Page 42 of The Crowned Garza

There was never a second thought about putting her in charge of restaurant operations when I took over. The success of our restaurants is attributed entirely to her.

“It’s nice.”

“Ugh.” She rolls her eyes and mimes clawing at me. “I justknewyou would say that. There’s no impressing you.”

“Is everything all set for the launch?”

“We’re trying to finalize the lineup for the kitchen staff,” she replies. “I know you wanted a majority female staff, and believe me, no one loves women more than I do. I love them so much I married one. But hiring a full staff of women isnota good idea. Women like to be all about empowerment and supporting each other and fixing crowns yada yada, until you put them to actually work with and support each other.Thenthe claws come out. They can’t help themselves. It’s their nature. And look, you won’t be the one having to deal with their drama and nonsense. Please, listen to me. It’s a bad idea.”

Dulce has been fighting me hard on this from the outset. I’ve been stubborn about it, but frankly, Dulce has never set a foot wrong. In an industry that’s rarely profitable, somehow she manages to make all of ours lucrative. It’s in my best interest to do what I’ve done from the beginning and trust her judgment.

“Okay,” I relent. “Do as you see fit.”

“Oh,thank God,” she mutters with a relieved rush of breath. “Another thing, regarding the cook you recommended. I went over her résumé, and while she has a ton of work experience for her age and qualifies in every aspect, there are some red flags concerning her most recent work experiences. She was employed by some of the best in the industry but was gone within a couple of months. I’m worried that she won’t be—”

“Nonnegotiable. She will be on the line.”

“I don’t think—”

“The decision is final, Dulce.”

Her sigh is so loud and long-suffering that anyone would think I’m the most unreasonable person on the planet. “Okay, since it’s clear you are connected to this one. Can we at least bring her in as a commis chef first instead of a station chef so we can test and observe her?Reliableteam players are what makes a kitchen successful, Santo. And I’m not getting that from this one.”

“If that’s better for you, fine. But I’m confident she’ll work her way up.”

She crosses her arms and eyes me closely, a smile spreading across her face.

“What?” I demand, annoyed.

“Oh, nothing, nothing.” Her smile morphs into a grin. “Let’s look over these budgets, shall we?”

CHAPTER TEN

“Belated gifts are a thing.”

Tillie

“WHEREARE YOU TAKINGme?” I ask Torin for the umpteenth time, irritated. “And why did you need to usemybrand-new car—which I haven’t even gotten a chance to christen yet—to get there?”

“You can never just relax, can you?”

“I would if you’d frickin’ answer me,” I snip back. “Tell me or I won’t shut up. Tell me. Tell me now. Tell me, tell me, tell—”

“Shit’s sake,” he cracks. “I’m taking you to your birthday gift, T.”

That perks me up, a grin yanking at my lips. “Really?”

“Why so surprised?” he asks with a short chuckle. “Does that throw a wrench in your plans to have me executed for not wishing you a happy birthday?”

So the bastard neglected me on purpose?Mood shifting from sulky to light and airy, I laugh. “Something like that.”

Two days ago, I celebrated my twenty-second birthday. Torin was overseas and couldn’t make it, and that’s fine, it’s common for his job to take him away from important moments. What’s had me miffed and deflated, however, is that he didn’t even make the effort to shoot me a “happy birthday” text. For me, that kind of disappointment is akin to a dad not showing up for a father-daughter dance, or an important baseball game, or a graduation.

Torin has beenthatperson for me ever since Dad died. He makes my big moments complete.

Around fifteen minutes ago, I was on my way out when he showed up out of nowhere and, without explanation, snatched the keys to my brand-new Jaguar—birthday gift from Trent and True—forced a surly, quarreling me into the passenger side, and drove off.

Now I have the happiest grin.Hedidn’t forget my birthday. He still cares. He still loves me.