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“Jer, you here?” Zander called as they wandered between empty tables toward the bar that ran along the back of the room.
“Right out,” someone, probably Jer, called from the kitchen.
Twenty seconds later, before she fully had her bearings, Jeremy Osten strolled out of the kitchen, two big baskets in his hands. He set the dishes of peanuts and pretzels on the bar and reached out to shake Zander’s hand.
“Dude, how are you?” Jeremy grinned. He didn’t wait for an answer, he turned to Heather and smiled a ten-thousand-megawatt smile. “And who is your lovely friend?”
She stepped forward and thrust her hand at him. “Heather Olsen. I’m honored to meet you, Mr. Osten.”
“Lovely to meet you. Call me Jer or Jeremy.” He kept smiling and without breaking his gaze said, “Dude, you know I’m not open for another half hour. But I’ll forgive you for bringing me this glorious creature.” He winked.
“Can I see your kitchen? Can we talk cooking?” she blurted.
Jeremy laughed. “Absolutely. This one’s a charmer.” He led her behind the bar into the kitchen leaving Zander behind.
“What about me?” Zander asked, a laugh in his voice. “She’s my date.”
“What about you?” Jer quipped. “Heather are you a chef or just a fan?” he asked.
“Both. I loved you onIron Chef. I’m the chef at the Inn on Half Moon Bay. Zander’s brother owns it. I was blessed that they hired me.” She looked around at all the gleaming stainless-steel surfaces. “Wow. This is amazing. So different from the outside. What brought you to Half Moon Bay?”
“I’m glad you like it. I got tired of the rat race. I wanted some peace and quiet. I sold my chain of restaurants and here I am.”
“You retired?”
“Not really, no. I just wanted to have more free time. I love the ocean. I came here on vacation and never left. I’m ready for a family and couldn’t do that and run eight restaurants at the same time. What can I cook for you? Or what can we cook together?” He winked again, this time more seriously.
She laughed. “I’m with Zander,” she said. “But I’d love to cook with you.”
“Lucky dude. My loss. But if you ever change your mind and want a real man, you know where to find me.” His voice was full of teasing.
Zander groaned. “Dude.”
Jer totally ignored herboyfriend. “Okay then, what shall we cook?”
“Oh, do you have a signature dish? Zander said thesalmon with macadamia nuts and fried shallotswas to die for. Can we make that?”
“As it happens that is my signature dish for The Shack. It’s a cold dish, but I’m game. Let’s turn up the heat in this kitchen.” He winked again.
Wow. The guy was all flirt, but in a fun, friendly way. Once upon a time it might have been entertaining to date him, today he held absolutely no appeal beyond his cooking skills. In comparison to Zander, he came up short.
“I’m honored that you’ll cook with me.” She grinned. She was more than a little star-struck and showing her fangirl and didn’t care in the least. She totally needed his autograph. “Dang. If I’d known I was going to meet you, I would have brought your book. You could have autographed it.”
“Swing by anytime. Always happy to sign for a fan.”
“Jer .…” Zander’s voice held a light warning.
“Zander can be our gopher since he can’t cook,” Jeremy quipped in response. “There’s a pen and paper in the office,” he jabbed toward the corner with his thumb. “Can you grab them, Zander? I’m sure your lovely date will want to copy the recipe.”
Zander wandered toward the office.
“You’d let me do that?” she gushed.
“Under the condition that you never share it, use it only for personal use, and if you plan to serve it publicly, you must modify it into something entirely your own. I don’t give out my secrets lightly.”
“Then why are you sharing?” She didn’t want to seem ungrateful, but it seemed odd that he’d eagerly share his signature dish. Not that she couldn’t figure it out with enough practice.
Jeremy leaned close and whispered, “Because it bugs the heck out of Zander that we’re working together.” He laughed.
