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“Eventually, but you’ve got to start from the bottom.”
The kid definitely couldn’t hide his feelings. They were displayed as plain as day on his face. He was not a happy camper.
Working in a kitchen was very militaristic. There were distinct job descriptions. Ultimately, Finn was the captain and everyone else yielded to his command. Although he’d never use the position to mistreat or pull a power trip, he was in charge and everyone knew and accepted it.
Immediately his mind went to the bedroom and the thought of exercising his power there…and Veronica yielding to his command.
“Finn?”
He shook his head and focused on Cal in front of him. He had no idea how long he might have been talking. Great leadership skills, Finn. Why listen to his employees when he could fantasize about dominating a woman? Christ.
“I appreciate you getting my sister off my back,” Cal was saying, “but…a dishwasher?”
Finn frowned. “As far as I’m concerned, your sister should be all over your back after your little dropout stunt.” It wasn’t the smartest move on Cal’s part. Although, in truth, taking a year off wasn’t the end of the world. Not that he’d ever say it out loud, especially within earshot of Veronica.
“Shit. Is there anything she doesn’t tell you?” the kid muttered in disgust.
There were lots of things she didn’t tell him. Such as, how sexy she was underneath those glasses and conservative clothes.
“How do you know it wasn’t Mark who told me?” he returned.
That shut Cal up pretty quickly.
Finn went into the usual new-hire spiel. “We have a team meeting every day at four o’clock, one hour before the doors open.” He walked over to the grill where Richard was watching over a batch of red peppers. Their skin bubbled and blackened.
Cal trailed reluctantly behind, eyeing the peppers.
“At our meeting we discuss the specials, any preparation issues, and we have a meal. Nothing elaborate, it’s more to keep us fueled for the night.”
Cal’s eyebrow lifted in surprise. But his gaze was still fixated on the peppers. Finally, he asked, “Aren’t you burning those?”
“The more burned the skin, the more smoky the flavor. We use roasted red peppers for a few things on the menu.”
“Well, if burning menu items is a good thing at this restaurant, you should have hired Veronica, not me.”
Finn laughed, and so did Richard. Erin snorted from her spot tending a pot of boiling water. They were all familiar with Veronica’s cooking skills—or rather, lack of them.
“Everything you learn here, Cal, you’ll be able to take with you into the real world.” A man needed to know how to take care of himself first, before he could even think about being able to care for a family. A lesson his mother had taught him. “Besides, all women love a man who can cook.”
Cal straightened and preened. “I can cook some stuff.”
“Oh, yeah? Like what?”
“Spaghetti. French fries and chicken fingers.” He listed the items off on his fingers.
“Very gourmet, kid,” Chris said drily as he butterflied a piece of veal.
“Sounds like something Veronica would make.” Finn chuckled. “You’ve been living with your sister for too long.”
Cal shoulders instantly tightened and he froze in place. “I’m not leaving her. You can’t make me.”
“Whoa, there.” Finn raised his hands in defense. That was not the reaction he’d been anticipating. He’d merely been commenting on Veronica’s love of quick and easy meals—mainly of the frozen variety. But Cal had taken his joke to heart.
“Well, I’m not!”
“I didn’t say you have to leave,” Finn assured him, “but if you don’t find something productive to do with your time, Veronica might have other ideas.”
It took all of ten seconds for the kid to change his tune as he lowered his eyes to the floor and his voice cracked as he said, “Fine. What do I have to do?”
