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The way he’d looked at me, with that intensity that seemed to see right through to the center of me, made my stomach do somersaults. Aiden Mitchell was no longer the determined boy who had left Dove Key in his wake. He was now a man, steady and sure, his blue eyes reflecting the depth of the ocean he so loved.
I was still processing his story. He’d hurt me deeply, and part of me didn’t want to find sympathy for him. But somehow, I had. And now I had a name to go with the missing years. Ainsley. And instead of feeling outrage and betrayal, compassion had filled me for their shattered relationship. Then a sense of relief that she was firmly in his rear-view mirror. As Aiden had recited the tale, regret had been written all over him, along with the deep desire to make up for his mistakes. He was here and wanted to be with me. Now.
The fluttering in my abdomen gave way to a familiar tug of war within me. Our complicated history wasn’t the only issue in our way. My career was my current love, and Orchid was the ambitious venture that consumed all my attention. Could I really afford to lose focus now? Yet, the idea of Aiden wanting to win me back, to prove we were worth a second shot, made my smile return.
Because, despite the heartache and the catharsis, that kiss was what I kept returning to. I wanted more of that.
“Chef, table seven sent this back.” This time when Lucy returned, her tone was apologetic. She placed a dish in front of me. “They said the risotto is… overdone.” Her pause let me know the diner had said more than that.
“Overdone?” My jaw dropped, and my feet didn’t feel like dancing anymore. I had made the dish myself. I glanced down at the creamy swirl of shrimp risotto, the pink crustaceans peeking through like hidden treasures. Tasting a spoonful, I let the flavors settle on my tongue. It was cooked to perfection, just the right bite to the rice, the richness of the stock marrying beautifully with the seafood.
“Lucy, this is exactly how it’s supposed to be.” My frustration simmered beneath my calm exterior.
Lucy rolled her eyes. “I know. This guest has been complaining about everything since she got here. She ate at Dorado this afternoon and I heard all about it. The coffee was too hot, the toast on her sandwich too crispy?—”
I shook my head decisively. “Doesn’t matter. The last thing I want is her unhappy and making a scene. Tell the woman I’m sorry to hear the risotto wasn’t acceptable. I can make her another one, but risotto isn’t Minute Rice. It’ll take a little while.”
But Lucy was already shaking her head. “She said she doesn’t want a replacement.”
I schooled my face into a mask of professional regret. “Offer her a dessert on the house, then. Maybe the lemon panna cotta? That’s Rea’s specialty and everyone loves it.”
“You got it.” Lucy nodded, already pivoting on her heel to smooth things over.
As she scurried away, I stared at the offending dish. Doubt crept in, wrapping its gnarled fingers around my confidence. Was it perfect, though? Orchid was the culinary heart of the Lower Keys. Every dish that left my kitchen carried my reputation with it. And my dreams.
“Chef, you okay?” asked Luis, concern furrowing his brow.
“Fine,” I lied, plastering a smile on my face. “I think I’ll step out for some fresh air for a few minutes, though.”
He nodded, looking unconvinced, and returned to his station. I drew a deep breath, the familiar scents of thyme and garlic grounding me. I couldn’t let self-doubt sabotage me. Not when I had fought tooth and nail to get here. Orchid was my vision brought to life, and I’d be damned if I let one persnickety guest shake my resolve.
Stepping out the back door, the bracing air was a welcome respite. The breeze tousled my hair as I walked toward the covered outdoor area where guests often enjoyed their meals al fresco.
But my reprieve was short-lived when I saw several empty hangers dangling from wrought iron posts along the path. Empty hangers where handmade lanterns should have been. I stopped cold, gaping at the edge of the path. The lanterns weren’t just decorations. They were antiques that had hung for decades, part of the Calypso Key legacy.
Like the orchids that had gone missing.
And the hedge trimmers might not be ornamental, but they hadn’t grown fins and swum away either.
“Ben Coleridge,” I muttered under my breath. It had to be. All the thefts had taken place outdoors, where he worked. And God knew he’d never accomplished anything productive or upstanding in his whole sorry life. My phone vibrated in the pocket of my chef’s jacket. Pulling it out, I saw Hunter’s name flashing on the screen. A smile tugged at my lips despite my frustration. “Hey, you.”
“How’s my big sister doing?”
The smile dropped off my face. I glared at the ground, dirt scattered on the side of the path. “It’s been a pretty stressful shift. And it’s only half over.”
“You sound pissed. What’s up?”
“You have great timing. I just noticed several missing lanterns outside Orchid. You know, the antique ones?” I paced, kicking at an innocent pebble. “And of course, there’s the whole Aiden situation.”
“Wait. Back up. Missing lanterns and Aiden? That’s one hell of a cocktail. I take it things have heated up between you and the good doctor.”
I’d always been able to discuss my problems with Hunter. Though not a big talker about his own difficulties, he was a great listener. I eased out a long sigh. “Yeah. He kissed me. And I… well, I guess I kissed him back. But I’m not sure if I should dive into whatever this is. Not now, with everything at stake career-wise.”
“Stella, you’re the most stubbornly independent woman I know. People do manage to juggle both careers and boyfriends rather regularly.”
“Whoa. Boyfriend is a strong term. And how would you know? When was the last time you dated anyone?”
He didn’t rise to the bait or the subject change. “No comment. Focus on what matters, sis. I doubt Aiden’s the same guy who took off years ago. And you’re not the same girl.”
