Page 22 of Finding Yesterday
“Pops, she just made that up for us on short notice. She didn’t have everything, and they look great.”
Max folds his arms, narrowing his eyes at me. “If Jack hires you, are you gonna give me a hard time about eating meat?”
“I would never do that.” I lift my chin and flash a teasing grin. “Unless you start barbecuing puppies.”
“See!” He points at me but looks at Jack. “I knew it. This garden gobbler is gonna give me grief.” He shifts his gaze to me, his thick, gray brows knitting like a caterpillar. “You people are too uptight. You can’t even enjoy a fine T-bone.”
I gasp. “You don’t know me. I have a good time, no bones necessary.” At the thought of earlier in Jack’s office, I close my eyes, reeling. My face is hot when I put the tray of potatoes down.
Pops takes a big spoonful of my potatoes and plops them in his mouth. After chewing he says, “Not bad. Would be better with the parsley.”
My cheeks ache from holding a painted smile. “Oh, come on now, that’s just for presentation, Pops.” I didn’t mean to call him that—it just slipped out after hearing Jack say it.
“It’s ‘sir’ to you!” He shakes his finger.
“I’m sorry,sir.” I narrow my eyes at him. I liked him much better when he was the town hermit, off and living on his lone farm, never to be seen.
I’m reminded that this whole interview is silly. As a vegetarian, I don’t want to work at a steakhouse. And soon, The Fine Bone will be run by the grumpy Max Brady,notJack. This is clearly not a good fit for me. That yearning for my old life at Tangz kicks back in, and my eyes mist.
My old life, which is gone,allof it.
“Hey, kid!” Pops snaps his fingers at me. “The parsley is a critical part of the flavor,” he continues, frowning.
“Pops, she didn’t have it,” Jack yells.
That lump forms in my throat, and I want to get out of here. I compose myself before I turn to Jack and say, “Thanks for the interview—”
“Wait, Claire,” Jack cuts in. “He’s not always like this. He grows on people.”
“It’s not that.” I shake my head, backing up. “Well, notjustthat. I’m sorry, but this isn’t going to work.” I grab my purse. I need to get out of here before I cry in front of Jack.Again. “Best of luck finding someone.”
I rush out of the restaurant without looking back.
CHAPTER TEN
I’M ON Amission to figure out how to run my own place. Well, and build some confidence to help me get over the fear of it all.
Today, I came to Atlanta, visiting the Virginia-Highland neighborhood. I’m taking Emma up on her offer to get a tutorial from her friend, River Sache. River owns a top vegetarian restaurant here, and she’s really nice, so I’m sure she’ll tell me everything she can.
I pull up to The Violet Root, her restaurant on Virginia Avenue, the perfect location. Quaintly nestled between all the funky and colorful shops and restaurants, it gets a ton of foot traffic.
When I walk in, the place is hopping, and it’s not even eleven yet. The decor gets five out of five stars—the walls are textured like melting wax with LED lighting, and the multi-level wood ceiling has tiny canned lights, which look like stars. Bright, artistic dishes are served on all the tables. Even the customers, mostly funky hipsters, add to the ambiance.
The restaurant fits the neighborhood with its modern industrial vibe, although I prefer more intimate, down-to-earth, and cozy. But no doubt, this style brings in the crowds and surely a solid profit on the meals.
River, dressed in a black tie with suspenders, waves me to the kitchen, and I follow her there.
We go back into her office where she hugs me. “Glad to see you’re up and about. You know, after everything.”
“Yeah, I’m bouncing back,” I reply with a smile, trying to believe my own words.
“Take a seat.” She waves me into the velour chair before she sits behind her desk. “So, where are you living now?”
“With my dad in Blue Vine, but that’s temporary.” I’m fine living at Daddy’s, but somehow telling River this in her ultra-cool restaurant makes me feel like a loser. I bat a hand, ready to shift the topic. “So, I love what you’ve done with the restaurant! It was always awesome, but it’s come a long way since I was here last.”
“Yes, thank you. My wife did an amazing job with the decor.”
“She really did.”
