Page 10 of Men or Paws

I slid onto the barstool. “Okay, I’ll tell you the short version. One night, Rocco came into the restaurant and had a meal with his agent. The kitchen was buzzing, all the employees were talking about him being there. The customers were sneaking photos and asking him for autographs, you know, the usual with a celebrity.”

Josh gave me a knowing smile. “Believe me, I know, but it comes with the territory. Okay, then what?”

“Rocco finished eating and then ordered another entree to go.”

“Just curious, do you remember what he ordered?” Josh asked.

“You don’t ever forget the dish that got you fired—chicken piccata with angel hair pasta.”

“Wait . . . You got fired?”

I nodded. “The drama started when Rocco sent the to-go meal back to me in the kitchen saying he didn’t like the way it was prepared.”

Josh shrugged. “I don’t have a problem with that. I’ve sent back food more than a few times, for one reason or another. Did you overcook it or something?”

“Me? Come on, it was cooked to perfection. Get this—he wanted the chicken without the piccata, basically plain, boring chicken with no butter, lemon, parsley or capers. Do you know how insulting that is to a chef?”

“I do now.”

“Then he wanted me to substitute plain, boring boiled carrots and boiled broccoli for the delicious pasta. That is sacrilege and a slap in the face to all Italians around the world. And he’s Italian, so imagine how embarrassed his family must feel.”

Josh nodded, thinking about it. “Well, he was a foster child, so I doubt that was plaguing him with guilt. Then what happened? Did you dump the plate on his lap and storm out of the restaurant, telling him to suck it?”

I shook my head in amusement. “Maybe I should have, but instead, I sent the food right back to him and told the waiter to apologize because Santo Domingo Grill had a very strict no-substitution policy for specials. I didn’t make the rules, mind you. The waiter knew that, but was star-struck and thought he could get me to change my mind. Either that or maybe Rocco bribed him. Who knows?”

“But how did it go from there to you being unemployed?”

“Rocco sent it back with the waiter a second time, insisting that I make it the way he wanted it, plain and boring. I said no, following company policy. Then the manager yelled at me for not making an exception for Hollywood’s biggest star. He was paranoid that word would get around that we weren’t flexible. We got in an argument and he ended up firing me over it even though he was the one who made the rules about no substitutions.”

Josh was slack-jawed. “Wow.”

I nodded. “Yeah. Spoiled, bratty Rocco got his way and I got booted to the street. So, excuse me if the subject of Rocco Romano doesn’t warm my heart.”

“Yeah, that sucks hardcore,” Josh said. “Hey, I know I’ve offered before, but—”

“I’m not taking your money!” I said. “I want to do this on my own. I need to.”

“Why are you so stubborn?”

I smirked. “I take after my brother.”

“Okay, fair point, but listen to me with the rational side of your brain,” Josh said. “Take the job.”

“No,” I said. “Even if I were to set the restaurant incident aside, which I would never do, I’m not going to work for a dognapper.”

“Oh, come on,” Josh said, laughing. “You need to let go of the past, especially since you need the money. And as for the dognapping incident, that was probably just a publicity stunt to garner media attention.”

“I saw the interview with the dog owner. She was distraught,” I said.

“She’s also an actress, but forget about that because nobody knows for sure what really happened except Rocco and that woman, and maybe Oliver. Listen to me, seriously, don’t turn down that money.” Josh gestured around my tiny apartment. “You said you wanted to move out of this shoe box and find a bigger place that allows pets.”

“I do, but—”

“And what about the business you want to start? Think of all the happy dogs enjoying your organic treats. This would get you one step closer to making it a reality.”

It wasn’t like I hadn’t thought of that, but the thought of calling Rocco to apologize made me want to vomit. Josh did have a point, though.

The property I had found was the best of both worlds because I could start my new business there, plus live in the apartment right above it. I would have no commute, and they allowed dogs, something I have been missing in my life since my beloved Muffin crossed over the Rainbow Bridge three years ago.