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He was winning. Time to cut the ground from under her feet while he was still ahead. “Let’s get to work, and see how I can help you with your business. I hear you catered very successfully for Hunter last week.”
Her features grew animated. “Oh, yes, I’ve been meaning to thank you for the referral.”
“It was nothing.” With a wave of his hand, he dismissed it. “Hunter was impressed.”
“One of his guests called earlier today and asked me for a quote for a New Year’s Eve party.”
“Word of mouth. The best way to get known.”
“It’s an enormous relief. If I can make this work…” She fell silent.
He waited.
Finally she gave a soft sigh. “Things have been…tense at The Golden Goose. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll have a job. With the economic climate there has been talk of retrenchments.”
It surprised him that she’d chosen to confide in him. Normally she worked so hard to keep him at arm’s length. “You won’t be affected.”
She nibbled her lip. “I wish I could be so certain.”
Callum got the sense she didn’t share personal fears easily. “What makes you think that? You’re overqualified for that place, you’re diligent.” He leaned back. “And you cook like a dream.”
She gave him a quick smile. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. I’ve stayed at the Goose because of the convenience—it’s close to home. But I’m the junior chef—and the other chef makes life hard.”
“I get it. You’re young. You’re good at what you do. And you probably don’t earn what he does. I’m not surprised you threaten him.”
Spreading her hands, she said, “Maybe you’re right. I’ve wondered if it’s that. But it doesn’t help that whenever there are accidents in the kitchen, Gianni always manages to blame me—even if I was somewhere else. Not to mention the times he tells Mick I’m late when I arrive bang on time.”
“You don’t need to put up with it. You could get a much better job if you wanted. In a place like this.” He gestured to the fine white linen and sparkling silverware on their table, then waved his arm to encompass the rest of the restaurant with its elegant high ceilings, bay windows and alcoves, and the ivory curtains draped in swags.
“Can I? There’s a cloud over my father. People remember scandals like embezzlement. They worry about the fruit not falling far from the tree.” There was no bitterness in her voice.
“You’d have references.”
“Really?” She raised an eyebrow. “What kind of a reference would I get?” Her expression was skeptical. “Gianni and the boss are friends—they even flat together.”
Callum resisted the impulse to tell her that he would supply a reference to any restaurant she chose. He suspected she’d rather do things her own way. “Then focus on the catering business that Adrian says you’ve always dreamed of. You’ve already made a start. Have you got a business plan?”
She nodded.
“I’ll look at it if you want.” He drew an envelope from his pocket. “Here’s a list of names with contact numbers of executives I know who would be more than happy to give you work. Go the whole way.”
Hesitantly she took the list from him, unfolding it to glance through the names. From her expression he knew that she’d recognized several of them as movers and shakers in the city.
“I’ve already contacted most of them to let them know you’ll be calling them.”
“It’s not that easy,” she protested. “I’d planned to ease in gradually, but times are hard. Even established businesses are failing, and I have responsibilities.”
Despite her confident façade, Miranda was afraid. Something inside him cracked a little. “The last name is an accountant who’ll be able to steer you through the pitfalls of running a small business—she’s an old friend of our family.”
There was an expression in her eyes he couldn’t read. Was she thinking of her family? Her father? Was she blaming him for how her father’s death had landed her in this position?
