Chapter 14

CHAPTERFOURTEEN

I always thought nerves showed you cared.

Nope, nerves just make me want to be sick.

~ Chloé

FALL

“I FEEL LIKE I’m going to throw up.” Chloé stared at her reflection in the full-length mirror that stood in the corner of the bedroom, her menu sheets in hand.

She’d been obsessing over them all week. Tweaking, memorizing, analyzing every single ingredient on the page, hoping against all hope she hadn’t forgotten anything important when it came to the flavor profile of each meal she would present tonight.

The most important night of her life.

Not that she was trying to be dramatic. But seriously, this night could very well make or break her career, and that thought had another wave of nausea rolling in her stomach.

“I think that’s pretty normal with what you’re about to do.” Ethan walked up behind her and placed his hands on her shoulders. “Nerves show you care.”

“Oh, is that what they’re doing? I thought they were trying to make me revisit lunch.”

“Maybe, if you’d eaten lunch.” He arched a knowing brow, and Chloé let out a groan.

“Ugh, don’t start. I didn’t eat because I knew this is what would happen.”

“Fair enough, but how are you going to stand on your feet all night if you haven’t eaten anything all day?”

Zayne appeared then and held up a bottle of Gatorade and a protein bar. “Come on, Red, we need you to try to eat something. The last thing you want to do is pass out at the stoves and have them calling, ‘Chef down!’ in the middle of dinner service.”

Maybe they had a point. That was the last thing she wanted to happen. Even though her team was well prepared for the night. She’d be mortified if she passed out and couldn’t see it through.

How would that make her look to the culinary world? She could see the headlines now:

Julien Thornton-Priestley’s daughter can’t take the heat in the kitchen

No way. Not on her watch. She spun around and took the Gatorade from Zayne, cracking it open.

“How much longer until we have to leave?”

Ethan looked at his watch. “About fifteen minutes.”

She nodded and took a swig of the blue drink, and the icy-cold liquid felt good as it made its way down her throat.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this nervous before, Red.”

“I don’t remember ever being this nervous.”

“I know it’s pointless to say, but you have no reason to be. The dishes are delicious, and everyone there tonight is in for an absolute treat.”

She knew he meant it, and part of her fully agreed. The dishes she’d finally decided on were top tier for sure. But she was well aware of how harsh food critics and fellow chefs could be.

Too little salt or one sprig of rosemary too many, and it was game over. Their palates were on a whole different level from the usual diner, their opinions quick and brutal by nature. You had one bite, one first impression with these people, and if it hit wrong, you were screwed. But she wasn’t going to think about that.

In fact, all she was going to do right now was focus on eating her protein bar—and keeping it down.

She turned away from the mirror, sick and tired of staring at her damn self, and decided to focus on the two gorgeous men standing in front of her instead.

In smart casual attire, Ethan and Zayne looked handsome as ever. Ethan had paired his dark sports coat with a crisp white shirt tucked into his pressed pants, while Zayne had opted for black on black.

They looked devilishly handsome, and Chloé allowed herself to become distracted by the fact that these sinfully sexy men belonged to her.

“Well, that smile certainly looks a lot more confident.” Ethan slipped a hand into his pocket, the move as casual and sexy as the man himself. “What’s going through that brilliant mind of yours?”

Chloé took a step forward and leaned up on her tiptoes to kiss each of their cheeks. “I just decided to refocus my attention.”

“Oh?” Ethan turned his head until their lips brushed over the top of each other. “And what did you decide to focus on instead?”

Chloé grinned and stepped back. “My two handsome dates.”

Zayne tugged at his lapels and winked at her. “We don’t scrub up too bad, huh?”

“You both look gorgeous.” She ran her eyes over them, letting out a sigh. “Now I’ve got two things to worry about. Dinner and you two.”

Ethan chuckled. “We’re the last things you need to worry about. But if you don’t hurry up and head downstairs, you might have to worry about being late.”

Chloé frowned. “You said we had fifteen minutes.”

“We do. But if you keep staring at us like that—”

“We’re going to start something that’ll last a whole lot longer than fifteen minutes,” Zayne said. “Take pity, Red. It’s already going to be a long night.”

He wasn’t wrong, but this had been the sexy little break she needed. “Fair enough. As long as I get to stare at you both all I like after.”

“Actually”—Ethan’s smile turned downright devilish—“that’s already been taken care of.”

“Really?”

“Mhmm.”

“Ethan… You can’t say things like that. How am I supposed to concentrate now?”

“By knowing you have a very special kind of celebration to look forward to at the end of the night. Now eat up.” He pointed to the protein bar. “You have a dinner to kill, and I can’t wait to taste what is going be the most talked about dish in Chicago by tomorrow morning.”

A burst of nervous laughter escaped her. “No pressure.”

“None that you can’t handle,” Zayne said as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder and they followed Ethan toward the stairs. “You’ve been working on this for months—you’re ready. And if you weren’t, you wouldn’t have one of the most talented chefs in the world trusting you to represent his restaurant.”

Zayne was right. She knew that. Father or not, her père would never hand over his restaurant and call every important name in the industry if he didn’t think she could do this. So it was time to get her head on straight and bring it.

It was time to introduce the world to Chef Chloé Thornton-Priestley.

* * *

ZAYNE HAD NO idea how Chloé seemed so calm as they headed into town, but after their little pep talk she seemed to have refocused and was now sitting quietly in the back seat going through the pages of notes she’d brought with her.

It had been a real learning curve watching her work on this over the last couple of months. He’d had no idea what went into creating a menu, especially not one of this caliber. But after months of research, taste tests, and full practice runs, it was finally time to showcase what she’d come up with for an audience full of her peers and industry heavyweights.

How she was so poised at such a young age, he had no clue. He would’ve been losing his shit. Hell, his own stomach was full of nerves for her, and all he had to do was eat the meal.

But that was Chloé. She was unlike anyone they’d ever met, and if she was this talented at this age, he couldn’t wait to see the woman she would blossom into throughout the years.

“So, Red, is there anyone in particular you want us to schmooze tonight? Or slip a mickey to?”

“As tempting as that offer is, I think it might be frowned upon to drug my toughest critics.”

“Okay, what about bribing? Is that frowned upon? I can be very persuasive…”

She chuckled. “I know exactly how persuasive you can be, and you better be talking money when it comes to bribing.”

“Of course I’m talking money.” Zayne shook his head but winked at her. “Get your mind out of the gutter.”

“Well then, let me see…” She pursed her lips, and Zayne was thankful he was sitting in the front seat, because he would’ve been hard-pressed not to take her in a kiss that would no doubt end in an extremely frustrating night for him. “There’s Fiona McKenzie. She’s one of the top food critics in the nation.”

“She tough?”

“As nails. I’m both terrified and excited to have her try my food.”

“Think she’s into tall, tattooed charmers?”

“She better not be.”

“Agreed,” Ethan deadpanned as Zayne flashed a smile her way.

“I told you I wouldn’t use my body. But if she’s at least distracted by it, it’ll make it that much easier to bring up a cash bribe.”

Chloé snorted. “You’re ridiculous.”

“She’s right,” Ethan said. “You are.”

“Look, with my charm and your money, anything is possible—just say the word, Red.”

Chloé really started laughing then, and leaned forward, wrapping her arms around him from the back seat.

“Thank you for wanting to break the law to help me. I appreciate it more than you’ll ever know.”

Zayne picked her hand up and kissed her palm. “Anything for you, gorgeous.”

She settled back into her seat, a wide smile on her face, and Zayne was happy to think that for a moment he’d given her a little levity. She was in for a stressful night, and he wanted to give her this before she stepped into it.

Ethan got them into town in record time, and as they pulled up out the front of JULIEN, a man in a tuxedo stepped up to the curb.

“Valet tonight?” Zayne said, and Chloé nodded.

“We’re fully booked, and you know how the parking is back here. It’s difficult on a normal night, and tonight will be insane. Père thought this would keep things more streamlined.”

“Smart man,” Ethan said as they pushed open their doors and climbed out. He rounded the hood of the SUV and handed off the keys, and as the valet drove off, the three of them stood on the sidewalk and stared at the revolving door of JULIEN. “Whenever you’re ready, Red.”

Chloé hiked her bag up her arm then reached for each of their hands. “Let’s do this.”

* * *

“THERE SHE IS. The woman of the hour!”

Whistles and whoops filled the air as they pushed through the revolving door and stepped into the main dining room of JULIEN. Ethan moved off to the side with Zayne as Chloé stood in the middle of the men and women she’d been working with over the past few months in preparation for this very night.

But it wasn’t until Julien stepped out of the crowd and gestured for them all to simmer down that the hooting and hollering faded.

“Bonsoir, mon ange. How are you feeling?”

She laughed and beamed at everyone, and Ethan had to hand it to her. No one in that crowd would’ve known she’d been a nervous wreck ten minutes ago.

Total professional.

Total badass.

“I’m feeling excited, confident, and ready to share some of the most delectable meals this town has ever eaten tonight.”

The cheers started up again and were close to deafening, and Ethan likened it to a pep talk between football players before a big game—all of them pumping each other up, getting ready to go kill it.

“Okay, okay.” Julien laughed. “Time to go get the food and kitchen prepped. Guests—”

“Judges!” someone interrupted.

“—will be arriving in a couple of hours. Let’s make sure you’re on your A game tonight.”

Everyone nodded, taking their orders from the bossman, then turned to head off to their prospective stations, leaving Chloé’s family in their wake.

Robbie, Priest, and Justin joined Julien, gathering around Chloé to wish her luck and offer up words of wisdom and advice. Then Robbie turned to them and waved them over.

“What are you two doing standing all the way over there?” He smiled. “Tell us the truth now—Chloé looks the picture of confidence right now, but how was she an hour ago?”

Zayne chuckled, and Chloé aimed a glare in his direction.

“Oh, you know, she was bossing us around and hurrying us out the door.”

Justin scoffed. “Now that’s a lie right there. Chloé’s never on time. Try again.”

Zayne looked to Ethan, not wanting to put his foot in it, and Ethan offered up his best smile and ran a hand down her arm.

“She’s been very…focused.”

“That’s a very diplomatic answer.” Priest eyed him, a slight grin tugging at his lips.

“It’s the truth. Chloé’s been reading over her notes and getting in the zone. Much like yourself before a trial, I’m sure.”

“True.” Priest hugged his daughter into his side and kissed her on the head. “And I for one cannot wait to taste what you’ve come up with. So, off you go—be brilliant as only you can be. We’ll be out here, staying far away from your kitchen unless you call.”

Robbie was the next to pull her into a tight embrace. “I’m so proud of you, princess. The daughter, woman, and chef you’ve become. I can’t wait for the rest of the family to get here so I can brag about you.”

She laughed as she kissed his cheek, and said by his ear, “I’m dedicating tonight to Pop. I know he’ll be here too, watching over me.”

Dad nodded and sniffed a little as he blinked away his tears. “Thank you.”

“I love you.”

Julien took her hands then, his expression one full of love and adoration.

“Words can’t express what I’m feeling right now,” he said as he pulled her into his arms and kissed her temple. “Working with you, training you over these years, has been one of the biggest joys of my life. You’re one of the most talented chefs I have ever come across, and no matter what, when you’re in that kitchen tonight, I want you to remember one thing.”

“Oui, Papounet?”

“Have fun.” He pushed a curl behind her ear, then looked to Ethan and Zayne. “Feel free to join us for a drink when you’re ready.”

They nodded, and as Chloé’s fathers walked off, she looked at the two of them with happiness shining from her eyes, and Ethan knew she was ready for whatever came next.

“Good luck tonight, Red.” Zayne leaned in to kiss her cheek. “You’re going to crush it.”

She nodded. “Yes, I am.”

“There’s our girl.” Ethan kissed her other cheek. “Go. Be brilliant. We’ll be here waiting to celebrate you once you’re done.”

“Promise?”

Ethan winked at her. “Nothing could drag us away.”

She backed away from them, keeping her eyes locked with theirs until she turned and headed out the back to the kitchens, and Zayne let out a low whistle.

“She’s something else, isn’t she?”

“She is, and you know the best part?” Ethan took Zayne’s hand and pulled him in to brush their lips together. “She’s ours.”