by Olivia Burke
Contents
Title Page
Copyright
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Epilogue
Links
Fresh in the Kitchen
Book 2
Olivia Burke
Copyright © 2019 Blue Fire Media, LLC
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.
Olivia Burke
PO Box 21301
Roanoke, VA 24018
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters and incidents depicted in this novel are products of the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations or persons (living or dead) is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of author or publisher.
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Executive Chef Thomas Flanagan was in the weeds.
Ingredients were everywhere, the seafood still had to be rinsed and filleted, and his pastry guy had just showed up, late from picking up his kid from school. Tom hated being in the weeds.
So his attitude did not get better when Daniel rushed into the kitchen, excitement etched into his doughy face. “Have I got great news for you, Chef!”
Tom cast a wary look at his general manager. Great news could mean anything in Daniel’s book, from a bulk discount on ingredients to a local celebrity’s pending reservation at LUSH, the hottest restaurant in Crystal Springs. Daniel paused, obviously expecting some sort of similar enthusiasm or curiosity from the kitchen.
Tom reminded himself to have patience. “What is it, Dan?”
“You’ve won an award! Well, we all have, but you also received one all on your own,” Daniel said, the words rushing out of him. He was so excited he hadn’t even grimaced at Tom’s nickname for him, which he hated.
Tom traded a confused look with Seth, his sous chef, who held up a hand. “Uh, what kind of award? Like a real one, or the kind you get from Yelp reviewers?”
Tom snorted, but at the disappointment on Daniel’s face, he stopped. “C’mon then, tell us the good news so we can get back to work.”
Daniel brightened again, showing off the email on his phone. “The local magazine had their annual reader poll and thousands of people participated. LUSH swept the categories, including ‘Best Restaurant,’ ‘Best Staff,’ ‘Best Bartender,’ and ‘Best Chef!’”
“Wait, don’t we win those every year?” Seth asked.
“Yes, but they’re giving Tom a special one,” Daniel said. “The readers voted him as this year’s ‘Favorite Local.’ It’s a big deal, usually it’s nonprofit or business leaders who win, but Tom’s helped out the culinary school and appeared at a lot of local events this year to show we bring patrons into town for his food. And at twenty-seven, he’s the youngest person to ever win!”
Daniel practically vibrated with excitement, but the kitchen guys joined him with a round of applause this time. Seth pounded Tom on the back, while Tom waved off the congratulations. His pale cheeks flamed, matching his red hair and giving away his embarrassment. He spared a moment to take it in with pride; he’d worked hard this year to give back to the community and mentor young chefs, and while he didn’t care about recognition, it was still nice to know the work would pay off for his restaurant.
“Well, you did you say you wanted to grow our reputation,” Seth said to Tom where the others couldn’t hear. “Looks like this is a good start.”
Tom grinned. It was true they’d won these awards in the past, but this new one would surely bring in more people to eat at LUSH. He could take the restaurant to another level, just like he wanted. For a split second, he had the overwhelming urge to call and share the news with his father.
“You have to attend an awards reception,” Daniel said, quickly bringing him back to earth. “And do a photo shoot for the magazine.”
“A photo shoot?” Tom repeated in horror, snatching Daniel’s phone from his hands to double check the email. Sure enough, there it was in black and white–he, along with other winners, were to be photographed in a studio, as well as in the LUSH kitchen.
Tom shot dirty looks at the guys, who made little oohing and ahhing noises to mess with him.
“Think you’ll get your glamour shots at the same time as Hunter?” one of the guys kidded.
“Why would he have his picture taken with Hunter?” Daniel asked.
“Uh, because he won ‘Best Bartender?’”
“It isn’t Hunter,” Daniel said. “Aubrey won this year.”
The guys erupted with hoots and cheers, ensuring the losing bartender would most certainly catch an earful from the guys later. Hunter Stone had won that award the last three years in a row, and loved talking about it every chance he got.
“See if you can get in Aubrey’s pictures, Tommy, everyone’ll be too distracted to look at your ginger mug,” one of the guys chortled.
Tom snatched the dishtowel off Seth’s shoulder and threw it at him, making the kitchen laugh. Tom did, however, add, “It couldn’t hurt.”
He risked a glance to front of house at the beautiful Australian bartender. Aubrey Walker wasn’t just one of two of the popular LUSH bartenders; she was also a neighbor and one of Tom’s closest friends. She popped in whenever she wanted, whether for food or beer or just hanging out. He’d grown to know her very well over the last three years.
And had crushed on her since the day she walked in for an application. Their friendship made it all the more harder to be completely and totally head over heels in love with her. Only Seth–and consequently, his girlfriend, Natalie–knew his feelings for Aubrey, and Tom wanted to keep it that way. He was not the kind of guy who won the beautiful girl and didn’t want to risk his friendship with Aubrey.
Daniel left the kitchen, still smiling from ear to ear, while the kitchen got back to work. Tom shot a few glances to the front of house, Aubrey’s bright smile drawing his gaze towards the bar every time. On the fourth time, Seth caught him and chuckled.
“You know–”
“No,” Tom interrupted, waving his knife a little. “Don’t start that again, you know it’s never going to happen–”
“You just have to give it a chance, man,” Seth said, punching Tom lightly on the arm. “At least, that’s the advice you kept giving me, and look how well that worked out.”
Tom rolled his eyes. It was easy for his best friend to say, given Seth had reunited with the love of his life, Natalie, nearly three months ago.
“Look, we’ve been over this–Aubrey doesn’t date dudes like me. She wants guys that look–and act–like Hunter Stone. The one that showed up at her house last week drove a motorcycle, for crying out loud.”
“And it didn’t work out,” Seth reminded him. “Maybe she needs a guy like you, a nice guy with a four-door sedan and good manners.”
“Good manners.” Tom guffawed. “Try telling her that.”
Seth jerked a thumb behind him to the bar. “You want me to? ‘Cause I’ll go do it right now. Or better yet, Nat will. She’s dying to help you two see the light.”
“Don’t you dare,” Tom said, holding up a spatula in threat. “Or I’ll stick you in the basement for the next month to pickle everything in the fridge.”
Seth laughed good-naturedly, turning back to his station. Daniel popped his head in again, gesturing to Tom.
“Time for lineup, Chef.”
Tom groaned, wiping his hands and leaving instructions for the guys. Lineup only took a few minutes, but when one was in the weeds, every second counted. He headed out front to let the servers know about counts and specials. When he’d finished going over menu details and everyone made to move, until Daniel held a hand up.
“Hang on for just a sec, everyone,” Daniel said. “I have great news!”
Tom hid a smile as the servers shot each other looks, not unlike the ones his guys had exchanged. But when Daniel shared the news he’d told the kitchen, including Tom’s award, it earned hoots and cheers from the servers. Tom blushed again, especially when Aubrey ran around the bar to throw her arms around his waist.
“Congratulations, Tommy! You’ve worked so hard, you deserve it,” she said, blue eyes shining bright.
“Congrats to you, too,” he said.
Her brow furrowed, one arm still around his waist as she looked up at him. “Huh?”
“Best Bartender,” he said.
“Well, sure, but that’s always Hunter–”
Daniel grinned, cutting her off. “This year’s ‘Best Bartender’ award goes to Aubrey Walker at LUSH.”
Her mouth fell open and Tom couldn’t help but squeeze her closer to him in congratulations while he had the chance. Natalie and Katie shrieked, leaping off their barstools to hug Aubrey. Out of the corner of his eye, Tom watched Hunter, expecting him to deflate, but to his surprise, Hunter quickly made his way over to his bartending partner and gave her a big hug.
“Congrats, Walker,” Hunter said. “You more than earned it.”
Aubrey beamed at him, clearly glad he wasn’t mad about losing the title to her. “Thanks, Stone, that means a lot coming from the winner three years running.”
“I mean, it’s about time you earned your keep around here,” he retorted with a wink. “At least we get to keep that award in-house.”
She elbowed him in the ribs, while Adam and Rachel came in to congratulate her, too. Tom retreated from the servers, slipping back into his rightful place in his kitchen. Luckily, his guys had pitched in while he did lineup to clean up stations and prep the seafood as needed. Tom breathed a quiet sigh of relief, feeling a bit more in control than he had half an hour ago.
“How’d Stone take the news?” Seth asked under his breath.
“Surprisingly well,” Tom replied as he sharpened his knife. “Apparently he’s not much of a sore loser.”
“That’s disappointing,” Seth said. “I really wanted to razz him about it later.”
He and Tom shared a grin. Tom checked the clock, realizing the doors would open any second.
“Time to get to work, fellas. Let’s crush Friday night feast,” he said.
“Yes, Chef,” the others replied in unison, turning to their stations to focus on his menu.
It was time for Chef Thomas Flanagan to do what he did best: cook.
Aubrey Walker, LUSH bartender–now an award-winning one–and resident Australian in cozy Crystal Springs, was running late.
And Aubrey Walker did not run late, at least not to work. But instead of clocking in and setting up her bar, she was on the phone with her mother, discussing her older sister’s wedding.
For the fourth time today.
“Mum, I told you, I’ll take care of the kegs,” she said. “Dinah already said she’ll give them to me at cost.”
Dinah Edwards, the owner of LUSH, took good care of her staff, which was one of many reasons Aubrey loved working there. When Dinah heard her sister was getting married, she offered to help Aubrey with ordering a few special items that would’ve cost her a fortune anywhere else.
“That’s very generous of her,” Alice Walker said, sounding surprised across the line.
“See, it pays to be in the food industry,” Aubrey couldn’t help but say.
“Mm,” her mother replied, and Aubrey knew her retort had gone in one ear and out the other. She was probably on to the next important wedding task.
“I’ve gotta get to work, Mum, is there anything else?”
“I’m sure I’ll find a few more items for your to-do list,” Alice replied. “Including a few for me. This day isn’t just for Chloe, you know.”
“I know, Mum,” Aubrey said, rolling her blue eyes. “This is a chance to show up the rest of the family and show off our superiority for moving to America, blah, blah, blah.”
“That’s enough, Aubrey,” Alice said sharply. “Don’t be so glib. This is certainly not about superiority. But as our entire family is flying halfway across the world to be here and it’s been years since we’ve seen most of them, of course I want to showcase the best parts of our life.”
“Well, I’m sure a five-tiered cake and plenty of cute guest favors will show them,” Aubrey said, faking cheer into her tone. She reached the back door of the LUSH restaurant, pausing on the back deck. “I gotta go, Mum, I’m at work.”
“Yes, well, enjoy slinging drinks all evening. Talk soon.”
Her mother hung up without another word. Shoving her phone into her bag, Aubrey took a deep breath, willing herself to just get through tonight's shift.
Her phone buzzed with a new text from her mum. Will you be delivering the kegs as well?
Aubrey’s head fell back as she stared up at the blue sky in irritation. She growled as she typed out a quick yes and yanked the door open, stepping into the best restaurant in town. She tugged her hoodie over her head, down to her standard snug black tank top that showed off tan arms and a half-sleeve of tattoos on her left arm. Glad for the cool air circulating behind the bar, she stuffed her things in a little cubby for personal items and clocked in.
Hunter Stone, her bartender partner-in-crime, gave her a little wave. “All good, Walker?”
“Yeah, sorry about the time,” Aubrey said.
“You’ve covered for me more than a few times,” Hunter said, winking. “It’s no problem.”
Hunter turned to the bar to fill her in on what he’d already done. Aubrey knew it like the back of her hand, and instead took a minute to study Hunter. Something about him had changed in the last few weeks, but she wasn’t quite sure what it was, aside from the close shave that rid him of the usual five o’clock shadow on his jaw. He’d been quieter lately, less obnoxious with his enormous ego. At least it made working with him more bearable. Personally, Aubrey was just pleased he’d been happy for her award; she’d never expected to win, and had been pleasantly surprised that he’d been so supportive.
He finished up his list and gestured to the back. “I’m gonna grab some stuff from the fridge.”
She nodded at him and began setup for the night. Natalie came around the corner, and Aubrey shot a relieved smile at her.
“I didn’t know you were in tonight.”
“I picked up Katie’s shift,” Natalie explained. “Everything okay?”
Aubrey blew out a breath. “Yeah, just silly family stuff.”
“You mean wedding stuff.” Natalie had been Aubrey’s sounding board for the last few weeks, patiently listening to her friend’s rants about her sister’s impending nuptia
ls.
“Honestly, I need her to hurry up and get married so I can get back to my own life,” Aubrey said, wiping down the bar. “I feel like the last month has been nothing but wedding details.”
“I assumed that’s what happens when your sister gets married,” Natalie said, shrugging. “Or if you’re a bridesmaid. And you’re both, so I could see where this might not be fun for you.”
Natalie held up a finger and disappeared into the service station a few feet away. Aubrey’s phone buzzed and she resisted the urge to throw it down the hallway. Or maybe into the fridge out back …
Against her better judgment, she glanced down to the screen. Aubrey groaned at the text from her sister, tossing her phone back into her bag behind the bar.
Natalie came back to the bar with two cups of freshly brewed coffee, setting them beside her as she got to work folding napkins. Audrey grabbed her cup, savoring the hot black liquid and blessed caffeine.
“What’s wrong?” Natalie asked, calm as ever.
“Just my bridezilla sister again,” Aubrey replied, checking ingredients off her list. “This wedding has turned her into an even bigger nightmare than usual.”
“How so?”
“Well, this time it was to kindly remind me I haven’t responded with the name of my plus one,” Aubrey explained. “And that I need to let her know ‘as soon as I find one off the street’ so she can account for the seating chart.”
Natalie grimaced. “Yikes.”
“I know my track record isn’t great when it comes to guys,” Aubrey said, sighing, “but there’s no need for such a low blow.”
Natalie snorted. “Especially that last one. Didn’t he wreck his motorcycle trying to do some dumb stunt?”
Aubrey rolled her blue eyes. “Shame, really, he was such a cute idiot.”
“Just goes to show that muscles and tattoos don’t make up for a good personality.”
“I know, I just like them so much,” Aubrey said, pouting a little.
“You know, I can go with you to the wedding if you want.” Natalie paused over a sip of coffee. “But you should know I don’t put out on the first date.”