ed reaction. Didn't hit

han a kitchen. He makes sure that the crew keeps it spic-and-span, too-we're talking "toothbrushes scrubbing the grout" levels of cleanliness-so it's a glistening, unblemished ocean of

nces, she's an espresso in human form: Puerto Rican, loud as hell, with an irrepres

she looks beyond exhausted. She's prac

& Gather," she says to me in a hushed

I bring you a

bath. Instead, she grabs two boxes, then calls over her shoulder in rapid Spanish. Within seconds, I a

ouign-amann,"

n butter croissants

's stil

fference between lamination techniques in French versus Aust

omething beautiful about watching people

morning bun. The newest line cook, barely out of culinary

ot an eager energy that hasn't been beaten out of him by the industry yet, though his hair is standing straight up like he

ying a mouthful of blueberry muffin ev

French stagiaires mutters the nickname again under his breath with suc

to understand that they're no

contact with Samuel.

d possibly imagine,"

ee weeks out from the investor preview for Project Olym

lex with a dozen restaurant concepts under one roof, each one with the oh-so-humble goal of revolutionizing a worl

ner is make-or-break for the project's funding. I've seen the numbers; we're

hat's got everyone bur

suggests Tony, one of the sous chefs. To my horror, he turns and starts waggling his eyebrows at me.

ntasies flood back-warm skin, soapy scent, hands

al, I-would-never dismissiveness. "Bastian Hale doesn't even see me as hum

e legs on you, chica. And you're single, yeah? I see sparks. And I thi

me work the dish pit," I say, but my mind is rac

been here too long. Remember when you coul

our weeks, skipping vacations, missing birthdays. Just like Mom always said: Keep your head down, stay quiet, don't make waves. Of course, Mom also said that about

na. That only makes th

enty-seven years old, depressing

uring" is

Bastian? He'd probably make me submit a PowerP

nd I feel the spotlight shift awa

el wheezes. "He'd have