Last Flight to L.A.

chapter twenty-six: solving for ex

"You're mad. Bonkers. Off your head.....But i'll tell you a secret.....some of the best people are."

~Alice in Wonderland

~~~~~

Kelsey put her hands on her hips and surveyed the bowls of beef stew before her. Tender chunks of meat swam in thick red sauce, with the occasional carrot popping up here and there.

"This recipe was good," one of the chefs commented.

Kelsey beamed. "Really?"

"Who knew saffron would improve the flavor by so much!" he said.

Kelsey could barely contain herself. "Thanks."

She had plans to make some more for dinner that night. As much as Becca complained about her figure, and stuck her nose up at anything below her standard, she had a good appetite. And that was at least one thing they had in common.

Once she served lunch to the zombies, post-apocalyptic survivors, and movie directors, Kelsey made her way back to the kitchen and began cleaning up.

She and Ethan had officially been dating for three days and every time Kelsey thought about it, her stomach fluttered. Nothing really felt different, just more relaxed. They did the same things they used to, talked about all the things they used to talk about, but now it was a different sort of friendship.

Kelsey didn't panic if her fingers accidentally brushed against his hand or have a heart attack if he caught her staring at him.

"Miss...Harris..."

Kelsey jumped and spun around, sending a puff of soap bubbles flying through the air.

"What has gotten into you?" Chef Romano huffed. "I have been trying to get your attention!"

"Oh, I'm so sorry," Kelsey breathed.

Chef Romano lifted and eyebrow. "I need another order of leeks when you take inventory."

"Yes ma'am."

Kelsey continued on with her day, humming softly to herself as she was cooped up in the storage refrigerator, making a list of all the supplies they needed, and making sure to add leeks at the top.

She swept as the other chefs left for the day, and Chef Romano hung around.

Once they were the only two in the kitchen, Chef Romano leaned against the stainless steel tabletop while Kelsey pretended not to notice.

"I am beginning to worry, intern," Chef Romano grunted. "Where's your head?"

Kelsey looked up. "Uh, nowhere?"

"You're not focusing, your thoughts are in the clouds—" Chef Romano straightened immediately, her eyes sharpening like a knife. "You're in love, aren't you?"

"What?" Kelsey laughed. "No—"

"That actor boy! I knew it!"

Kelsey pressed her lips together.

"Oh, this is trouble," Chef Romano muttered to herself. Kelsey knew she was about to get lectured on the value of work ethics.

"Love is the downfall of a woman," Chef Romano sighed. "You're too young—too young!"

"I promise it won't interfere with my work," Kelsey said.

"And to one of those showbusiness ratti too! Oh, my, my, my..."