“Surely there’s a more respectful way to earn their respect and cooperation.” She folded her arms. “I told you, I want this restaurant to be a happy place for everyone.”
“This is a restaurant, not a spiritual retreat. Surely you understand the difference.” When his remark caused her to scowl, he blew out a breath. “Sorry. But if you want to ensure that your guests have an exquisite experience from the moment they enter to the moment they leave, let me worry about the kitchen staff’s ‘feelings.’”
“I don’t want to work in a war zone, Alec.” She folded her arms across her chest.
“Now who’s exaggerating?”
She looked him up and down. “When did you become an arrogant jerk?”
“When did you become a fragile flower?” He reeled in his emotions, reminding himself she was his boss, not his employee. “I can’t believe you’re offended by me after spending so many years with Joe and Mark.”
Her mouth fell open. “Don’t change the subject. I’m trying to avoid a spate of harassment suits.”
“Harassment?” He practically choked on the word. “I’m setting the standard by which they must perform. It’s your restaurant, but it’s my reputation on the line, Colby. No one cares who owns the restaurant. The executive chef gets all the credit or all the blame. So don’t tell me to relax—or how to do my job—when you’ve never worked in a kitchen.”
“I asked you before not to belittle me.” Her voice had grown deadly quiet.
He raised his hands overhead. “Since when is stating facts belittling?”
“Since you keep dismissing my concerns as if I have no brain. I might not have kitchen experience, but I know poor management when I see it. I’m telling you right now, I won’t tolerate constant turnover. Maybe you had to endure shitty ‘training’ as a young chef, but I bet you didn’t like it much. Be a better man and find a better way.” Before he could respond, she twirled on her heel and stalked off, leaving him stewing in his own stomach acid.
Seemed she now made a habit of quick exits after laying down the law, so to speak.
Be a better man and find a better way.
Those words echoed in his mind as he made his way back into the kitchen. No doubt the staff had overheard their discussion.
For most of his life, he’d been considered weak. Quiet, thoughtful, a little shy. The kitchen had been the one—the only—place where he’d reigned supreme. Where he’d had complete confidence and control. If she expected him to go back to being that Alec everyone else pushed around or ignored, she’d better think again.
She didn’t appreciate his style? Too bad. It had worked for generations of chefs, and had made Une Bouchée an award-winning establishment. His dad would respect it. “No holds barred” had been that man’s motto for as long as Alec could remember. No one had criticized Joe for taking it to heart, so Alec wouldn’t worry about Colby’s current perception. Securing his dad’s respect, reclaiming his reputation, making her restaurant the best. That had to be the priority.
She’d forgive him once A CertainTea was featured in Bon Appétit.
“So, tell me. Who isn’t willing to meet my standards?” Find a better way. What Colby didn’t know was that there was no better way. “It won’t be easy, but a year from now, you’ll be proud of what we’ll accomplish together. You’ll learn more than you’ve ever learned before, too, but it won’t come without some pain and suffering.”
They all stared at him in silence. Some looked barely older than twenty-one. Good God, had he ever been that young?
“Shall I take your silence as meaning you’re on board? That each of you understands that every single detail matters?”
“Yes, Chef” came the reply in unison.
“Good. Let’s try again, from the beginning.” Alec called out a number of orders from the menu in another attempt to create a real-time test. “The soft opening is only two and a half weeks away. Let’s be ready.”
Yet despite his private pep talk, Colby’s words disrupted his concentration. Be a better man and find a better way.
Chapter Six
While in her office, Colby set down her pen and listened for another outburst from the kitchen. He’d fooled her these past several days, masking an egomaniacal temper with a soft voice and delicious pastries. More proof of her poor judgment when it came to people and, more specifically, men.
Her phone alarm beeped, reminding her of her appointment with her former colleague Todd Martin. He’d agreed to bring the final estate paperwork here. Todd had been a true friend during her tenure at the law firm. Given that he’d started in family law before switching to estates and trusts, he’d also been the one person she’d confided in when she’d been considering divorcing Mark.