"Yes, I know, but-"
"However," Alex repeated firmly. When he got the message and fell silent, she continued, "I'm not willing to demote Bev and fire Bobby. I won't rearrange everything to suit you when you'll simply do this again the first chance you get and leave me in a lurch once more."
"I wouldn't. I swear it," he said passionately.
"I don't believe you," she said quietly. He started to say something again, but she held up her hand and added, "And I'm not willing to take the chance."
"But I don't have a job now," he said, as if that might have slipped her notice and realizing it should make her change her mind.
"That's not my fault or problem, Peter," she pointed out quietly. "I asked you to stay at the time. I explainedwhat I thought Jacques was up to, and you chose to leave. I'm afraid you'll have to live with that decision."
Peter stared at her blankly, apparently having been sure she'd be pleased to accept him back. The fact that she wasn't forgiving all and welcoming him back wasn't what he wanted to hear, and she felt herself tense as anger began to replace his surprise.
"You arrogant bitch," he hissed coldly. "I suppose you're pleased to see me here groveling?"
The night he'd left, Alex had thought she would enjoy his fall, but now that it was here, she found she wasn't enjoying it at all. Not even a little. Instead, she actually felt sorry for the little weasel and said so. "No, actually I'm sorry for you."
"Sorry?" Rage covered his face and he leapt to his feet. "Don't you dare feel sorry for me. I am Pierre. I am a brilliant chef. Certainly too good for this little shit hole. You're the one who's going to be sorry!" Turning on his heel, he stormed out, nearly running over Bev on the way.
"Jerk," Alex muttered as he slammed out of the kitchen.
"You didn't hire him back."
Alex glanced to the door where Bev now stood, staring at her wide-eyed. Frowning, she said, "Of course I didn't. Why would I? He was difficult to work with at the best of times, and you're a better sous-chef than he ever was. And someday you'll make a better head chef than he could ever dream to be."
Bev flushed at the compliment. "Thank you."
"Don't thank me, it's the truth," Alex said solemnly,and then glanced to the phone on her desk when it began to ring. Recognizing Sam's number, she glanced to the clock, frowning when she saw what time it was. The front doors would be opening in a couple of minutes and the first people arriving. She didn't really have long to talk, and Sam would know that. For her to be calling at this time of the day, it must be something important.
"I'd better get back to prep," Bev murmured.
Alex nodded. "I'll be along in a minute. Can you close the door for me?"
"Sure." Bev pulled the door closed as Alex reached for the phone.
"How is Cale?" Sam asked the moment Alex said hello.
She raised her eyebrows at the unconventional greeting, but then found herself smiling and saying, "He's brilliant. Awesome. Thank you for sending him my way."
"I'm so glad." Sam sounded truly delighted, but then asked, "How awesome?"
Alex sat back in her seat, her eyebrows rising. "What do you mean? "
"I mean ... well how exactly is he awesome?"
Alex considered the question, and then simply said, "He's the answer to my dreams, Sam. Or maybe my prayers."
"Has he told you about his family?" Sam asked at once.
"Not much," she admitted. "I gather he has brothers who are soldiers. And he learned to cook for the familyrestaurant, but prefers the business end of things. That's about it really."
"That's it?" Sam asked, and Alex could hear the disappointment in her voice.
"Yes, that's it," Alex said with a laugh. "Why would he tell me any more than that? I'm his boss, not his girlfriend."
A low groan came down the line. "Alex, don't you-I mean, what do you think of him as a man? "
"Is he a man?" she teased, and peered out the window above her couch at the bustling activity in the kitchen.