Read Online What Love Tastes Like by Zuri Day - Free Book Online

version.” Tiffany tasted another spoonful and shook her head. “The shrimp is hard, the clams are rubbery, everything is overcooked. I don’t think the herbs they used were fresh, and I’d bet my first paycheck that these tomatoes came from a jar or can.”
    â€œAll of my tomatoes come from a can, what’s wrong with that? The people coming into this restaurant probably haven’t even heard of Chef Ravioli, let alone eaten his food. This is LA, not Rome, Tiffany. You’re not going to find the same level of cuisine here that you do in Italy.”
    â€œOf course I can. I just need to keep doing my research until I find the place that has that kind of standard, that’s all. And it’s Chef Riatoli, not Ravioli.”
    â€œLook, whether the fool’s name is rigatoni or macaroni isn’t the point. The point is that you need to stop hiding from Nick Rollins and apply to work at the restaurant in his hotel, as he suggested. You know he has what you’re looking for when it comes to Italian cooking, and you know you want to work there. I don’t know why you’re being so stubborn.”
    Tiffany knew Joy was right but, true to her obstinate nature, refused to agree. “Nick Rollins isn’t the only one in LA who knows pasta,” she countered. “There are plenty of places I can work besides at his hotel.”
    â€œOh really? Is that why you’re sitting here fussing over some nasty shrimp? Tiffany, what would be so bad about you calling and asking about the job he offered?”
    â€œIf he were really serious about my working for him, he would have contacted me by now.”
    â€œHe did contact you, in a way.”
    â€œWhen?”
    â€œWhen he sent the bouquet of flowers to where you worked in Italy. Didn’t you tell me the note included a reminder to call the hotel when you got back to town?”
    Tiffany shrugged. “Girl, those flowers were an ‘I’m sorry’ bouquet. He probably didn’t think of me past the minute it took him to stop by his secretary’s desk and give her my name.”
    â€œYou’re scared, that’s what it is.”
    â€œOh, please. Scared of what?”
    â€œScared that the next time Nick gets a hold of you, he’ll put his pole in the hole and turn a sistah the rest of the way out. To hear you tell it, he had you singing soprano like Whitney on a good day. You’re not used to being handled by a man like that.”
    â€œI think the note was a high C, I’ll admit that. And I’ll also admit that if I go to work for him, it will be strictly cooking, not coochie contact. I’m not one to mix business with pleasure.”
    â€œYou’re not one to mix much of anything with pleasure because you don’t do pleasure much…but I digress. Let’s put the c-word aside for a minute and look at this strictly from a professional point of view.”
    They paused while the waiter came to take away Joy’s clean bowl and Tiffany’s half-eaten stew. Soon, steaming plates of eggplant parmesan and three-cheese lasagna were placed before them.
    Joy dug into her food with gusto, savored the bite, and then continued. “What is your ultimate goal where food is concerned? To own your own restaurant, right?’
    Tiffany nodded, her mouth full of food.
    â€œThen what better place than an upscale hotel to make the kinds of contacts you need and gain the experience that will help you in your own business later on? I mean, besides the restaurant itself, hotels cater parties and host private dinners. At least that’s how it happens in the novels I read. You’ll probably have a variety of different menus available depending on the size of the crowds you’re serving. You’ll be able to continue to work in the upscale environment to which you’ve obviously become accustomed and, if you’re lucky, you’ll get your man back. How’s your