In Over Her Head: An Anchor Island Novel

by Terri Osburn

  She snarled, then huffed as steely-blue eyes dropped to her bottle. “I suppose the way they had it before could work, but it isn’t how I envisioned my kitchen.”

  “So long as they create your food to your standards, what does it matter where the mise en place is done?”

  “The logistics of the kitchen is not the problem,” she mumbled. “They don’t trust me.”

  “Do you trust them?” he asked, pretty sure he knew the answer.

  “I don’t trust anyone,” she admitted.

  “Then there’s your problem.”

  “Look,” she said, sitting up and setting her beer on the table. “Other than what Jackson made me over the weekend, I’ve never tasted the food they’re used to making. And I didn’t get to taste anything today either because I sent them home early after hearing them agree about what a bitch I am. How do I know if they can cook my food?”

  Nick scratched his head, unsure how to explain this in a way she might hear it.

  “How many restaurants have you worked in?” he asked.

  “A lot, why?”

  “So each time you got hired, they had to believe that you could do the job, having nothing to go on but your resume.”

  “I’m a trained chef. Of course I could do the job.”

  “Then you expected them to trust you.”

  “Yes.”

  “But you won’t trust the people who served hundreds if not thousands of meals out of that same kitchen you’re trying so hard to reshape.”

  He could almost see the light go on over her head. “That was a totally different menu,” she argued, not ready to admit defeat.

  “That was sauces and proteins and vegetables cooked over a heat source. We are all doing the same thing, Lauren. Some better than others, yes, but we’re still just preparing food to make people happy.”

  “Fine. Then tell me, oh kitchen guru, how do I get them to trust me?”

  “Trust goes both ways. Just as you’re making them earn yours, you have to earn theirs.”

  She scoffed. “So what? We stand in a circle and do trust exercises?”

  Not a bad idea, actually. “Yes, that’s exactly what you do.” Nick left the couch to search for a business card on his side table. “Here it is.”

  “Here’s what?”

  He handed her the card. “Defying Gravity Adventure Park up in Nags Head. They specialize in this kind of thing. It’s basically a giant jungle gym with suspension bridges and zip lines. Teams work together to complete the obstacles, some of which are fifty feet off the ground. If you can’t learn to trust each other up there, then there’s no hope of it ever happening.”

  Blinking, her eyes shifted from the business card to his face and back again. “You want me to take my kitchen staff to an obstacle course?”

  “Why not?”

  “Because crossing some suspension bridge has nothing to do with cooking a scallop to the proper temperature.”

  Nick plucked the card from her hand. “You came to me this time. If you don’t like my ideas, then you’re on your own.”

  “Wait.”

  She bolted from the chair and reached around him for the card. Nick turned at the same time and she landed against his chest, her cobalt-blue eyes nearly level with his, her scent, sweet and warm, surrounding him. His free hand cupped her waist as she stood pressed against him with her lips parted and a soft hue rising on her cheeks.

  “I didn’t say no,” she murmured as her eyes dropped to his lips.

  The invitation was too much. Nick told himself to step away, but when her tongue trailed along her bottom lip, he forgot all the reasons this couldn’t happen. Leaning forward, he pressed his mouth to hers, feeling more than hearing her soft sigh. Her arms slid up his chest to wrap around his neck and the moment she opened for him, allowing him to deepen the kiss, Nick’s cell phone went off, blasting “Born To Be Wild” through the living room.

  Lauren leaped away as if scalded, nearly falling backward over the coffee table. He reached to catch her, but she managed to right herself and retreat to several feet away. They stared in silence, her slender fingers pressed to her lips as his phone continued to blare.

  “You should get that,” she finally said, and Nick wanted to hurl the damn phone against the wall.

  Instead, he crossed to the kitchen counter and answered it. “What?” he said upon seeing his sister’s name on the screen.

  “What’s wrong with you?” she asked. “You told me to call to talk about Mom’s birthday present. So I’m calling.”

  He’d forgotten about that. “Sorry, I was in the middle of something.”

  “Do you need me to let you go?” Mia asked.

  Unsure how to answer, Nick turned to check on Lauren and found the room empty. Moments later, his front door click shut.

  Running a hand through his hair, he crossed the living room, saying, “Let me call you back.”

  Without waiting for a reply, he ended the call on his way outside but there was no one around. No retreating taillights. No sound of footsteps on gravel. She must have walked, but other than knowing she lived farther down the lane, Nick had no idea which cottage was hers. Only three others on the street had permanent residents, leaving the other six as rentals, and he wasn’t about to knock on random doors.

  Returning inside, he looked at the phone in his hand. The first thing he did was turn down the damn ringer. Then he fired off a text to Mia saying he’d talk to her tomorrow. She’d only ask questions he didn’t feel like answering right now. Hell, he didn’t even know the answers. What just happened had been mutual but stupid. He had his rules for a reason.

  Retrieving his beer and the remote, Nick dropped onto the couch with a sigh and spotted the adventure park card on the floor. Picking it up, he heard her words in his head.

  I don’t trust anyone.

  Everyone trusted someone. And if they didn’t, they had a good reason. So what was hers?

  He tossed the card onto the table and pressed play on his show. Lauren Riley was none of his business, and if he had any sense at all, he’d leave her the hell alone. Especially after tonight. But then he caught her scent still lingering in the air and considered taking Mia’s suggestion and making an exception.

  8

  Lauren paused at the entrance to Pilar’s and took a deep breath. She’d messaged Jackson first thing that morning to say she’d be late and that he should let the rest of the staff inside. They were to have a seat in the dining room and wait for her.

  None of this was because she’d slept in or hit traffic—a laughable idea on this sleepy little island—but due to an impromptu morning meeting with Will Navarro.

  Though she’d left Nick’s place without the business card—for obvious reasons—a simple internet search had brought up the adventure park website. Lauren had gathered the information she needed to make the presentation to Will, and then tossed and turned all night imagining her boss laughing her out of the office.

  Not that she’d blame her. This was a crazy idea, but Nick had been right. Lauren had watched the video on the park website and giant jungle gym didn’t do the place justice. She’d never had a fear of heights, but then she’d also never climbed five stories up and attempted to travel from one pole to the next via a dozen chairs suspended in the air by three ropes.

  Taking on this challenge would either mold the team as one or make it clear she’d need a whole new staff.

  The loss of sleep had been for nothing since Will approved the plan immediately. She’d not only agreed to pay their entry fees, but each staff member would be paid their normal daily wages. Now to convince the team to cooperate.

  “Good morning,” she said upon stepping inside. “Thank you for waiting.”

  “Morning,” the crew said in unison and with the expected amount of enthusiasm, which wasn’t much.

  Setting her hurt feelings aside, Lauren was determined to push forward and get everyone on the same page. Preferably her page. The previous evening had bro
ught two realizations—compromise was sometimes necessary and Nick Stamatis was an amazing kisser.

  If she was honest, Lauren would admit that the latter had contributed the most to her inability to sleep, but no one needed to know that. Especially not Nick. The kiss had taken her by surprise. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been with a man, and Nick Stamatis wasn’t just any man. He was the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome—so cliché and yet so irresistible.

  She’d taken the coward’s way out—not her proudest moment—but retreat had been necessary to keep from jumping his bones. When passing his house on the way to meet Will that morning, she’d stomped on the gas as if he might come out and catch her. Proof that she could not think rationally where Nick was concerned.

  Of all the cottages on this island, why did Will have to give her one so close to his?

  “I think we all can agree that yesterday did not go well,” she said, addressing the room. “I’m at a disadvantage in that you all know each other, but you don’t know me. Despite how some of you may feel, I am the head chef in this kitchen. If I want something done a certain way, it’s for a reason, but at the same time I understand that for many years this was your kitchen and you did things differently.”

  Lauren paused long enough to hear a huff come from the back of the room. Her eyes caught Mona’s and the woman had the grace to look away.

  “We have ten days before we open the doors. That means we don’t have time to dance around each other so we’re going to speed things up. Today, I’m willing to discuss the setup of the kitchen. You show me your way and we see if it works for what I want to accomplish.”

  Several sat up straighter, signaling she had their attention. Now, for the twist.

  “Tomorrow morning, I need the cooking staff to be here by six thirty. We’re taking a field trip.” Confused glances were exchanged as a low murmur developed. Lauren waited for them to grow quiet before continuing. “We’re visiting the Defying Gravity Adventure Park in Nags Head to do some team building exercises.”

  “You cannot be serious,” said Deborah.

  “I don’t think so,” echoed Mona.

  “This is mandatory,” Lauren cut in, gaining their attention once more. “Look, I don’t want to have to change crews. At this point, I’m not even sure I could without delaying the opening. But if we’re going to be in the fire together, then we need to trust each other. You’ll be paid for the time we’re gone just as you would be if you were working in the kitchen. This is another workday, except instead of knives, we’ll have harnesses and zip lines.”

  No one spoke for several seconds until Jackson finally said, “I’m in, Chef.”

  “You’re afraid of heights,” Mona reminded him.

  The man turned to face his coworker. “Chef is right. We have to work together and if she’s willing to give us another chance after yesterday, then I’m willing to strap on a harness and make this work. What are you going to do, quit? You know you don’t want to lose this opportunity. You’ve seen the menu. Where else are we going to get the chance to make food like this?”

  Lauren hadn’t expected such support after the “I don’t like her either” comment the day before. Then again, Jackson had made it clear that he needed this job.

  “I shouldn’t have to haul my ass up a rope ladder to prove I can cook,” Mona argued.

  “And I shouldn’t have to argue over where a garbage can goes,” Lauren cut in, “but here we are.”

  Mona went silent and Deborah said, “Count me in. I’ve always wanted to zip line. Even better if I can get paid to do it.”

  The remaining four cooks followed suit until Mona was the only dissenting voice.

  “Well?” Jackson said. “Are you with us or are you out?”

  “Shit. You know I’m going,” she said, her bottom lip jutted out. “I don’t like it, but I’ll do it.”

  “Good.” Lauren rose from her chair as a voice sounded from the back.

  “I want to go.”

  She looked up to find Brendon the dishwasher wearing a hopeful expression.

  “Sorry, but I only got approval for the cooking staff.” When he looked defeated, she said, “Maybe if we have a successful launch, I can get Will to send the rest of the staff.”

  “Yes.”

  The team headed for the kitchen while Jackson approached Lauren. “I owe you an apology, and I just wanted to say thank you for giving us another shot. After how we acted yesterday, I’m not sure we deserve one.”

  Not ready to trust him just yet, Lauren nodded. “Apology accepted. Why don’t we consider this the first day and move on?”

  “Yes, Chef.” He hesitated another moment and she waited for him to say what was on his mind. “I really am afraid of heights. How far up are we talking?”

  She considered lying lest he back out, but she couldn’t be that mean. “The top is fifty feet but some are as low as ten.” Jackson swayed as if she’d hit him with a blow dart. “There might be something we can do on the ground,” Lauren added, afraid he might faint. If this was his reaction just hearing about the place, then tomorrow was going to be a real challenge.

  He rubbed the back of his neck. “That would be good. But I’ll do my best to keep up with the group. No matter how high.”

  “I appreciate that. Thanks for convincing them to go.”

  “Ah, they’d have gone. We all want to be here. We just aren’t used to change, that’s all.”

  And she wasn’t used to compromise. They all had something to learn.

  “Then let’s see what we can keep the same, shall we?”

  With a grin, he said, “Yes, Chef,” and took off toward the kitchen.

  “Why didn’t you call me back?” Mia demanded as she stomped into Nick’s kitchen. He’d worked the lunch shift after a long, sleepless night and the last thing he wanted to do was to deal with his sister.

  “I was busy.” He slid the creamy sea urchin soup her way. “Eat.”

  Lifting her spoon, she took a deep sniff over the soup. “How did I get so lucky to have a chef for a brother?”

  “You must have done something good in a former life.”

  The first bite went in and she sighed. “Something really good. Now back to my question. What happened last night?”

  “I had unexpected company.”

  “Who was it?” Mia asked, filling her spoon for another bite.

  “Nobody.” Nick finished filling his own bowl, grabbed a spoon, and rounded the island to take a seat at the table across from his sister. “What are we going to get for Mom?”

  “You’re being suspicious,” she said, ignoring his attempt to change the subject. “Who is nobody?”

  Realizing he forgot the drinks, he returned to the kitchen. “Not everything is your business, little one.”

  She stared him down as he set a soda in front of her. “You haven’t called me that since I was twelve, and you only ever did it when there was something you didn’t want me to rat you out on.”

  “Who are you going to rat me out to?” he asked. “I’m a little beyond the getting grounded age.”

  Watching him closely, Mia squinted in concentration. “You had a woman here.”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  “You definitely had a woman here. Please tell me you didn’t finally give in to Roberta from the grocery store.”

  Roberta Silverman had been hitting on Nick for more than a year. He’d been careful not to encourage her since learning that she’d been married three times already and was on a mission to land her next significant other. She was also about twenty years older than him by his best estimation. Not that Nick had anything against older women, per se, but two decades was a little out of his comfort zone.

  “I have not given in to Roberta and we are here to talk about a birthday present. Can we please stick to the topic?”

  “But this is so much juicier,” she pressed. “You sounded pissed when you answered, so I must have interrupted something
good. Not that I want the gory details.” Mia held a hand up palm out. “I just want to know who she is.”

  Nick drank what was left of his soda and rose from his chair. “Let it go.” He opened the pantry to toss in the empty bottle and found the recycle can full. “I need to empty this. You better have a gift idea when I get back.”

  “You’re seriously no fun.”

  Carrying the plastic bin through the house, he stepped out the front door and followed the porch to the end where he kept his cans. He’d just tipped the contents into the larger can when Mia stepped onto the porch. “Your phone is ringing. Why do you have it on vibrate only?”

  As she handed him the cell, a black SUV pulled down the road. He glanced up to see Lauren through the side window. They locked eyes before she hit the gas and sped off. Nick stepped off the porch and watched her go, hoping to see which cottage was hers.

  “So you are breaking your own rule,” Mia murmured.

  “What?” Nick spun to see her watching him with a knowing grin and remembered the phone vibrating in his hand. The name on the screen told him Jackson was calling. “Go eat,” he snapped, answering the call.

  Mia stuck out her tongue before prancing back inside.

  “Hello?”

  “Nick, buddy, you aren’t going to believe this. Chef Riley has us all going to some crazy adventure park tomorrow.”

  Watching Lauren cut him a quick look before shuffling inside the fourth cottage down, he replied, “I wonder where she got that idea?”

  In the month that Lauren had been on Anchor Island, no one had knocked on her door. Until tonight. It didn’t take a genius to guess who she’d find on the other side. She would answer, because he’d watched her come home and knew she was there, but she would not invite him inside.

  Still, she fluffed her hair and checked her teeth in the mirror that hung near the door. She’d grabbed a salad on her way home and didn’t want to face Nick looking as if she’d been gnawing on a head of lettuce.

  Doing her best to look as if butterflies weren’t creating a funnel cloud in her stomach, she opened the door with what she hoped was a blank expression. “Hello.”