Heart storms, p.6
Heart Storms, page 6
She stood and yelled after him, “Hey, hombre estúpido.”
The man turned around to face her, his eyes wide with shock. The lighting in the room wasn’t good, but he looked to be thirty-ish with dark hair and eyes, those eyes with a look that cut right through you. He wore a neat, thin mustache and a small, short goatee with a fashionable five o’clock shadow. He’d be incredibly sexy had he not called her a ‘clumsy woman’ in Spanish. With his tan skin combined with Spanish-language insults, she guessed him to be Hispanic. She expected him to be of average height, but seeing him now in full standing position, he was around six feet tall and towered over her, and his smirk said he was proud of it. At first, Jade was afraid he was an intruder but saw he wore a white apron. As she moved in closer to him, she saw his cheeks had turned bright red.
He looked her up and down, as if deciding if she looked worthy of an apology. Instead, he cast a sheepish, lopsided half-smile and said, “Busted. I guess you speak Spanish.”
Jade snapped at him. “Obvious, isn’t it? I guess this ‘clumsy woman’ was right to call you a ‘stupid man.’”
“Okay, I get it. Let’s call a truce.”
“Hell, no! No truce. I want an apology. You trip me, don’t even offer to help me up, call me clumsy surreptitiously in Spanish assuming I was a stupid white woman, right?” In the following silence, she picked her notebook off the floor and scowled at him hearing no apology. “You do understand what surreptitious means don’t you, a smart guy like you?” As soon as the words left her mouth, she was sorry; she’d gone too far. But his arrogance reminded her of the devil, and she’d overreacted.
Caught slinging a Spanish put-down, he’d been beyond embarrassed. But now her returned insult ticked him off. “Yes, I do know what surreptitious means. I went to college, Miss White Lady. And now you’ve insulted me twice.”
Rip-roaring mad, Jade yelled, “AFTER, you tripped me and called me names in Spanish, insulting me at least twice! Three times now with the ‘White Lady’ remark. Three strikes, you’re out, dude.”
“So, you’re the type to keep score, huh? To make it clear, I did not trip you. I was here first, minding my own business, sitting on the floor with my leg stretched out because I had a cramp.” He smiled like a Cheshire cat. “And as you can see, I have very long legs.”
Jade flew over her toleration edge for smug smart-asses. “What the hell are you doing in here anyway? Who are you—new kitchen help, dishwasher, busboy? You’re not supposed to be snooping around back here.”
Raising his voice to match hers, he shouted, “I’m not snooping. I’m doing my job and I’m not the help, as you so nastily put it. But who the hell are you?” For revenge, he added, “Are you the cleaning lady or a maid looking for soaps and towels? You won’t find them in here. This is the kitchen pantry, for kitchen personnel only.”
“Oh, you’re asking for it, mister whoever you are.”
“Really?” His sly smile reflected wicked thoughts as he scanned Jade’s body from toes to head, stopping for a second at her breasts, and he taunted, “Oooh, what exactly am I asking for?”
Something snapped in Jade and she was about to throw her notebook to the floor and yell obscenities when the door to the storeroom opened and slammed shut. A fast-walking Rick came down the aisle. “What’s going on in here? I can hear you guys yelling from the dining area.”
Jade, fuming, spat out her version of the incident; then the man told his in a calm, rational way.
Rick ran his hands through his hair, flustered. “Look, I’m too busy for this crap. We’ve got an inn to open in one week with three weeks of work left. Stop acting like schoolyard kids. Have you two even met, or are you insulting each other as complete strangers?”
Silence filled the room. After a moment Jade admitted, “I have no idea who he is, or he me.”
“And yet you’re screaming at each other like bullies.”
They both looked to the floor, looking very embarrassed.
“Well, let me introduce you properly. Jade, meet Gabriel Montoro, our new chef. Gabriel, meet Jade Armstrong, the General Manager of the inn. She oversees all the operations, including yours, so you best get on her good side. It’s imperative you two get along. You both have important jobs here with the potential to make or break us. So, let’s keep our eyes on the prize. If one of us fails, we all fail. Now shake hands and apologize, please.”
Jade glared at Rick with a venomous look, which he returned, making her stop and realize she might’ve been a touch arrogant. Too much stress had her off her game, so she took the high road. “I guess it was an accident. Both of us at the same place at the same time and engrossed in what we were doing—we literally fell over each other.” She put out her hand. “Nice to meet you Gabriel. I’m sorry for the misunderstanding and the insults. It’s not who I am, and it won’t happen again. I apologize.”
Gabriel shook her hand. “Me, too.”
That’s it? That’s all you can say? Just like ‘the devil;’ can’t admit when he’s wrong, only apologizes when forced to, and can’t even utter the word ‘sorry’. Okay, I got his number. And he’s racist, to boot, calling me ‘Miss white lady,’ assuming I was a maid, slinging insults in Spanish assuming the ‘white lady’ wouldn’t understand Spanish.
Both their hands were hot with lingering anger, their skin tingling against each other’s. Gabriel tightened his grip and squeezed her hand so hard it pinched. She wondered what the tough grip was about—payback, revenge or a macho show of strength? A show of ‘I’m a man, I’m stronger than you’ll ever be?’ Probably a little of all those things. So, this is what retaliation feels like in a handshake. They exchanged a quick glance of the ‘I still don’t like you’ kind. She let go of his hand and left the storeroom with Rick.
His hand still tingled from Jade’s grasp as Gabriel stood alone, realizing he’d screwed up his first interaction at his new job, with his new boss besides. His spirit plummeted, seeing his luck was no better here than in his old life. Watching Jade and Rick walk away together, his recent arrogance deflated. He didn’t want to be the lone man out, the angry one, the troublemaker.
This job was a huge opportunity at a new life, but his mother had been right in her advice. Maybe he would work on getting rid of the chip on his shoulder to start. It would be a big help toward relating better to people by not assuming the worst right at the start like he’d done with Jade. He’d insulted her. What am I, five years old? I can do better. I’m a talented chef but I have to show them I can get along with people and check my personal baggage at the door. Rubbing the palm of his hand still prickling with the heat of her anger, he vowed to figure out what Jade was all about.
Rick said to get on her good side. I can do that. Jade was stunning to him, even with almost no makeup and wearing plain, snug jeans and a tank top. Lustrous, long, brown hair pulled up in a thick ponytail complemented those luscious brown eyes shining with fiery flecks of gold. She was seductive even when she was mad, maybe because she was mad. He related and would have no problem, even have fun with getting on her good side. Those thoughts made the devil on his shoulder, out of habit, elaborate: If you’re lucky, you can get on any side of her you want. Gabriel caught a momentary thrill until he realized he wasn’t usually lucky.
***
In Rick’s office, Jade riled up again. “When did you hire him and why didn’t you include me?”
“I hired him this afternoon. It happened fast; you were in the middle of training and not available. I had checked his references yesterday—flawless, like yours. He came in late morning; we talked for a couple hours and had a great interview. I hired him on the spot like I did you. I started him checking kitchen inventory where you, well, literally fell over him.”
She didn’t find Rick’s humor funny, instead it angered her even more. “Where the hell did you find him? What a jerk! I accept I have to get along with him. I will, don’t worry. This inn means more to me than any errant cook.”
“Hey, Jade, simmer down. Why are you so upset? He’s not an errant cook. He’s a trained pastry and sous chef, and breakfast is his specialty. I’m lucky to have him. His skills and experience are outstanding. And guess where he came from?”
She raised her eyebrows and smirked. “The local parolee program?”
“Jade! Stop. I’ve never seen you like this. What’s gotten into you?”
She rubbed her temples and took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. He got to me; reminds me of my ex.”
“Your ex, the devil? I wondered why you called him such a horrible name.”
“Yes, and you’ll keep wondering, too. It’s one of my secrets I get to keep. And, yes, Gabriel reminds me of him—his personality, hubris and reluctance to apologize when he’s wrong; making incorrect, even racist assumptions. Sorry, but I don’t like the guy.”
“Well, you’re responsible for him being here.”
Jade moved to the edge of the chair, incredulous. “No way! I never heard of him or laid eyes on him before. How is his working here my fault?”
With a smug look, Rick said, “You told me to pray. So I did, for real because I desperately needed a cook. And poof, two days later I get a call from a guy who says he’s a sous and pastry chef, new in town. He saw the inn, thought it was beautiful and would love to work here. He asked if I had positions open; said he’d do anything; newly divorced. Sound familiar?”
Jade bent forward, elbows to knees and held her head, letting out a shrill bark. “No, no, no, no, no! How can praying backfire so badly? His situation is almost like mine.”
“You two probably tangled because you’re a lot alike. It’s just a feeling—you both have the same quiet anger simmering underneath the surface, until something sets you off.”
“Oh, man, have you been talking to my mother? I’m in bohemian hell and being psychoanalyzed by my boss. Now you say I’m like this arrogant guy? How dare you compare me to him?”
Rick laughed hard, walked over and took her hand, pulling her up to stand. “I’m messing with you. Kind of. Trying to get you to come back to center. Cool off, calm down. He’s the new breakfast chef, not the CEO. I’m hoping he’ll be great at what he does, and he’ll get along with everybody. I’m sure he was pushing your buttons on purpose. Probably trying to see how you’d react, sizing you up.”
“And I fell for it. He’s good, I’ll give him that. He must be smart and quick-thinking, and I called him stupid. I guess I deserve what I got. Kind of. I’ve had better days.” She beamed at Rick with a new look in her eyes—of respect, warmth, apology—practically begging for a hug.
Rick almost succumbed but remembered his rules. Instead, he held her hand. “We’ve all had better days. You’re an amazing, caring, intelligent, and dare I say, lovely woman. Your ex must be a… what did you call Gabriel? … an ‘hombre estúpido?’”
Jade’s laugh started small and grew contagious until Rick laughed with her so hard they fell into each other’s arms, into the full-on hug he promised himself he wouldn’t give. A strong attraction resurrected along with such tenderness, they knew the memory would stay with them, lending comfort in the weeks ahead when they needed a hug but wouldn’t ever ask.
Chapter 10
Jade woke at dawn the next morning needing to slough off the angry energy from her encounter with Gabriel the night before. She threw on yoga pants and a tank top and hit the beach for a good long run in the cool sixty-degree morning, perfect for running. The day was clear, the ocean calm and deep blue, the sky even bluer. Salt air prickled her skin, energizing her as the sun rose, a golden ball throwing its warmth onto her. The longer she ran, with every deep breath she cast off all bad feelings and determined to make a fresh start at work and in her attitude.
She no sooner walked in her cottage door when Rick called asking her to come in early to work on the new breakfast menu with Gabriel. An emergency came up with the landscapers, so he couldn’t do it. He asked her to take Gabriel around and introduce him to the staff. Even though she had her new attitude in gear, something about hearing the name ‘Gabriel’ got under her skin, and she told Rick so when she got to work.
They shared a quick cup of coffee while planning the day. Rick said, “Your first impression of Gabriel was bad, but you’ve got to find something to like or appreciate because you have to work together. Observe him when you introduce him to other people. Tell me how he relates or doesn’t. I need to be aware if he’s always angry or if his behavior was a fluke last night, possibly nervousness from the run-in with you.”
“You got it. Observe I can do, and I’ll try to get along with him. Promise. I’m the good ole team player.” The look Rick threw at her was of such gratitude she thought he might kiss her. She leaned in to him a little, but he didn’t move a muscle. She waited for him to do or say something, but all she saw was the same sadness move across his face again.
***
Jade waltzed into the kitchen intending to be casual. Gabriel’s back was to her while he checked out the wall ovens. His shoulders were broad leading to a trim waist. He wore a clingy T-shirt displaying well-defined muscles in his shoulders, arms and back. At the very least, he certainly is a nice specimen of a man. In her cheeriest voice, she said, “Morning. I hope you’re feeling better today. Are you ready to get to work on these menus?”
Jade saw him glance over his shoulder looking annoyed most likely because she’d interrupted him, and he’d been expecting Rick. He turned back to the ovens, ignoring her, when Rick came through the door. She watched, amused, as Gabriel turned completely around in his body and attitude. “Buenos días,” he said to Jade. “I’m feeling just fine, thank you, and ready to go to work.”
Rick walked over to Gabriel. “I said I’d go over the menu with you, but I’ve got unexpected problems with landscapers. I asked Jade to do it since she’ll be overseeing kitchen operations. I trust her implicitly and this is what I hired her for. Are you okay working with her and occasionally being under her supervision?”
“Sure,” Gabriel said, pasting on a wide, straight white-toothed smile. “No problem. I’m happy to work with Ms. Armstrong.”
Jade broke in. “Call me Jade, please. My mother is Ms. Armstrong.”
“Call me Gabe. Gabriel is an angel, and well, I’m…” He stopped, hoping no one would notice what he’d been about to say.
But Jade did. She finished his sentence, giggling. “You’re no angel, huh? At least we agree on one thing.”
Gabe’s eyes shot fire at her.
Observing their potentially incendiary interaction, Rick urged them to forget about last night and ‘play nice.’ He wanted the menus and food list ready when he came back at noon.
As soon as Rick left, Jade put her laptop on the kitchen island and sat on a stool. She looked over at Gabe. “Why don’t you sit across from me so we can discuss this.”
Determined to do as instructed, to ‘play nice,’ Gabe said, “Hey, I made a fresh pot of coffee. Would you like some?”
Looking up from her laptop, surprised, she said, “Yeah, sure.”
He brought steaming mugs of coffee and freshly baked muffins to her. “Try these.”
“I thought I smelled something scrumptious. Did you bake these?”
‘No, I bought them at the grocery store because I can’t bake.’ But he remembered his vow to drop the chip. So instead, he said in a polite tone, “I baked them from scratch. My recipe. Taste it.”
Cutting one in half, she took a big bite. The taste and texture were perfect. “These are fantastic. You surprise me.”
“Why are you surprised? Rick must’ve told you I’m a pastry chef.”
Jade looked down at her laptop, unable to make eye contact with him. “He did tell me. I just… uh, forgot, I guess. Too much stuff for me to remember these days. But they’re delicious.”
Gabriel heard her words but understood the underlying reason for them—the same as in most white restaurant owners’ minds—when they knew his name and race, they assumed he must be an assistant to a real cook, or a busboy or pot washer. They’d usually assume the man preparing delectable food of his own recipes was a white or Asian guy with a white chef coat and toque. It was hard for them to conceive of him being a bona fide chef, even though he’d had formal training and years of experience. Now I see where she’s really coming from. I see her racial bias hiding under her nice words.
Jade ate several bites while downing her coffee. “So good. What’s in these muffins?”
Gabriel snapped out of his assessment of her. “Well, it’s my own secret recipe. But I guess with you being the boss and all, I could trust you with it, huh?”
Jade rolled her eyes. “Oh, man, another guy wanting me to keep his secrets. What’s with you guys?”
“I don’t know what ‘other guys’ you’re talking about, but most chefs keep their recipes secret, unless they’re famous enough to publish their own cookbook.”
Jade’s cheeks flushed. “Right. Chef. Secret recipe. Sorry. I didn’t think.”
Gabe stood up straight and crossed his arms in front of him. ‘Of course, you didn’t,’ but he said, “Don’t worry about it. Most people don’t. I will say they’re gluten-free and give you an apple pie taste without the calories and fat.”
Her eyes widened. “Wow. They’re delicious. I’m astounded; you really know your stuff.”
“Of course. And you don’t have to be so astounded. It’s only a muffin, not a six-course gourmet meal.”
Jade realized she’d made a judgment about him, a racially biased one. She’d acted racist, was wrong for it, and she felt terrible. Now would be the time to make it up to him or they might never get past this hostile attitude toward each other. “Gabe, I’m sorry for being surprised as if assuming you weren’t capable of great food and your own recipes. I was wrong. You deserve all the respect you’ve earned with your training and expertise.”
