Julieta pursed her lips. “I’ll think about it.”
Mamá pointed a long nail in Julieta’s face. “But mija, whateveryou do, don’t get involved with him. I know he is handsome and rich, but you need to keep this professional.”
“I know, Mamá.” She didn’t have to like him. Or sleep with him. Well, maybe just once. Twice, tops! Third time’s a charm. She was in control. Right?
They arrived home. She loved the bright lime-and-tangerine-colored shingles on her roof. Julieta couldn’t wait to decorate for Christmas—it was always her father’s favorite holiday. But this year would be her first Nochebuena without him. She needed to make it special for Mamá.
And if she took this job, she would have the money to buy her family nice presents.
Julieta leashed up Taco and took him for a walk. As her dog dawdled, she glanced at her phone.
She shot off an email.
Ramón,
Thank you for the offer. I am pleased to let you know that I will accept this position under the provision that I get to hire my own staff, keep my current employees, and have full control over the menu. Please put that in writing.
Sincerely,
Julieta
She pressed send. Her stomach was in knots.
Julieta took her dog back inside and grabbed an old vintage bottle of tequila that she had been saving for a special occasion. It had been her father’s. She needed the liquor to mask her uncertainty.
She filled two glasses and handed one to Mamá.
“I accepted.”
Mamá embraced her, and they spent the next three hours emptying the bottle and cursing irresistible taco-thieving men. They even began looking at vacations and real estate. And for once all their lofty financial goals were within reach.
She checked her phone a final time before she went to bed.
There was another email from Ramón.
Julieta,
I’m thrilled that you have accepted. I am amenable to all your requirements and will happily put them in writing. I will come by on Monday morning to go over the details.
I’m looking forward to working with you.
Sincerely,
Ramón
Chapter Fourteen
Ramón woke bright and early. Today was the first step in preparing the new restaurant. And he’d be working side by side with sexy chef Julieta.
Ramón had already read himself the riot act. Yes, he wanted her. No, he wouldn’t hit on her. He was now her boss, and the last thing he needed was a sexual harassment lawsuit.
He gathered his briefcase. A flutter rose in his chest—was he nervous? Ramón was never, ever nervous.
He pushed aside that unfamiliar feeling and left for Barrio Logan.
The traffic was light today, but he wasn’t a fan of this commute—or any commute, for that matter. If he was going to work in Barrio Logan daily—which he would be doing for this project for at least six months—maybe he should buy a place closer. Coronado was the obvious choice, just across the bridge.
Yup, that sounded like a plan. He placed a call to his real estate agent.
