Melody gives me that knowing look when I drop off Sienna. I just smirk. She’s not wrong, but I don’t allow her to talk about it either. I circle my keys around my pointer finger, letting her know I’m not sticking around. I hug them both, and Sienna says, “Love you, Uncle Ry-Ry. Be nice to Miss Jennings. I really like her,” sucker-punching me in the gut.
“Love you, Si. I promise I will. I like her too.” I wink at her and then head to my truck. My mind is on getting shit done, going home, and making a phone call. I’m hopeful as hell everything is running smoothly at Melody’s Steak House. Most don’t know I’m a silent partner, and I don’t flaunt it around town, nor do I want to. What would be the point in being a silent partner if that were the case? When I finished culinary school, and Melody somehow managed to finish her business degree while fooling around with Joseph, of course, when she was ready to open up the restaurant and I had a few years under my belt as a head chef, that was also when Melody found out she was pregnant.
I had money stashed away, waiting to invest in something, but for the time being, it was sitting in the bank doing nothing. It was common sense to invest with Melody, except I did not want to deal with the numbers side of shit. I was happy to do what I love, which is baking and cooking. Though, more on the cooking and creating side and less on the baked goods side. I do it with Sienna because she would beg me until I gave in. For the most part, though, I stick to the cooking side of things.
The best part of living in the small town of Valentine, Texas, is that everything is only a handful of minutes away. My condo is within ten minutes of the restaurant, and so is Melody’s place. I pull in after being deep in thought, already ready to be stuck here for the remainder of the early afternoon. I’m drawing the line once the dinner rush comes in.
I’m no sooner through the door when the sous chef is marching my way, a scornful look on his face.
“What’s wrong, Dan?” I ask quickly. The faster I can head this shit off, the better everything will be.
“The delivery. It’s not here,” he pouts. I pinch the bridge of my nose. I know for a fact it is. I off-loaded it this morning. I know I have my moments, most do in high-stress situations, but Dan seems to take the cake. He’s been on a fucking rampage lately, and I’m just about over his drama.
“Yes, it is, it’s already off-loaded in the cooler. I was here this morning and did the inventory. Did you even look?”
“No, it’s supposed to be at the front.” He stomps his foot, crossing his arms.
“Jesus, Dan. You have to look. Sometimes things don’t get rotated because there’s no room. This is common sense. Come on, man. It’s always something, and if you don’t shape up, who knows when Melody will get sick of your crap, because I’m already there,” I tell him before heading to the walk-in refrigerator.
Already knowing what tonight’s special is, I take everything out, placing it on the counter. Everything else, he should damn well know where it all is.
“It’s all set out. Is there anything you need help with?” I ask. Dan is still quiet after being given the what-for.
“No, that’s it. Thank you.” He does look remorseful at least.
“Not a problem, but next time, please look further or shoot me a text. Melody is off for the night, as am I. If you need something, let Nancy know. She’ll get a hold of us.” With that, I turn around, leaving the kitchen to go to the back office and make sure Nancy’s good to go. This is exactly why I didn’t want to be an active partner, but I know Melody needed the afternoon off. Hopefully, it did some good too.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” Nancy looks up from the desk. I’m sure she’s pouring over the schedule. I don’t know how she and Mel deal with that, it’s a nightmare with everyone needing certain times and shit.
“Hi, just stopping by real quick. You and Dan are the only ones who saw me. If you need anything, make sure you bother me, not Melody.”
“Not a problem. It’s just one night. You two can take a night off. She deserves to spend a night at home without worrying, and so do you, so go on and shoo. Get out of here.” Nancy is a grandmotherly type of person, spoils the snot out of all of us.
“Thanks, see you later.” I wave over my shoulder, heading out the door and to my truck once again. I’m seeing a vacation in my future, even if it’s stay-at-home-and-do-nothing style.