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Authors: Carolyn Hughey
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test.”
“Super. I’ve been toying with a recipe at home using scallops that I’d like to try on you. Sound okay?”
“Sure, we can try it. Surprise me, and I’ll taste it later.”
Gabi liked the reaction she was receiving so far and hoped it would continue in that manner. She didn’t want her staff to think she was going to let ownership of this new business go to her head. She was convinced if she gave them some responsibility and the chance to exercise their creativity, they’d take a stronger interest in their jobs. And she hoped, in time, Corey would jump on the bandwagon with the rest, because she didn’t need a sour puss ruining her day—or causing her to focus more on catering to his moods than on her job.
Walking out into the dining room, Gabi noticed the waitstaff huddled around one of the tables, busy talking and not working. She’d met them all when she’d first started while waiting for the closing. It was during that time she realized she wasn’t terribly fond of Rosemary, whom she’d viewed as slightly arrogant and marching to her own drummer instead of Nell’s. When Rosemary saw Gabi enter the dining room, her body jerked and she gave a noticeablekick to Brian to alert him. Dan, the senior waiter, winked at Gabi, a slight grin on his face when Brian and Rosemary stood up abruptly and started working, guilty expressions crowding their faces. Gabi didn’t say anything. She’d just watch for the next time to make sure the staff wasn’t resting on their laurels instead of doing their jobs. She’d previously thought Brian was a hustler, but it appeared he was easily swayed by others. She’d make note of that. In Rosemary’s case, with two women, both having strong personalities, there were bound to be clashes. Gabi blew out a breath of air. The last thing she wanted or needed on her staff was another problem. Corey was more than enough. Judging from Rosemary’s expression, she suspected it wouldn’t be long before the woman gave her notice. And if she didn’t leave on her own, Gabi would fire her. But the most important thing she wanted the staff to know is that she would be fair, but she wasn’t a pushover either. She continued to the reception area to check on the reservations.
It didn’t take Rosemary long before she made her way over to Gabi and announced today was her last day. “I’m sorry if this seems abrupt,” Rosemary said, “but I’ve been wanting to quit for a while, and since you’ll probably want to hire your own people anyway, I figured now would be a good time to make a clean break.” They exchanged cordial conversation, and Gabi wished her luck, thankful that Rosemary had saved her the trouble.
Corey jumped into the shower, allowed the hot water to beat against his back, and tried to erase the crappy day he’d had. He felt a lot of resentment toward Nell for leaving him with the impression she was still thinking about holding his loan. The fact that she’d sprung the announcement about Gabi being the new owner, stuck in his throat like a knife being twisted. The staff all knew he wanted to buy the restaurant and were probably laughing behind his back. Disappointment dug into the well of his stomach. Gabi hadn’t interfered the first month—she probably wanted to see if he was capable. But judging from what he’d seen in Gabi’s demeanor, there was no way she was going to let him run the kitchen the way he wanted. Running the show was going to be her gig, not his. He felt a heavy sadness settle into his chest. He needed this job more than he could say, but this new owner would probably clip his wings, and he’d never get to develop his own ideas. More importantly, with the resentment he was feeling, he wasn’t even sure he could work for Gabi—regardless of how cute she was.
Corey rubbed the stiffness in his neck to relieve the tension and shook his head in dismay. Cripes, he’d already lost sleep over Gabi, and it wasn’t because she was the new
“Super. I’ve been toying with a recipe at home using scallops that I’d like to try on you. Sound okay?”
“Sure, we can try it. Surprise me, and I’ll taste it later.”
Gabi liked the reaction she was receiving so far and hoped it would continue in that manner. She didn’t want her staff to think she was going to let ownership of this new business go to her head. She was convinced if she gave them some responsibility and the chance to exercise their creativity, they’d take a stronger interest in their jobs. And she hoped, in time, Corey would jump on the bandwagon with the rest, because she didn’t need a sour puss ruining her day—or causing her to focus more on catering to his moods than on her job.
Walking out into the dining room, Gabi noticed the waitstaff huddled around one of the tables, busy talking and not working. She’d met them all when she’d first started while waiting for the closing. It was during that time she realized she wasn’t terribly fond of Rosemary, whom she’d viewed as slightly arrogant and marching to her own drummer instead of Nell’s. When Rosemary saw Gabi enter the dining room, her body jerked and she gave a noticeablekick to Brian to alert him. Dan, the senior waiter, winked at Gabi, a slight grin on his face when Brian and Rosemary stood up abruptly and started working, guilty expressions crowding their faces. Gabi didn’t say anything. She’d just watch for the next time to make sure the staff wasn’t resting on their laurels instead of doing their jobs. She’d previously thought Brian was a hustler, but it appeared he was easily swayed by others. She’d make note of that. In Rosemary’s case, with two women, both having strong personalities, there were bound to be clashes. Gabi blew out a breath of air. The last thing she wanted or needed on her staff was another problem. Corey was more than enough. Judging from Rosemary’s expression, she suspected it wouldn’t be long before the woman gave her notice. And if she didn’t leave on her own, Gabi would fire her. But the most important thing she wanted the staff to know is that she would be fair, but she wasn’t a pushover either. She continued to the reception area to check on the reservations.
It didn’t take Rosemary long before she made her way over to Gabi and announced today was her last day. “I’m sorry if this seems abrupt,” Rosemary said, “but I’ve been wanting to quit for a while, and since you’ll probably want to hire your own people anyway, I figured now would be a good time to make a clean break.” They exchanged cordial conversation, and Gabi wished her luck, thankful that Rosemary had saved her the trouble.
Corey jumped into the shower, allowed the hot water to beat against his back, and tried to erase the crappy day he’d had. He felt a lot of resentment toward Nell for leaving him with the impression she was still thinking about holding his loan. The fact that she’d sprung the announcement about Gabi being the new owner, stuck in his throat like a knife being twisted. The staff all knew he wanted to buy the restaurant and were probably laughing behind his back. Disappointment dug into the well of his stomach. Gabi hadn’t interfered the first month—she probably wanted to see if he was capable. But judging from what he’d seen in Gabi’s demeanor, there was no way she was going to let him run the kitchen the way he wanted. Running the show was going to be her gig, not his. He felt a heavy sadness settle into his chest. He needed this job more than he could say, but this new owner would probably clip his wings, and he’d never get to develop his own ideas. More importantly, with the resentment he was feeling, he wasn’t even sure he could work for Gabi—regardless of how cute she was.
Corey rubbed the stiffness in his neck to relieve the tension and shook his head in dismay. Cripes, he’d already lost sleep over Gabi, and it wasn’t because she was the new
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