Billionaires Dollar Series

“Can I see you in my office for a moment?”

“Of course, Chef.” Alma and I share curious glances before I head into Marco’s office. He hasn’t spoken a word about the culinary institute finals in the past week, and out of respect for his neutrality, I haven’t mentioned them either.

“Have a seat,” he says, nodding to the chair in front of his desk.

I sink into it. “Is everything all right?”

“Oh yes, couldn’t be better.” He folds his hands together on his desk. “I thought it a perfect time for us to have a little chat.”Property belongs to Nôvel(D)r/ama.Org.

Crossing my legs, I try to project competent ease. “Sounds good to me.”

“You see, contrary to what most of the staff believes, I’m not ignorant about what goes on in my restaurant.”

Okay then.

“Of course you’re not.”

His lips quirk. “Both you and Jason are good chefs. I was pleased to see that you both applied for the fellowship.”

My hands feel sweaty. “Thank you, Chef.”

“The recognition, assistance and, to be frank, financial aid that comes with the fellowship can make a huge difference in your budding careers.”

I give a slow nod. “So I figured, yes.”

He leans back in his chair, eyes appraising. “As someone who works with you both, I’m sure you understood that I had be impartial at the judging.”

My stomach sinks at the words. I don’t think I can handle him letting me down gently, or seeing kindness in a face that usually barks orders.

“Yes, Chef. Can’t have been an easy position.”

“Well, that’s the thing. You two made it brilliantly easy to be impartial.”

My hands fidget with the sleeve of my jacket. “Oh?”

“I have no difficulty telling a cook and a chef apart. One follows orders, the other creates. One executes, the other is a visionary. That one’s you, Madison.”

There are no words.

Perhaps he sees that, because Marco gives me an unexpected, rare grin. He glances at his watch. “Let’s hope they got the timing right on their end… I think you should check your emails right now.”

“Right now, Chef?”

“Yes. I know you sometimes keep your phone in your back pocket.” He’s smiling though, even as he makes it clear he knows the crew often violate the no-phone-while-on-duty rule.

Swallowing, I fish it out and unlock it with trembling fingers. There’s a notification on my email app.

I glance from it to Marco, who’s grinning like a Cheshire cat.

Click.

The subject line is enough for my world to spin.

Congratulations, Ms. Webb. We’re happy to inform you that-

It’s all I need to see before I’m up and out of the chair, throwing myself around the desk to hug Marco. “I can’t believe it!”

He’s stiff with surprise, but then an arm comes around me. “Your food was the best. And before you need to worry if I was a biased voter, the jury was unanimous.”

“Thank you. I can’t… I don’t… Christ.” I put a hand to my forehead, feeling like I’ve run a sprint. “I’ve learnt so much from you.”

His smile is wide. “I look forward to eating at your own restaurant one day, Chef.”

“Oh. I look forward to serving you, Chef.” My grin feels ten feet wide, a hundred. I open my mouth to ask when Jason will find out, only to find the words dying on my lips. I don’t care. I don’t care what his reaction is, or if he’ll take it out on me, on the restaurant.

I was just awarded the Washington Culinary Institute Fellowship.

And I’m going to open my own restaurant. Maybe not tomorrow. Maybe not next week. But it’s happening sooner rather than later, and there is no chance in hell that my past is going to stand in my way.

When I meet Liam outside the restaurant after my shift, I throw myself at him. He wraps his arms around my waist, delighted surprise on his face. “What’s this? Did you miss me?”

“No.” I grin. “Well, yes, I did. But I got some good news.”

His face grows still. “You’re not serious.”

“I am. I am completely, utterly, more serious than I’ve ever been before.”

“You got the fellowship?” His eyes begin to burn, the emerald color swirling with warmth. “Holy shit, Maddie, of course you did!”

He swings me around and I grab a hold of his shoulders, laughter and happiness coursing through my body. I’m sure we’re blocking people on the sidewalk, but if we are, I don’t care.

“You know what this means.”

He kisses me soundly. “We need to celebrate. Come on, let’s go find a knitting store.”

Laughing, I slide my hand through his. “Lead the way, you idiot.”

Epilogue

A few months later

“Isn’t this space perfect? Not too big, not too small. And look, there’s a nook in that corner where I could install a booth. Only one booth might look strange, though.” Maddie frowns at the brick-covered wall. “No, I changed my mind. It won’t. It’ll look eclectic and hip.”

I grin at her. “Do we still refer to things as ‘hip’ these days?”

“Good point,” she says, walking into the adjoining kitchen. “Oh, this is so outdated. I’ll have to change all of the appliances and install new counters.”

I duck under a wooden beam. “But the place has charm and some real potential, Maddie.”