Yes, Chef

Chapter 5: Redemption At A Cost

~Benedict's POV~

It's Saturday and nearing closing time. Finally.

Despite my initial resistance, I'm ready to get into this counseling and see if it can work this time. But I'm also eager to see Mads again. Fuller thankfully didn't bring her up again but his intel left me wondering about her.

I'd had the last several days to play through a whole host of scenarios. Maybe she has a boyfriend. Maybe it was just a hook-up. Maybe it was just two friends jesting. Maybe it was wishful thinking. I hate that I fixated on it but if she wasn't so damn guarded about herself, I wouldn't have to spend time overthinking it. For the first time in a long time, I am preoccupied by something other than my restaurant.

"Chef?" Brenna's voice calls my attention.

I look up, expecting her to give me the high sign that we have seated our last guest for the evening. But instead she looks panicked, which sky rockets my anxiety. "Brenna?!"

It feels like forever before she responds. "I just sat Chase."

It takes me a minute to fully process. Chase. Chase Bron. The food writer for the lesser of the two local news outlets but a food writer nonetheless. Not a single one has dared to venture in since my run-in with Val Finnigan made the news. Holy fuck!

Everything that was coasting to a close in the kitchen suddenly becomes chaos. I am barking orders left and right at Jamie and Kurt and they are hopping to it. Thankfully Dawn is serving so I know the service will be impeccable but I also know the expectation for me to greet him before he orders.

I snatch one of the complimentary appetizers we offer in situations such as these from Dawn. She knows the drill because we have talked about the possibility of this, a critic or writer dining and what the expectations are. She knows without me having to remind her while Fuller and Paige seem thrown off by my move. I hear her explaining in a low tone as I make my way out of the dining room.

My heart is pounding as I approach his table. My wine steward is just leaving his table as Chase tips the glass to his nose. I try not to think about the last time I had this encounter and how poorly it played out. While I like to think I'd handle it better now than before if Chase made similar comments, nothing has changed between Val's visit and now. Fuck, I need to get myself together like yesterday!

Chase notices me approaching and gives me a reassuring smile. The guy has balls, I have to give him that. He sets his napkin down beside him and stands from the table.

"Chef Ruschmann. Good evening!" He greets me warmly.

I reach for his hand. "Chase Bron! A pleasure to have you in tonight. Is it just you this evening?"

"Yes, Chef. The wife said maybe next time." He relays, shaking my hand and sinking back into his seat.

"Did she suggest you wear a mouth guard?" I inquire, trying to lighten the mood and show I can laugh at myself.

"No but a cup maybe." He jokes with me. "But then again, she knows I'm not as rude as Val, so nothing to worry about, right?"

I smile but don't laugh at his comment. "Allow me to drop this off. Are you interested in tonight's special, which I hope Dawn detailed for you?"

"Oh yes. Give me whatever you're serving that I can write about fabulously." He prompts.

"Stay tuned." I respond heading back to the kitchen. I know I need to make something above and beyond in this literal eleventh hour.

Fuck, the eleventh hour. I'll more than likely be late tonight. I quickly check in with Kurt and Jamie to get them going. Now I need to give Mads the heads up. I stare at the keypad of my phone for a long minute, realizing that despite her suggestion for us to exchange numbers, I argued my way out of it and have no way to contact her directly.