Catering to Love by Carolyn Hughey

good news is, by the time it rolls around again, you’ll be used to the temperatures and it won’t feel so cold.”
    “Ya think so, huh?”
    “Yeah, you’ll adjust. I promise,” she said, holding her hand up to swear.
    “Ms. Johnson,” a man’s voice called out from downstairs. Gabi walked to the door. “We’re all finished. I have your bill here.”
    “Okay, come upstairs and I’ll write you a check.”
    “Well, I’d better let you get to your work.” Stephanie stood to leave.
    “No, hang out for a little while. Want to go out for pizza this evening?”
    “I have to take a rain check on tonight. I have a date,” Stephanie said, smiling.
    “Hold that thought!” Gabi said, and quickly went to hand the mover his check. “Please tell your men thank you.”
    “Good luck to you, Ms. Johnson. I hope you do well.”
    “Me too. Come over and try out the restaurant sometime.”
    “Oh, I will. My wife and I love the food here at Carters’.”
    “Good, I’m glad.” Gabi smiled and waved as Jimmy walked down the hall. She turned to Stephanie excitedly, “So, who is your date with?”
    “A former classmate of mine. He’s back in town. Funny thing is, he’s staying at the motel, so we see each other quitea bit. He says he’s looking for a place to rent, so since I’m off tomorrow, he wants me to go looking with him.”
    “That should be fun. Is he cute? Do you like him?”
    “Yes, he’s awesome. He’s sexy, and I hope he’s crazy about me by the end of the night.”
    “Whoa! That sounds promising.”

Toweling off, Gabi began to hum as she looked around the suite. It felt good to be settled and ready to take the world by storm. Slipping her arms into her chef’s jacket, she decided today she would meet with the staff to find out what their career goals were and where they saw themselves at Carters’. A swipe of gloss across her lips, and she headed downstairs. Corey was already in the kitchen turning on the ovens.
    “Good morning,” she said, “I hope you had a good day off.”
    “It wasn’t anything special,” he said. “Did you get all your stuff moved in?”
    “I did.” She noticed he was wearing a T-shirt. “By the way, I’ve been meaning to mention I’d like the staff dressed professionally. I’m sure you have a few chef’s jackets hanging around your place.”
    “I do, but they have the name of my restaurant above my name.”
    “Well, you could have that embroidery removed by a tailor. Or you could do it yourself. It’s not very difficult to do.”He gave a shake of his head. “So I’d like you to start wearing them.”
    “Fine,” he said, his tone riddled with insolence.
    By ten thirty, the kitchen was hopping with activity. She walked to the center of the kitchen. “Guys… can I have your attention for a minute?” All eyes turned toward her. “Starting tomorrow, I’d like each of you to wear your chef’s jackets when you’re working in the kitchen. I’m a firm believer in dressing the part.” Everyone but Corey nodded in agreement. Steven was the first to say something.
    “My wife will be happy about that. I’ve been getting my shirts pretty soiled, and she hasn’t been real happy about that.”
    “Thank you, Steven.” Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Corey give Steven the brownnose signal. She chose to ignore it. “Steven, do you have a few minutes?”
    “Sure, what do you want?”
    “Let’s go to my office.” Steven stopped what he was doing and followed her. She closed the door, and he took a seat.
    “Uh-oh, what did I do wrong?”
    She laughed. “Nothing. I just want to know what goals you’re aiming to achieve in your culinary career.”
    “Oh wow! No one has ever asked me that before. I’m not sure I even know how to answer that.”
    “Okay. Then let me ask it in another way. Is Carters’ your first job in a restaurant?”
    “No. I’ve worked at a few other places, but they weren’t as big as this restaurant.”
    “Where do you