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"Between you and me, the warningwaswarranted. My grandmothers can be a bit much, but they mean well."
What am I doing?I was always 100 percent business with my employees, especially a new hire, and yet here I was, openly talking about the family. I broke eye contact because it seemed to cloud my judgment. "I'll introduce you to them, and then I’ll show you the kitchen.”
"Thank you. Julian said it’s important for your grandmothers to like me. Are they part of the kitchen team?”
Fucking hell!I needed to have another word with my brother.
“They used to be chefs in the family restaurants a long time ago. And they’ve both been filling in here since our last chef quit. But no, they’re not part of the daily operations.”
She frowned. “Then I don’t understand...”
“The business is important to everyone in the family. And this restaurant means a lot to them.”
“Okay.”
“Don’t worry about anything. Just follow my lead.”
Her eyes widened and her lips parted, but she didn’t say anything.
With great difficulty, I snapped my gaze away from her mouth and pointed toward the table where they were all sitting, three sets of eyes fixed on Scarlett. To her credit, she was walking with her head held high. I couldn’t help drinking her in. Her ass was round and perfect, her neck was slim and inviting... and I was losing my mind.
“Everyone, I’d like you to meet our new chef, Scarlett Jones. I already told her that you’d give her a warm welcome because this is our family business.”
“Nice to meet you,” Scarlett replied with a smile. “I can’t say I’ve ever had a welcoming committee before.”
"These are my grandmothers, Isabeau and Celine, and my mom."
"I'm Adele," Mom said.
"We've been holding down the fort until you got here," Isabeau explained.
"And you wanted to see who would take over in your stead." Scarlett replied.
"I have full confidence in you," I told her, more for my grandmothers’ benefit. Even so, Scarlett seemed to grow an inch taller as she gave me a wide smile that completely disarmed me. Wasn't she used to people complimenting her?
"Thank you," she said. "That's nice to know."
"You've never been a chef before," Isabeau stated.
"Isabeau," I said in a cautioning tone. “Scarlett has an impressive résumé, and I know she’ll do great.”
I intended to lead Scarlett directly to the kitchen, but she cleared her throat.
"No one's ever given me the opportunity,” she said with a nervous laugh, “but I'm deeply grateful for this one, and I promise not to make a mess of things. In fact, if I feel that I’m not up to the task, I will gladly hand in my resignation. I wouldnever dream of hurting the reputation of LeBlanc & Broussard’s. Please don't worry about that."
Isabeau was looking at her with her mouth open. Celine simply blinked. Mom smiled, pride etched on her face. This woman was something else. She’d neutralized both my grandmothers with nothing but honesty.
"Now that introductions are out of the way, I want to show Scarlett to the kitchen," I announced.
"Sure. It was nice meeting you," Scarlett said.
Without thinking, I put a hand at the small of her back as I led her toward the kitchen. She sucked in a breath at the contact, and I immediately jerked my hand away.
What the hell? Why did I do that?I’d never touched an employee before. I was way more professional than that.
Clearing my head, I told her, "You were phenomenal."
Scarlett turned her head, looking straight at me. "You think? Your grandmothers were more intimidating than I expected."
