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This Saturday was no exception. And since she was visiting Pippa’s restaurant, her hopes were higher than usual. She didn’t even know if Luke ate at The Local Table all that often, and yet here she was, wearing a pale blue summer dress.
Her eyes scanned the immediate area of the restaurant when she stood at the hostess’s podium to wait to be seated. Every time she caught sight of short, dark hair, her breath caught in her throat. But then the man would turn just enough to make it clear that he was not who she was looking for.
“Allie! I didn’t expect you to come today. What are you doing here?” Pippa launched herself at Allie and threw her arms around her. When she pulled back, she grinned widely. “I thought you said you were going to let me know before you came.”
“I’m letting you know now,” Allie said in a small voice. “Besides, it’s almost the end of the month and I said I’d come in October. Did you forget?” Allie smiled and scrunched up her nose.
Pippa laughed, looping her arm through Allie’s. “I’m just glad you came. I thought for sure you’d cancel on me. But now you’re here and I’m so excited to have you try a dish I’m working on.” She tugged Allie toward the swinging doors that would take them to the kitchen all the while describing the dish that required a reduction which was never a bad thing.
“That sounds so yummy! I can’t wait to taste it.”
“You’re going to love it. I may have some tweaks to make, but when you taste it you can help me figure that part out.” Pippa turned and reached for Allie’s hand just before they went into the kitchen. “I really am glad you’re here. I’ve missed you.”
Allie looked at her friend and nodded. “Me, too.”
Allie shamelessly continued searching for that certain someone on their trek to the kitchen and couldn’t decide if she was more disappointed or relieved when she entered the busy chef’s domain without seeing him at all.
Sizzles, smoke, and steam filled the area. Chefs and waitresses alike called out to one another. Pans clanged, dishes clattered, knives thumped against cutting boards. This was the surest sign of all the hard work and vision Pippa had put together when she was in high school. Who knew someone that wasn’t classically trained could open a restaurant that was deserving of Michelin stars?
At least Allie thought so.
“You wait here. I’m going to get our food and then we’re going to get a table in the back so we can catch up.” Pippa’s squeal sounded more like the squeak of a squirrel before she darted off just like the animal she emulated.
Allie glanced around her, noting the different tools and sharp objects. This place was louder than her classroom during Christmas. If she waited too long, her ears would begin ringing just from the sounds surrounding her.
The only saving grace was the smell of delicious food as it wrapped around her like a boa constrictor, making her mouth water with every little nuance she experienced.
“Okay, follow me.” Pippa returned, balancing four dishes in her arms. She jerked her chin toward the doors and grinned. “I can’t wait for you to get a whiff of what I’m cooking up. Just you wait until you try it. Your tastebuds are going to demand you never leave this place.”
“I don’t have any doubt,” Allie murmured.
They headed back through the crowded restaurant then took a left toward a more vacant area. Pippa placed the dishes on the table with a flourish then laughed. “I guess you can tell I’ve been missing the whole waitressing gig.”
Allie smiled, taking a seat across from her best friend. “Yeah. But I mean, look at all of this.” She gestured around them. The restaurant had started from nothing and now they sat here in a room full of people for a lunch rush. “You have to admit that you made your dream a reality and it couldn’t have happened without your hard work and vision.”
Pippa shrugged as if to brush off Allie’s compliment, but her eyes and her smile made it clear she was eating it all up. She motioned toward the food. “Dig in. And tell me what you think about it.”
Each plate had a different menu item. Chicken, beef, pasta, and sliders. They all looked better than the last. Allie pushed aside her disappointment over Luke and picked up a fork. She cut into the breaded chicken and swirled it in a creamy sauce then placed it in her mouth.
Salt and savory flavors hit her tastebuds, exploding in a combination that brought a moan from her lips. “This is amazing, Pippa!”
“Right? The secret is the extra little bit of kick I added to the sauce. It’s made with a combination of cayenne and bourbon. All of these dishes have a version of the sauce.”
Allie took another bite and another. “You’ve done it again. I can’t believe how good this is!”
Pippa beamed. “I’m so glad you like it.” She picked up her fork and took a bite as well. “I’ve been playing around with the combination of spices lately and when this one happened, it was just…” she kissed her fingertips. “Tell me about what’s going on with you? School going well? Have those little fourth graders driven you crazy yet? Are you ready to come work for me?” She laughed, winking.
Rolling her eyes, Allie leaned back in her seat. “First of all, school is great and there’s no way I’m going to stop being a teacher even if you offered me a million dollars.”
Her friend lifted a brow. “Is that so?”
“Yeah. It’s so. I knew what I wanted to do for my career since I was a kid, remember?”
“Not even for a million dollars?” Pippa pressed.
Allie laughed. “Okay, maybe you could persuade me for a million dollars.”
Pippa laughed along with her. “Good. I was almost going to start worrying about you. So what’s up? Anything new besides work?”
