her weeks ago.”
I shrug. “I was, but the kitchen’s been busy. I don’t have time to search for a new employee, fire an old one, and keep up with everything I need to keep up with.”
“Well,” he starts slowly. “Maybe I can help.”
His tone reflects caution, and knots immediately twist my insides. “Can I just say no and move on about my day? I don’t know what you’re about to propose, but I have a sneaking suspicion I’m not going to like it.”
Zach chuckles. “To be honest, you might not, but you’ll warm up to it, and it would solve a lot of problems right now.”
I quirk an eyebrow, now curious, because it sounds like Zach isn’t only trying to help me out, but himself. And if there’s anyone in this world I would do anything for, it’s him. “All right, what is it?”
“First, did you ever decide what you’re going to do with that studio apartment upstairs?”
I shrug. “I have some ideas.”
“Like?”
“Well, I haven’t given up the idea of Pop moving here. I’ve been warming him up to the idea.” Just saying the wishful words out loud makes my stomach turn.
Zach winces a little. “I didn’t realize you were still entertaining that idea. Are you sure that’s a good plan? I mean, I know you want to help him, but at some point he’s got to start making some changes on his own.”
“I know. Which is why he’s still in Dallas and I’m still here. When he’s ready, I’ll be ready.”
“Okay.” Zach draws the word out slowly, assessing me with his eyes. “So then, what about right now?”
I shrug. “Why? You got a renter?”
Zach lifts his brows like he’s prefacing his words with a warning. “In fact, I do.”
Shit. I already know where this is going. “Zach—”
“Just hear me out,” he says as he raises his hands.
The lift opens to the second floor, and he pushes the cart inside the storage room. Then he meets me in the main entrance of the kitchen and sits on the couch.
I take a seat on the chair across from him. “Spill.”
“I’ll spare you the gory details, but last night, I asked Monica to move in with me, and she said yes.”
I didn’t see that one coming. “Dude, you two have been together for only, like, weeks.”
Zach makes a face and shook his head. “No, bro, it’s been longer than that, and you know it. Try months. But I’ve known her for years.”
“Jeez, I mean, what’s the rush? Is the ten-minute distance really hurting your relationship?”
Zach rolls his eyes. “No, but her apartment has gotten a little crowded.”
Oh. So Maggie is causing issues at home, too, and not just in my kitchen.
Zach continues. “Anyway, Monica’s lease is expiring at the end of the month, and now that she’s going to the Art Institute, she’s spending the majority of her time in Seattle anyway. She loves her sister more than anything, but she’s going crazy right now, especially since I’m gone a lot during the season. So I asked her to move in, and she said yes. It’s a done deal, but that’s not what I’m here to talk to you about.”
“You want me to rent the studio to Maggie.”
Zach cringes, telling me I missed the mark. “Not exactly.”
“Please don’t tell me you’re asking me to let her stay there for free. What about utilities and maintenance of the place? There’s no way I can cover those expenses, especially not now that I need to hire someone full-time. Most of my profit goes to charity as it is. If I’m ever going to grow this place, I need the extra income, dude.”
He holds up his hands. “Just hear me out. Maggie needs a place to stay, and you need an employee. Why not train Maggie to work the kitchen? She’ll live right upstairs, so she’ll always be available. And then you’ll just need to pay her the difference. You have to admit, the plan is brilliant.”
“Yeah, if we weren’t talking about Maggie Stevens. Have you met the woman? She hasn’t worked a day in her life.”
“Don’t be a chauvinist ass. She’s been modeling her whole life.”
“Oh yeah? Then why’s she suddenly broke and working for White Water?”
Zach shrugs. “None of my business. Look, I know this is asking you for a lot, and who knows if it will work out. It probably won’t. But it would help all of us out in the meantime. You, me, Monica, Maggie. Just please, consider it. But don’t