Lia nodded, the irony of last night’s events mocking her. “He even asked for my phone number.”
“Then maybe when he calls, you let him know how much this restaurant means to you. Win him over to your side. Flirt, if you need to.”
“Suck his dick, if you need to,” Dax said with a grin, earning another smack from Julie.
Lia massaged her temples. “I love La Arietta, but I’m not going to stoop to prostitution to keep her. Besides, Adam is a businessman. The only way I’m going to change his mind is to show him that I’d do a better job of increasing his bottom line than Amadeus Schlittler.”
“And if you need help grabbing his bottom line, I’ll be more than happy to assist.” Dax hugged her again, growing serious. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry you’re having to deal with this. What can I do to help?”
Lia stood up and adjusted her chef’s jacket. “Make sure that we’re booked to maximum capacity every night. If he sees a line out the door, then he’ll know we’re making a profit.”
Julie hopped off the desk. “And what can I do?”
“Help me create some new dishes that will have people talking.” She opened the office door and saw her kitchen staff already prepping for the day’s meals. “Maybe we can even contact one of the local news programs and do a cooking demonstration.”
“Or maybe you can go on the news and get the people upset by telling them we’re being forced to close,” Julie suggested.
She stared at her kitchen, her gaze panning from one end to the other. This was her home, her dream, her true love. How far would she be willing to go to keep it? A lump rose into her throat. “If I have to do that, I will. But for now, let’s try to be civil.”
Chapter Four
Lia sprinkled thin ribbons of basil into the sauté pan while she flipped the linguine in the white wine and olive oil sauce. The Thursday night dinner rush was in full swing, and she wanted to make sure that every tiny detail was perfect. “Is that halibut ready?” she asked Julie.
“Coming off the grill now.”
Lia shimmied the pasta onto a clean plate, waited for Julie to top it with the fish, and then drizzled some of the remaining sauce on top. A few more shreds of basil for garnish, a quick wipe of the plate’s brim, and it was ready to go. “I need a runner.”
A member of her wait staff snatched the plate and disappeared into the dining room.
Dax appeared as the door swung back in. “You’ll never believe who just showed up and asked for a table without a reservation.”
Lia tossed the dirty pan in the sink and grabbed a clean one. “I don’t have time for guessing games.”
“Oh, but I think you’ll enjoy this.” He dragged her over to the window looking out into the dining room and pointed to a couple sitting at a corner table.
Lia didn’t recognize the woman, but there was no mistaking Adam Kelly. They were sitting next to each other, their heads bent in deep conversation. “He brought a date here?”
“That’s some nerve,” Julie said from over her shoulder while she whisked a fresh batch of vinaigrette. “Why did you seat them, Dax?”
“Because we had a last minute cancellation.” He pushed them away from the door as a waiter approached. “Don’t you two see? This is Lia’s chance to wow him with her cooking and make him look like a total shit in front of his date when she learns he’s closing this place down. It’s brilliant!”
Or I can just walk out there and whack him in the back of the head with this frying pan. The idea tempted her more than she cared to admit. She spun the pan around in her hand and weighed the consequences of her actions.
Unfortunately, Dax had the better plan. “Okay, fine, let him eat. In fact, I’m going to prepare a special treat for him and his date. Luis, take over on the pasta station.”
Dax dashed back into the dining room while Julie followed Lia over to a small workstation. “What do you have in mind?”
Lia held up two large prawns. “I have it on good authority that Mr. Kelly isn’t fond of shrimp. Maybe it’s time I changed his mind.”
“So what do you think of this place so far, Vanessa?” Adam asked as the waiter cleared the plates from their prima course.
She wiped the corners of her mouth with a napkin before replying in her posh British accent, “I would describe it as bold and inventive.”
“Tell me what you really think.”
All pretense dropped, and the food critic next him relaxed into the girl from Ipswich he’d befriended years ago at Oxford. “It’s bloody good, that’s what it is. I almost need a cigarette after that orgasmic risotto. Where did you find this place? It should be a must eat for anyone visiting Chicago.”
Adam shifted in his seat. If he could survive this conversation without admitting that he was in the process of shutting La Arietta down, he’d have to go out and by a lottery ticket. “I own this building, remember?”
“Well, it was a brilliant idea to open this place.” She fished around in her handbag for a tube of lipstick and a mirror. “Do anything you can to keep the owner because she’s going to be a star by the time I write this place up.”
He folded his hands together and cursed under his breath. “Actually, Amadeus Schlittler will be opening up a restaurant here soon.”
Vanessa froze, her lipstick hovering over her lips. “Please tell me you’re joking.”
Before he had a chance to answer, two waiters came with the meat course. Vanessa, being the foodie she was, had demanded they order five different entrees so they could sample them all. Adam made sure Lia’s Chicken Milano was one of them.
Vanessa put away her lipstick and placed her napkin back in her lap, but her glare was still firmly in place. “Adam?”
He stabbed the filet mignon with his fork and cut into it, his knife sliding through the tender meat like it was butter. “You should try the chicken.”
“Adam?” Her voice took on a feral growl, the one she reserved whenever someone got between her and her food. How she managed to keep such a trim figure amazed him.
“Can I pour you another glass of wine?”
She pried the bottle out of his hand. “What the fuck are you thinking?”
He laid his utensils on his plate and leaned back. The battle was lost. “He’s a bigger draw that the current owner. If I can get him here, then I can increase the rent on the other spaces in this building.”
“Amadeus Schlittler is a complete wanker who lost any culinary creativity decades ago. I wouldn’t be caught dead in one his restaurants, even if it was last place on Earth serving hot food.” She emptied the bottle into her glass and took a long drink. “You’re a fucking idiot if you think you’re better off closing this place down for him.”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. Vanessa just confirmed the doubt that had been eating away at him all week. “Then what do you suggest I do?”
“Tell Schlittler to piss off and marry this goddess.” She took a bite of the Chicken Milano and gave a moan of pure ecstasy that none of her lovers had probably ever extracted from her. “I’m serious.”
If she only knew how close she came to striking a nerve. He’d lost count how many times he’d pulled his phone out and stared at the number Lia had entered on Sunday. The problem was he didn’t know what he’d say to her if she answered his call. And none of it had anything to do with business. “I think it’s a little late for that. She hates me.”
“Now whatever gave you that idea?” a familiar voice said behind him. He turned around and found Lia standing there, holding a small plate in her hands.