“Hunter.” Alec shook his hand, then clumsily hugged Colby hello. Little more than two years ago that would’ve been natural—smoothly done and barely noticed. Today, her body flushed with discomfort. “Thank you both for this opportunity.”
To the casual bystander, Alec’s clasped hands and slight smile might’ve looked sincere instead of tightly wound. Of course, life with Mark had skewed Colby’s senses. Years of living defensively—scanning for the warning signs of mania, as if seeing it coming might somehow prevent its pandemonium—had made her a slightly paranoid observer.
She could hardly trust her judgment about anyone anymore, even an old friend like Alec. Perhaps Hunter was right and Alec didn’t harbor hard feelings.
“Don’t mention it. We’re lucky to have you,” Hunter assured his buddy. “Listen, I’ve got another meeting, so I’ll leave Colby here to show you the kitchen. You two probably have a lot to discuss before we open.”
“Four weeks, correct?” Alec’s intense gaze startled her.
“Yes,” Colby replied.
“No time to waste.” He appeared to have stifled a skeptical sigh. Or maybe that was her paranoia again.
“Agreed.” Hunter shook Alec’s hand, then kissed Colby’s head. “See you later.”
She and Alec stood in the entry, watching Hunter leave as if he were a life raft wrenched from their hands.
Her brother’s absence let the elephant otherwise known as Joe stampede into the room. He’d always be there between them, as would Mark. But given today’s anniversary in particular, Joe loomed large. Should she say something? No. Better to say nothing than risk saying the wrong thing.
“Guess you’re eager to see the kitchen?” Colby smiled, determined to tiptoe across the eggshells.
“Sure. Let’s start there.” As he followed her through the dining room, he asked, “Who planned it?”
“The architect.” She halted, curious as to why this would matter.
He stopped short of walking into her. “Not the chef?”
“No. But the architect had designed other restaurants, so he knew what he was doing.” She flashed a reassuring smile, although the quirk of tension in his face told her he doubted it. Great. Reclaiming her peace of mind when forced to work with—and rely on—another demanding personality would be challenging.
“We’ll soon find out.” Alec shoved his hands in his pants pockets. For an instant he resembled the old friend who’d done that quite frequently. The one she’d liked and trusted so well.
“Hopefully it meets your needs.” Pushing open the door to reveal a gleaming, stainless-steel kitchen, Colby risked a glance at Alec, in time to note the first sign of his approval. To her eyes, the place looked as sterile and unwelcoming as an operating room. But Alec’s expression matched that of a father who’d just caught his first glimpse of his newborn.
She watched him disappear into another world, one in which she ceased to exist. Lovingly, he ran his hand along a prep counter. He knelt down to inspect the various bowls, bins, and other utensils before standing and handling a sauté pan. Utterly rapt.
Having never quite found her life’s true passion, Colby envied his. To her, A CertainTea offered a new beginning, but it didn’t stir her soul.
Alec milled around the kitchen, occasionally stopping to turn one way or another, as if envisioning people working there, checking on the functionality of the space. With each step, his posture relaxed. The lines between his brows faded, and he let out a satisfied sigh, like that of a man who’d come home after a long journey.
His transformation unlocked a piece of her guarded heart. She almost said something, but then he wandered into the walk-in refrigerator and the moment was lost.
Maybe her qualms about working with a living, breathing reminder of the past had overshadowed the merits of her brother’s decision. Reconnecting with Alec might not only be the best thing for the restaurant, it might also help restore a friendship. Given the way she’d retreated from the world in recent years, she could use a friend.
Alec stepped out of the refrigerator, smiling. Not the old smile she remembered—that slightly shy but sincere one. This smile, more of a grin, really, at least was genuine. The first genuinely happy expression she’d seen him wear in two years.
Of course, that thought reminded her of the date. Of the death. Of that damn elephant she didn’t know how to tame.
“It’s a five-star kitchen, Colby.”
Validation from an award-winning chef. Not bad for a first try. She grinned. “Thank you. Have we missed anything?”