I nodded. “Absolutely, but I’m from here. Born and raised. Not going anywhere. My sister had a kid, and I want to be around for that. So, if this worked out, you could count on an employee even in the quieter seasons.”
She tilted her head, considering. “And how long were you at Per Se?”
I killed her with a smile. “A long time. And I was at Gramercy Tavern before that. I’m very familiar with how a kitchen like this runs.”
She smiled. “Until you’ve worked here, no one is quite familiar with how a kitchen like this runs.”
“A fair point. But I would love to find out.”
Her smile disappeared. I wondered if I’d overplayed my hand, too eager. “I’m sorry, I’m just trying to figure out . . . why do you look familiar?”
“I’ve probably waited on you.”
“All right, if Peter sent you, I’ll give you a shot, but you’ll have to make it through training, like everyone else.”
“Understood.”
“We do two dinner services a night. Six thirty and nine. Be here at five. I’ll have you shadow Douglas. And depending on how you do, we’ll start you on the floor.”
“Great,” I said, and started to leave.
She called out after me. “Wait a second,” she said. “I know why you look familiar.”
I braced myself and turned around.
“Anyone ever told you that you look like that girl? The cooking star . . . the one who can’t cook. What’s her name?”
I pushed the glasses higher up on my nose. “I think . . . it was Sunshine.”
“Right, you look a lot like her.”
My heart started racing, but I shrugged, not showing it. “People have said that to me before. I don’t really think so.”
Lottie nodded. “Well, she is thinner.”
“I’m not really familiar with her . . .”
“A lot thinner,” she said.
22
When we got back to the house, Rain was sitting on the porch, drinking a glass of wine. She looked exhausted, but tried to hide it, giving Sammy a huge smile.
“How did the science experiment go?” she said.
“Relatively uneventful. How was the wedding?”
“If I ever hear the word orchid again . . .”
Sammy tilted her head, taking her mother in. “I think you could use some pizza,” she said.
Rain looked at her daughter, amused. And I could see the joy she took in her child, surpassing any other disappointments.
“I think that’s a fantastic idea,” she said.
Rain ushered Sammy into the house, apparently to order. No invitation. Not even a hello. I was nothing more than a babysitter whom she was never planning to hire again.
Rain turned around in the doorway, forced a smile. “Maybe you want to head into town?” Rain said. “Get something to eat?”