“I will step aside and allow Toby to do whatever he wants forever!” Chef Avery pulled off his hat and threw it on the floor. “I only came to this backwater town because I wanted the chance to ski whenever the urge hit me. I don’t have to tolerate this any longer. I will call you tomorrow with an address where you can mail my final check.” He grabbed his knives, rolled them in his coat, and stomped off through the back door.
“Frannie is going to murder me,” Frank said under his breath. Then he turned to Toby. “Can you and Andrew handle the kitchen the rest of the night?”
“Yes,” Toby replied, and Andrew nodded.
“All right, then. Let’s start with that controversial dish.”
Toby sprang into action, acutely aware of how long that customer had been waiting for her food. Frank delivered it to her table personally and brought back her compliments. “I made sure to tell her who the real chef was,” Frank said to Toby, who couldn’t help but feel a little proud at that.
Toby and Andrew worked well together that evening. Toby was a little stressed out, having worked in the diner that morning and now running the kitchen at Frannie’s, but the adrenaline flowing through his veins kept him going, and he had to say, he was enjoying it. He was able to push his worries about Sloane to the back of his mind and concentrate on making beautiful food.
When at last the restaurant closed, Frank asked Toby to step into the office. Toby glanced at the clock, wondering how long this was going to take and hoping he wouldn’t keep Sloane waiting a long time. If she was mad at him, being late would only make things worse.
“Toby, have a seat,” Frannie said, waving him to a chair.
He sat down, resting his elbows on his knees.
“One of the plates you made tonight was actually for me. I wanted to taste your cooking for myself, and I have to say, it was excellent,” she went on. “Frank and I talked it over, and we’d like to offer you the position of chef here at Frannie’s. You understand what we’re all about, and we feel that you would be a valuable asset to our kitchen.”
Toby sat up straight and blinked. That wasn’t at all what he’d been expecting. “I don’t know what to say,” he stammered. “I wonder if I could have some time to think about it.”
“Of course,” Frannie replied. “Are you willing to substitute in the kitchen until your decision is made? Chef Avery left us in a tight spot, walking off like that.”
“Yes, I’ll definitely step in,” Toby replied. “And I’ll have your answer soon. This just caught me off guard.”
Frank clapped his hand on Toby’s shoulder. “You’re a fine young man. We appreciate everything you’ve done to help us.”
Toby nodded. “My pleasure, sir.”
His head whirled all the way over to Sloane’s.
Chapter Fourteen
Sloane sat on the edge of her couch, her knees bouncing. Where was Toby? It was getting really late, and she needed to talk to him. She needed to know that the fate of the diner was settled or she’d never get to sleep that night, and she needed to sleep because her head was killing her.
Stupid car accident.
At last, she heard a soft tap on her door, and she opened it to find Toby there. It had started to snow, and the shoulders of his coat and the top of his head were dusted with fast-melting flakes. “Come in,” she said, holding the door open wide.
He stepped in and tossed his coat over the back of a chair. “It’s getting cold out there.”
“Too cold for ice cream?”
“Yeah, I think so. Do you have any hot chocolate?”
“Sure do.” She filled the kettle and set it on the stove, glad for something to do with her hands while she tried to figure out what to say. This wasn’t the easiest subject to bring up.
“So, I have some news,” Toby said, taking a seat on one of the barstools.
“Oh? What’s that?”
“Well, Chef Avery threw another tantrum tonight, and I’ve been asked to take over as chef at Frannie’s.”
Sloane’s hands stilled. This was what he’d dreamed of when he went to culinary school—what he’d been dreaming of since he’d been forced to leave his last restaurant. This was fantastic news, but she couldn’t find it within herself to be happy for him. She felt very selfish instead.
“That’s great,” she said at last. “You must be so excited.”
“I’m more overwhelmed than anything. I told them I needed time to think about it, but that I’d fill in for sure until I decided.”
Sloane nodded. “That’s good. Taking time to think is probably the best idea.”
“So, what did you want to talk to me about?”
“I don’t even know if I ought to bring it up now.”
Toby lifted an eyebrow. “Why? What’s going on?”
Sloane pulled two cups down from the shelf. “I talked to Eddie on the phone this morning,” she said.
“Oh? How’s he doing?”
“He seems to be doing really well. But . . .”
Toby stood up, walked around the counter, and put his hand on Sloane’s shoulder. “Whatever it is, just say it. Even if it’s unpleasant. We’ll figure it out.”
She pulled in a shuddering breath. Having him so close did make her feel better even if it did make her heart skip a beat, which created a whole different set of problems. She looked up into his eyes. “Eddie doesn’t think he can cook anymore. He’s asked if the three of us can take over the diner, and he’ll run it from the office. But you just got that great offer from Frannie’s, and I don’t want to interfere with that,” she rushed on. “I’ll totally understand, and we’ll find another cook.”
“Wait, wait, wait,” Toby said, taking a step back and holding up both hands. “Are you asking me to work at the diner full time?”
“That was Eddie’s idea, and of course he doesn’t know about your other offer,” Sloane said. “He’ll understand too.”
Toby plopped back down on the stool. “Wow. This is just . . . wow.”
Sloane concentrated on the can of hot chocolate mix in her hand, blinking furiously. Of course they could find another cook. It wouldn’t be easy, but they could advertise online as well as in the local paper, and Eddie might feel well enough to train a new cook. It would never be the same, but it wouldn’t have been the same with Toby, either. She’d just have to accept that.
“Yes.”
She looked up. “What?”
“Yes. I’ll take the job.”
“But . . . but Frannie’s . . . they need you.”
Toby laughed. “Isn’t this kind of funny? I’ve got two restaurants, both run by older owners, both desperately needing my help. The similarities here are blowing my mind. But really, my choice is clear. It’s the diner all the way.”
“But why? I mean, we’re offering you the position of diner cook. They’re offering you the position of chef. That’s a ton more prestigious.”
He grinned. “Hey, you know me—I’m not in it for the prestige. I’m a waiter, remember?”
“So, why aren’t you?”
“Why aren’t you what?”
“In it for the prestige.”
He shrugged. “I’ve seen what that kind of thing does to people. I’d rather do what I love with people I love, and enjoy my life on my own terms.”
The kettle whistled, and Sloane pulled it off the stove. “And so you’re choosing the diner?” She just had to be sure of what she was hearing.
“And so I’m choosing the diner.”
The tears she’d been trying to hold back now started to fall. Stupid tears. “Sorry. I’m just so relieved.”
“Hey, I’m relieved too. I thought you’d asked me to come over so you could yell at me or something.”
She laughed through her tears. “What would I have to yell at you about?”
“Um, maybe the fact that I kissed you.”
Heat flooded her cheeks. “You think that upset me?”
“I wasn’t sure. I was feeling insecure.”
She looked down at the counter, too embarrassed to meet his eyes. “That kiss didn’t upset me. At all.”
“Not at all?”
“Not in the slightest.”
“Good.” She could almost hear the grin in his voice. “Now, may I please have some of that hot chocolate? I really am kind of cold.”
***
The diner was in full swing the next morning when Chad Avery walked into the diner. Sloane looked up from the cash register, saw him, blinked, and finished handing change to Lauren. “Here you go,” she said. “Come back soon.”
“You know I will,” Lauren said over her shoulder as she walked away.
Chad glanced around as he approached the counter. “I’ve come to say goodbye,” he said. “I’m flying out of Denver in two hours. I have an offer at a restaurant in New York.”
“Already? I thought you left Frannie’s just last night.”
“I did, but this was a standing offer that was made to me over three months ago, and I’ve just decided to take it. I didn’t want to leave without thanking you for the few enjoyable moments we were able to spend together.”
Sloane laughed. “Yes, there were only a few of them before other things got in the way. I wish you the best.”
“And I wish the same for you.” He gave her a nod, put his hat back on, and left.
“Was that Chef Avery?” Toby asked, coming out from the kitchen for a minute.
“Yep, it was. He wanted to say goodbye to me.” Sloane frowned. “It was kind of weird, actually.”
“Anything having to do with Chef Avery is weird, I’ve decided,” Toby replied. “I’m not sorry to see him leave town, but I do feel sorry for him personally. It can’t be fun, walking around with all that anger.”
“I agree. Now, how about that bacon cheeseburger?”
“Coming right up.”
Taci came in just then, a few minutes early, like Sloane had asked her to do. Sloane told her about Eddie’s plan, and her eyes lit up. “Of course I’ll stay. I’m just so glad that Eddie will be back, no matter how we get him.” She paused. “And this is extra good news for you—getting to keep Eddie and Toby.”
“Hush,” Sloane whispered, glancing around to see if anyone was within earshot. “I’m not keeping Toby.”
“Hmm-hmmm. You just keep protesting and see how far that gets you,” Taci said, grinning at Sloane as she walked away, entirely too proud of herself.
***
At ten thirty that night, Sloane flipped off the TV and stood up, totally worn out. Her head was feeling some better, but she still tired easily, and she couldn’t wait for that particular symptom to go away. She was just about to change into her pajamas when she got a text.
Can I come over?
She smiled. Sure.
Not two seconds later, she heard a tap on the door. She opened it to find Toby standing there, grinning.
“You texted me from my front porch? What if I’d said no?”
“I don’t live that far away,” he said with a shrug. “I could have gone home. But I knew you’d let me in.”
“Because I’m so predictable?”
“Because you’re so kind and thoughtful and generous.”
She snorted. “Whatever. Come in.”
He tossed his coat over the back of the same chair as the previous night.
“Ice cream? Hot chocolate? I have a frozen pizza.” She paused. “But you probably ate at Frannie’s and don’t want a frozen pizza.”
“You’re right, but I’ll take you up on that another time. I’m not here to eat your food.”
She blinked. “You’re not? What other reason is there to pay a call at this time of night?”
He patted the couch. “Come here. Sit by me.”
She eyed him suspiciously. “You want me to come all the way over there? That’s got to be . . . ten feet. That’s a long way to go when I don’t know what I’m going for.”
“It will be worth your trip. At least, I hope it will be.”
“Is there a refund on my money if I don’t think the trip was worth it?”
“Absolutely.”
“All right, then.” She crossed the floor and sat down next to him. “Okay, dazzle me. What’s so awesome about the couch?”
“It’s very couch-like and not so stand-uppy.”
“You’re right. It’s very couch-like. But why am I here?”
Toby reached his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.
“Oh, that’s why I’m here,” she said, scooting a little closer. “You could have just said so.”
“You don’t think that would have been kind of awkward—‘Come here so I can put my arm around you’?”
“Maybe, or maybe not.”
He chuckled. “I’ll try that next time, then. But it’s more than just putting my arm around you. I wanted to talk to you.”
She sat upright. “Oh, no. Another restaurant owned by little old people has made you an offer, right?”
“No. Just the two. And you already know what I’ve decided—I haven’t changed my mind.”
“Oh, good.” She snuggled back down into his arm, deciding she liked it there very much. “What’s up?”
He ran his fingers along the top of her shoulder. “Remember that car accident the other day?”
“Which one? Oh, you mean the one where we almost went off the side of the road—that one?”
“Yep.”
“Nope, I don’t remember it at all.”
“Too bad. It was actually quite a turning point for me.”
The sensation of his fingers on her shoulder was making Sloane feel drowsy. “It was?”
“Yeah. I remember looking over at you, seeing you struggling to wake up, and realizing something very important. Realizing that I wasn’t ready to lose you.”
Her heart gave another one of those erratic thumps, and suddenly she was wide awake and listening.
“This is crazy, because I know we just met—”
“Are you about to sing?” she interrupted. “Because if you are, I think you got those two sentences backwards.”
He touched the tip of her nose with his other hand. “I’m not about to sing. I’m about to tell you that I’d like to see where this is going, this thing between us.” He reached into his shirt pocket. “My mom always used to tell a story about meeting my dad in high school, and how he gave her his class ring and she wore it on a chain around her neck while they went steady.” He held up the item he’d taken from his pocket. It was a class ring on a chain. “I had to dig through four boxes to find this—it was under my diploma, so I hope you appreciate all my hard work in getting this for you. Will you go steady with me, Sloane?”
She giggled. “You’re asking me to go steady?”
“Yeah. It’s too soon for anything more serious, but I want there to be something, some sort of promise between us.” He looked into her eyes. “You’re the smartest, funniest, most beautiful girl I’ve ever met, and I’d like the chance to get to know you better. What do you say?”
“I’ve never been given a class ring before,” she said. “Yes, Toby, I’ll go steady with you.”
She held her hair out of the way while he fastened the chain around her neck, then turned back toward him. “Does this mean you’re taking me to the prom?”
“Absolutely,” he said, threading his fingers through her hair and bringing her close for another kiss, this one melting her all the way down to her toes.
Epilogue
“How many cherry pies this year?” Eddie called out from the office.
“Only six,” Sloane replied, walking through the kitchen and leaning against the doorjamb. “But we’d better do a couple of extra apple and pumpkin.”
Eddie made a note on the tablet in front of him. He’d lost a little weight while he was in the hospital, but she couldn’t say that was a bad thing, and he had more color in his face than he’d had for a while. She wondered how long those blockages had been in his heart and how much h
e’d been suffering without anyone knowing it.
“How’s Toby’s merengue?” Eddie asked.
“I don’t know. Toby, how’s your merengue?” she called over her shoulder.
Toby appeared at her side, slipping his arm around her waist. “My merengue is the lightest, fluffiest, most merengue-y merengue you’ve ever had,” he said.
Eddie grunted. “We’ll see about that. Go make a lemon merengue pie. You’re auditioning for Thanksgiving dinner.”
Toby gave him a salute. “On it, boss.”
Sloane grinned as she watched Toby head back to work.
“He’s good, that one,” Eddie said.
“How did you know?” Sloane asked. “You saw something in him before I ever did. Are you psychic or something?”
“No, you saw it first. It was written all over you. I just discovered he could cook, that’s all.”
Sloane laughed. “Well, whoever saw it first, we’re both brilliant.” She bent down and kissed Eddie’s cheek. “I’m so glad you’re back.”
“Aw, get to work,” he said, waving her away, but she knew he was pleased.
THE END
Other books in the Main Street Merchants series:
And Something Blue
For Love or Money
Five Golden Rings
Just Desserts
Between the Lines
In the Stars
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Sugar And Spice (Main Street Merchants Book 7) Page 11