Love All Year 2021 by KD Casey & Kosoko Jackson & Hudson Lin & Jasmine Luck & Elsie Marrone & October Rhea & Soumi Roy

Author:KD Casey & Kosoko Jackson & Hudson Lin & Jasmine Luck & Elsie Marrone & October Rhea & Soumi Roy
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: holiday romance, romance anthology
Publisher: Elizabeth Kahn
Published: 2021-09-21T00:00:00+00:00

“AMANDA, START WITH the greens, would you? A little finer than last time if you can. Ahmed, can you unpack the duck delivery and check it over? They were stingy last time, more bone than meat. I need to know if we should reconsider our supplier. And Meymuna, start on the salad greens, if you would.”

The staff scrambled to follow her directions with a chorus of “Yes, Chefs,” and Zoey wished it was as easy to chat in large groups as it was to delegate tasks in a busy kitchen. She didn’t feel under scrutiny here or under pressure to make small talk about the weather or share any feelings she didn’t want to expose to others. Here, she was in her element.

A waitress dropped off some new orders, and Zoey scanned them before passing the Head Chef the ones for the Wagyu beef gyoza and king crab platter—only he cooked those high-end, expensive dishes.

The tamarind satay and dim sum orders she kept for herself, and the starters and sides she farmed out to the other kitchen staff.

The kitchen hummed with activity, each part a well-oiled machine. She’d flown over for the interview with a ball of anxiety in her stomach about how she’d fit in. Would anyone like her? Would she like them? Would she be able to settle into a routine?

It had been surprisingly easy.

Her work life brought her great joy. It was just her personal life that needed a shit-ton of work.

If only it was as easy to sauté, chop and bake adult friendships.

“Chef?”

Both Zoey and the Head Chef, Max, looked up at the same time to see Ahmed hovering.

“Sous Chef. Sorry. There’s someone to see you. Says his name is Nate?”

Zoey checked the progress of the har gow and gyoza in the steamer and, satisfied, washed her hands, the lemony scent of soap curling into the air. “I’ll pop out and say hi now. Thanks, Ahmed.”

“Chef.” He bobbed his head.

Sometimes the staff addressed her by name but other times as “Chef”—a mark of respect that was also employed at her previous restaurant. She couldn’t deny she loved it.

Swinging through the doors from the kitchen, she spied Nate and a petite woman standing by the entrance to the discreet little hall that led both to the staff area and the kitchen. The woman wore a pretty cheongsam-style jacket, but one arm was held in a sling under the loose left side of the jacquard coat.

Tamara, the Front of House Manager, stood a polite distance away.

“Nate.”

He looked up from talking to the woman, who resembled him around the mouth, her jet-black hair the same slightly wild texture as Nate’s. “Zoey! This is my Mum, Anita. Mum, this is my friend Zoey.”

“So nice to meet you, Zoey,” Anita said brightly, and Zoey’s heart warmed a bit. How many guys living in London would bring their mothers out for dinner to a trendy restaurant?

“And you, Mrs. Tan. Has Tamara shown you to a good table?”

“Oh yes,” Anita gushed. “The view is so beautiful from the big windows.

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