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Emory lets out a rueful sigh.
“Don’t get me wrong, I do really like dogs, but I wouldn’t say being a dog walker was something I dreamed of my whole life. But after I lost my job in the city, I needed something fast before my dad could start setting up interviews for me with his old buddies from the corporate world. So I came up with dog-walking. After all, I’ve always loved animals, and I even have a degree in zoology. Besides, I knew my parents’ rich friends would love to pay someone to walk their dogs so that they don’t have to.”
I let out a belly laugh then, and she nods.
“Yeah, it seems everyone around here works some high-powered job, so the pooches are by themselves at home most days. A dog-walker is a must.”
I nod slowly.
“True, true. Do you have a lot of other clients? Besides Newton and me of course.”
Emory nods enthusiastically.
“Yeah,” she burbles. “It’s actually going pretty well, and a lot better than I anticipated. I’ve signed quite a few clients in the last month, and I’ve actually started thinking about taking the business to the next level. Maybe I can turn it into something more than a side gig. Maybe I can hire other dogwalkers to work for me, and then I’ll have a real business!”
Nodding, I smile.
“That sounds wonderful honey, and it’s similar to how I got started in the restaurant business actually.”
Emory raises an eyebrow.
“Really?”
Laughing, I nod my head.
“Yeah, because my first job in the culinary world was just a side gig. I actually majored in finance at college and then landed a job at a bank. But it fucking sucked, and it didn’t take long to realize that I hated it. To be honest, they knew too and fired me, so then I had to find something fast to bring in money, and there was a restaurant near where I lived that needed a dishwasher.”
I pause as soft footsteps approach, and sure enough, we’re interrupted for a moment as Alicia and Albert enter with our entrees. But then my staff is gone with a flash, and we stare at the mains before us.
“Wow,” Emory breathes. “This looks and smells amazing.”
“It’s pomegranate marinated duck breast with whipped potatoes and Brussel sprouts. You like?”
Emory cuts off a piece of duck and moans around the fork as she puts it in her mouth.
“Yes, definitely. I’ve never had duck before, and clearly I’ve been missing out.”
I smirk.
“Well, I’m glad I could be the one to introduce you to new things.”
She giggles too.
“Oh, you’ve introduced me to more than just food, Mr. Henley. But going on: so you started as a dishwasher?”
I nod.
“Yes. It was my very first job in the restaurant business, and it wasn’t bad to be honest. I definitely liked it more than the bank, that’s for sure. But I started getting into the culinary world then, and took every opportunity I could to watch chefs and learn from them. Then, I’d practice at home and honestly, some of the skills I developed are from watching Food TV.”
“Oh my God, I love that channel!” Emory squeals. “My fave is the Iron Chef series. I know the show came out ages ago, but I still love it.”
“The Food Network and Food TV have revolutionized our industry,” I agree. “And things happened slowly at first. I went from dishwasher, to bus boy, and then chopping vegetables in the back. I got my first big break when a sous chef job opened up, and from there, I worked my way up to chef to cuisine, and tried to make a name for myself. Finally, I was able to branch out and open my own restaurant. I’ve been very fortunate, and it’s been a dream to helm Eat & Co. Don’t get me wrong because it’s stressful as fuck, but I love it.”
Emory smiles.
“But still, you’re very successful,” she says. “You’re a CEO now! And it’s nice knowing that even Logan Henley has faced some of the same uphill battles that I have. Like getting fired. I know I mentioned it briefly, but that’s basically why I ended up back at my parents’ house.”
I quirk a grin at her.
“Sounds like our stories are even more similar than I thought.”
She nods.
“Yeah, it wasn’t exactly my finest moment, but it wasn’t the worst either. It’s more like I didn’t pass inspection, more than I actually got fired.”
My eyebrows draw together in confusion.
“Inspection? What, like an object or a car?”
She laughs softly.
“No, because I didn’t have a traditional job.” She takes a deep breath. “Actually, the company I worked for in the city was an escort agency. I was trying to get started in the escort business,” she clarifies.
I don’t know what to say for a moment.
“Are you serious?” I ask.
Emory takes a deep breath and meets my eyes.
