“You all right, Miss Hunter?”
“Yes. Hungry, I think. I’ve been running all day.”
“All day? All year, more like.”
She was definitely right about that. And now, I’d be running even more. I needed to connect with Luc, let him know I was unquestionably interested in the apprenticeship. And I needed a spare moment to return Rayne’s call. I just wanted to make sure I was in the right frame of mind when I did so. I hadn’t had a chance to get there yet.
“Look how beautiful,” Dorothea said, standing me in front of the mirror.
The vintage dress was as stunning as ever. One of the sleeves had ripped a bit and the satin sash needed to be fixed, but the hem was the right length. It was so lovely. And more than that, I caught the light scent of my mother’s perfume on the fabric. Was there anything more perfect than feeling her in that moment?
Carefully, Dorothea eyed the waist. “About two inches will do. I’ll just fold it in, don’t want to cut the actual gown. No need to hem. You and your mother must have been the same height.”
“Yes,” I replied, staring at myself in the mirror. How happy my mother had looked the night she wore this gown. I didn’t even know where she’d gone. I suddenly missed her terribly.
“You have a date for the ball?” Dorothea asked as she helped me out of the gown.
“Yes. I’m going with Rayne.”
Dorothea chuckled. “Better make sure he has a tux.”
“Already checked,” I replied, joining her laughter.
“I like that boy, though. He turns the ladies’ heads, but he doesn’t seem to have his mind on anyone. He’s just busy out in his fields. Are you going as friends or…”
“As more than friends…a new development.”
“Well, how about that? And here I always imagined you with some CEO, not a beekeeper. It’s a good choice, Viola. That kind of man will always stay by your side.”
“You think?”
She smiled at me. “Yes.”
My cell chimed. I was late. “Crap.”
“Good thing you’re the boss, Miss Hunter.”
“You’re right about that,” I said then looked at the dress. “You sure it will be okay?”
“Oh, we’ll get it ready in time. Not a thing to worry about. Now you just need to find a pair of shoes.”
Shoes. Dammit. Well, that was a problem for tomorrow. And a good problem to have. I was never sad to have a reason to look for a new pair of shoes.
I arrived at the restaurant half an hour later to find the place completely packed. There were at least two dozen people outside waiting for a table. And, of course, problems abounded. The outside heat lamps weren’t working, the lamb chops delivered that morning—for the evening’s special—had gone bad, and two waitresses were out with the flu. While I’d agreed to take over the management of the restaurant for the first year, nothing could have been further from my real intentions and desires.
Taking a deep breath, I dove in and spent the night racing from problem to problem. As I waited tables, made salads, ran the register, and called repairmen, it seemed like the world was working in chorus to remind me just how far being a restaurateur was from my real dream.
Pausing just a moment at the bar to take a break, I pulled out my phone to see I’d missed calls from Horatio, Alice, and two calls from Rayne.
Crap.
I was never going to get a chance to call him. My feet hurt, I was sweating, and I was totally exhausted, but it no longer mattered. I didn’t want him second guessing. I’d grab a quick drink then give him a call.
I slipped behind the bar a moment to pour myself a glass of water when I heard a familiar laugh coming from the other end of the bar. Much to my surprise, I spotted a familiar redhead sitting there. Cassidy. She was eating a huge basket of calamari while Rick was slinging mixed drinks like a madman, all the while flirting with the girl.
Now, what in the hell was she doing here? Why did I keep running into this girl?
“Cassidy?” I called, heading down to the end of the bar.
“Miss Hunter?” one of the chefs called from the kitchen.
“One sec,” I replied.
“Hey, Vi,” Cassidy said, grinning at me. “Awesome calamari.”
“Thanks. I’m surprised to see you.”
“Yeah, long day. I wanted something tasty to reward myself,” she said. “And I’m trying to convince Rick to come to my hot yoga class.”
Rick laughed as he dropped cherries into the drinks he was making.
“Well, did she convince you?” I asked him.
“Apparently I’m going to sweat my ass off first thing tomorrow morning.”
I grinned. “I’m sure you can handle it.”
Rick shook his head, laughing, then lifted a tray of drinks. “We’ll see. Excuse me a sec,” he said then took the drinks to one of the servers.
“I sure as hell hope he doesn’t sweat that sweet ass off. The food here is awesome, but the view is even better,” Cassidy said, lifting her drink and taking a sip. “Fixation worthy, even.”
“Rick is single, but I thought maybe you and Rayne…”
“Miss Hunter?” one of the chefs called again.
“Just one minute,” I replied.
Cassidy burst out laughing. “Rayne? No way. He’s like a brother to me. Besides, he’s got his eyes…elsewhere,” she said, winking at me. “Oh! Speaking of, did he call you back?” she asked, popping another bite.
I was an idiot. My worries about Rayne and Cassidy were completely pointless. I was stupid to think Rayne would play me. He wasn’t like that. I suddenly felt very childish.
“Yeah, um, he tried,” I said, pulling out my phone. “I’ve been swamped all day. We can’t reach one another. I was just going to call him back.”
“He was trying on tuxes when you called this morning. I went with him, tried to save you some embarrassment.”
“You were at the suit shop?”
She nodded then lifted the olive out her drink. “Yeah. I think he was afraid he was going to mess up and look stupid. You know his wardrobe basically consists of jeans and flannel shirts. He wanted some advice. I think he only called me because he was too nervous to ask your brother. Well, anyway… Um, I think that guy is bleeding,” she said then, pointing behind me.
I turned around to see Charles, the sous chef, trying to discreetly hold a heavy towel around his hand. The fabric was turning red, and the chef was turning white.
Oh shit. “Charles? What happened?”
“Knife slipped. I need to go to the ER.”
“Oh god. I’m so sorry. We’ll get Kenny to drive,” I said, referring to one of the bus boys. “I’ll call Erica in to work.”
“You sure? The place is nuts.”
“You’re bleeding,” I said, aghast. “Of course I’m sure. I insist.”
He nodded then headed into the back.
“Sorry, I need to go,” I told Cassidy. “Nice to see you again. And thanks for your help with the suit,” I said with a grin, suddenly feeling a bit guilty for forcing Rayne so far out of his element just to please me. Maybe I was doing the wrong thing. “Oh, and enjoy the yoga tomorrow.”
Cassidy winked at me, tipping her drink in toast.
I hurried back to the kitchen. Kenny had already grabbed his keys, and he and Charles were headed out the back door.