Page 96 of The Chef

I also know one other thing.

“I love you,” I reply.

I know that completely.

34

THREE MONTHS LATER

BAY

The restaurant is thriving.

We’re full, and it’s a Monday night, what should be the quietest night of the week and we’re full.

I’m busy cooking food in the kitchen, my hands dancing from pan to stove to dish, serving up amazing food. I take a peek out of the pass to double-check on the front of house.

Yeah, the restaurant is packed out.

The coolest spot in New Water. The hippest joint in town.

And it’s all down to Cliff and I’s hard work these last few months.

Oh, and someone else’s hard work as well.

Dominika.

She’s in the kitchen next to me. She came back a few weeks after our re-opening, her family well-taken care of back in Europe. She walked through the front doors of Rockpool one sunny afternoon and asked for her job back.

Cliff and I had no choice but to take her back because she never lost that job.

It was always waiting for her.

Neither Cliff nor I have seen Cleo Dash since she stormed out of Rockpool. She’s now engaged to some famous bodybuilder, someone who’s as equally into posing for selfies on Instagram as she is.

I hope she’s happy. I’ve got nothing against her.

I’ve found my happiness, and it’s here. In this kitchen. In this restaurant with Cliff Finn.

“Try this,” Dominika forces a cooked prawn under my nose, her soft Polish accent a reassuring voice in the busy kitchen.

“Alright.” I bite down on the food. “Wow, Dominika. That’s delicious.”

She doesn’t reply beyond a cheeky wink before she’s back hard at work in her section.

We need all hands on deck tonight.

Our tables are packed out.

The kitchen doors burst open and in strolls Cliff, his muscular arms pushing aside the swinging doors with ease.

“Hey girls,” he says as he enters with that cocky swagger of his.

“Hey, Cliff,” Dominika replies. “Stay out of our way if you know what’s good for you. We’re cooking up a storm here.”

“I don’t doubt you are.”

“What do you want?” I ask him as I wipe down a plate.