South Beach Love Page 9

  His mother tsked yet again. “Entonces eres bien tonto.”

  Glancing at the clock, he realized that while his mother might be telling him he was silly, Sara was going to have some choice words for him if he didn’t get moving. “I’ve got to run,” he said, but his mother chased him out of the kitchen with another cry of “Tonto.”

  He’d be as much a fool to get involved with Sara as he was not to get involved. A true paradox. Of course, it all hinged on whether or not he’d uproot his life in New York to stay in Miami.

  So far everything at the restaurant had been going well in his absence, or at least that’s what he was being told.

  Someone upstairs must have heard his thoughts since his smartphone rang and the photo on his screen trumpeted that his manager Ramon was calling.

  “Is everything okay?” he said immediately, his stomach in a tight knot as he waited for the bad news.

  “Calmate, jefe. Everything is going great. We just wanted you to know that so you won’t worry. Enjoy your time off and come back nice and relaxed,” Ramon said.

  In other words, not come back like the cranky, crazy, control freak he’d been the last few months. “I’m not worried. I know the restaurant is in good hands.”

  “Gracias. This place is as important to us as it is to you. Enjoy your time. We’d call if there was a problem we needed you to handle,” Ramon said and before Tony could say another word, his manager ended the call.

  He should be grateful that he could get away. Relax. Maybe even consider a second location, if he could avoid another situation where he’d be doing most of the managing. He wanted to be cooking like he had been the last few days, trying out all kinds of new recipes for his niece’s big quinceañera celebration. It had been fun to do, like the porchetta variation he’d created earlier. He could already imagine beautiful slices of it on a plate giving each diner succulent pork in addition to the crispy skin that was a cook’s treat in so many Cuban households.

  Cooking was what he was meant to do and maybe, just maybe, he’d be able to figure out during his time away how to balance his life better so he could spend more time doing that.

  Just like Sara had learned. She seemed to have found the right balance in her life, as evidenced by yesterday’s morning outing and tonight’s dinner date.

  Balance, he told himself. Letting go of my tight control on my restaurant is a good first step, he thought as he sat down at his old school desk to write down the basics of the recipe he’d just worked on in a note book. He had at least a dozen of them, filled with the many recipes he’d tried over the years, both good and bad. He’d often thought about going through all the recipes to put together a cookbook, but he’d never had the time. Somehow, he needed to find space in his life for the things he wanted.

  Like a relationship with Sara?

  He drove the question back because it was still too soon.

  He picked up his smartphone and speed-dialed Ramon, who answered on the first ring. “Is something wrong?”

  “Not at all. I have a favor to ask. You know those notebooks on the top shelf of the bookcase in my office?” He could picture the leather-bound journals in his mind, sitting there waiting for him to share his creations with others.

  “Your recipe books,” Ramon said. Tony heard the creak of his door opening in the background. “I see them.”

  “Bueno. Could you please pack them up and send them to my parents’ house?” He quickly rattled off the address and instructed Ramon to use the restaurant’s courier account for the shipment.

  “Got it. I’ll get them packed up and sent out today. Does this mean you’re finally thinking about that cookbook?” Ramon asked, anticipation in his voice.

  Tony chuckled at the other man’s excitement. “It does. Gracias, Ramon.”

  “My pleasure. I can’t wait to see the finished product.”

  “Me either,” Tony admitted and hung up, suddenly filled with more joy than he’d had in a long time.

  He was cooking again.

  He was finally doing something about his cookbook idea.

  And last, but in no way least, he had another date with Sara. A woman who was proving to be intriguing and exciting. A woman who could possibly become more in his life.

  Pleasure sprouted in his heart and he let it sink its roots deep, hoping it would blossom and grow ever greater with his time in Miami.

  “Are you sure this isn’t a problem?” Sara said as she whipped off her apron and left Jeri plating one of the daily specials – a saffron-scented rice ball stuffed with gorgonzola dolce, and then breaded and deep fried.

  Jeri waved her off. “Puleez, girl. How many times have you covered for me when I needed a day off for Sophie?”

  “As if I could deny my adorable little godchild anything,” Sara teased. “But seriously –”

  “But seriously get your butt going. You know how well the training has been going for that new girl, Valerie. And Brenda can help me with the final touches on the plating.”

  Jeri shooed her away with a wave of her hands and Sara relented and walked into the restaurant. When a quick peek at the door showed her Tony had yet to arrive, she took a moment to greet some of her regulars and recommend her favorites from that day’s specials. One older man flirted with her mercilessly, as he always did, but she knew he had eyes for no one other than his wife beside him.

  “Are you sure you won’t run away with me?” he teased with a wink.

  “Sorry, Lou, but I’m not available,” she said just as Tony slipped in through the door.

  She looked his way and Lou dramatically laid a hand over his heart. “Is he the one you’re breaking my heart for?”

  Maybe, she thought. “Try the lamb burgers with tzatziki tonight. I ground the meat fresh this morning and the dill is from our organic herb garden.”

  “Thank you, sweetie, now go meet your man,” Lou’s wife said and motioned toward the front door where Tony waited.

  “Have fun, you two,” Sara said and left the elderly couple to enjoy their dinner.

  As she walked toward Tony, his smile broadened and spread up into those deliciously cocoa-colored eyes. Her heartbeat picked up its pace and a pleasant warmth filled her as he held his hand out and she slipped hers into it. With slight pressure he urged her closer for a chaste kiss on her cheek. She’d been flustered around him before, but now, she wanted to turn ever so slightly and lay her lips over his. She held back, reminding herself that this might only be temporary if he left in three weeks. But even with the constant reminders, it was getting harder and harder to deny the feelings that had reawakened with his presence. Feelings that were way more than those of a schoolgirl crush.

  She’d never thought of herself as a coward. Maybe she should let this go where it might and pick up the pieces later.

  “I’m looking forward to dinner tonight,” he whispered into her ear as, with a light tug, he led her outside and down the side street in the direction of Ocean Drive.

  “Me, too,” she said with a playful swing of their joined hands. “Where are we going?”

  “I have some old friends that own a place up on Ocean Drive. Juli and Adriana.”

  “I know them quite well. We’ve done a number of events together.” None of those, of course, had made her as nervous as a fifteen-year-old’s birthday party. That was different, because it was for family.

  “Great. I like to support my friends whenever I can,” he said as they turned onto Ocean Drive and walked toward the restaurant.

  They strolled past the gleaming white building for the Tides hotel and then the Cardozo with its colorful pennants and awnings over the veranda. Several patrons were seated there while in one corner a chef stirred rice and other ingredients in a paella pan. The aroma of cooking seafood drifted over to Tony and Sara.

  “Smells good,” he said.

  Sara n
odded. “I love paella. I don’t get to make it often because it takes so long to cook.”

  “Maybe one night I can make you some,” he said, and she smiled at the suggestion.

  “I’d like that.” It would take time to make the paella. Time which was a precious thing for them and filled with uncertainty. But she looked forward to that time together.

  They continued across the street where over-sized umbrellas in bright tropical colors looked like flowers in bloom as they protected an al fresco dining area for a small bar and fast food joint.

  A block further up and they were in front of Gianni Versace’s former mansion—now a luxury boutique hotel, restaurant, and event space. Tourists posed for photos in front of the ornate wrought iron gates emblazoned with the designer’s signature Medusa logo in gold.

  As they passed yet more of South Beach’s famous Art Deco hotels and restaurants, the sidewalks grew more crowded. There were throngs of people checking out menus, waiting for a table, or just strolling around while they people watched. More than once, they had to maneuver around a group blocking the sidewalk, not that Sara minded when Tony had to pull her close to avoid the crowd. She loved the feel of his strong body beside her and the hesitant smile he shot her as their bodies bumped together.

  They finally reached Juli and Adriana’s restaurant, and Tony paused by the hostess podium to let the young woman know they had a reservation.

  “Of course, Chef Sanchez. Juli and Adriana mentioned you’d be coming. Let me show you to your table,” she said. With sharp efficiency, she grabbed two menus and led them to a table up on a higher level of a veranda, right by its edge where they’d have the best view of the street and across the way, beautiful Lummus Park and the ocean beyond.

  After they sat and had their menus, the hostess said, “Someone will be with you shortly.”

  “This is such a perfect spot,” Sara said, glancing toward the sidewalks with all the activity and past them to the quiet beauty of the park across the street. There was an intimate feel to the table thanks to the privacy of the spot, and the pleasant atmosphere was enhanced by the lovely flowers in the center of the table, and the small votive candle spilling warm light across their place settings.

  “It is. I’ll have to thank my friends for being so thoughtful,” he said.

  “Juli and Adriana are great. It’s funny how many friends we have in common,” Sara said.

  “Not just friends. We’ve known each other a long time,” Tony said, his gaze settling on her in a way that had her heartbeat accelerating and those proverbial butterflies flitting around in her stomach.

  “I guess we have, but not really. Not that way,” she said, fumbling for the right words. Hanging out in her family’s backyard pool or riding bikes around Little Havana didn’t really count. Or did it? she wondered.

  Tony cocked his head, processing that. With a shrug, he said, “I know what you mean, Sara, but I’m looking forward to getting to know you better in that way. I hope you are also.”

  She was, only… “I am, Tony. I’ve had a nice time with you the past week, but we don’t have that much time until you go.”

  His lips quirked in a smile that seemed a little forced, almost as if saddened by the thought he’d soon be leaving. “Then let’s make the most of these weeks and find out more about each other. How does that sound?”

  It sounded great. Too great, she thought, worried it might reveal too much. She shook off the thought and plowed on. “Okay, you first. How does it feel to have earned a star? It’s every chef’s dream.”

  Tony blew out a harsh breath and shook his head. “A dream and a nightmare all at the same time.”

  His words surprised her. Eyes wide, Sara said, “A nightmare? Really?”

  He nodded and his gaze darkened, full of...sadness she wanted to say. Pain which made her heart ache for him as he said, “It was such an honor, but the pressure since then....”

  Sara locked her gaze on his, searching his features. “Difficult?”

  “That’s an understatement,” he said, but before she could continue, two women walked up to their table.

  “It’s so nice to have you with us,” said Adriana as she leaned down to hug Tony and then offered Sara a welcoming smile. As the one who handled the business side of the restaurant, Adriana wore a flawlessly tailored designer suit. Her auburn hair was worn up tonight and called attention to her oval face and exotic hazel eyes.

  “It’s good to see you again, chefs,” said Juli more demurely. “We’ve got some new recipes we’re trying out and it would be my honor to get your opinions,” Juli replied with a big smile.

  “If you don’t mind, we’ll bring you some of our specials for tonight,” Adriana said and wrapped an arm around Juli’s shoulders.

  Tony glanced Sara’s way, wanting to confirm that it was okay with her and she nodded and said, “We’d love that. Thank you.”

  The two women walked back toward the kitchen, chatting, Adriana’s arm still on Juli’s shoulder, almost in a reassuring gesture.

  “They’re a good team,” Tony said as he watched them stroll away.

  Sara couldn’t agree more. “Adriana has the brass to get things done and support Juli who is an absolutely amazing chef, even if she doubts herself too much sometimes.”

  “Do you ever doubt yourself?” Tony asked, but a waitress came over that second with a bottle of wine before she could answer.

  “Compliments of Adriana and Juli,” she said as she poured each of them a glass of a very expensive cabernet sauvignon.

  “Thank them for us,” Sara said, grateful for the interruption as much as the wine. Unfortunately, Tony repeated his question.

  “So, do you? Doubt yourself?” he said and picked up his glass in a toast.

  With a shrug, she raised her glass and tapped it to his. Then she swirled the wine in the glass and once it settled, held the goblet up to watch the legs form along the sides of the glass. Peering at him past the red wine and seeing that he wouldn’t give up until she answered, she said, “I did when I first decided to open the restaurant with Jeri. It was such a risk.”

  “That seems to have paid off,” he said with a lift of his glass to toast her success.

  She smiled and said, “Thanks. I guess I still doubt myself at times, but I tell myself there’s nothing else I’d rather be doing. How about you?”

  Tony chuckled and did a little nod of his head. “I doubt myself every day. Especially lately when so much of my time involves being out of the kitchen.”

  “It’s not easy to have your own place,” she said. “I’m lucky that I have Jeri and some really good office staff to help us.”

  “You are. It’s something I have to think about trying when I go back to New York,” he said, nonchalantly—not that Sara was feeling nonchalant about that possibility. Which made her ask herself what she was doing here, falling for him all over again, when he had no intentions of staying in Miami.

  She was spared from having to say anything else when the waitress and a busboy brought over a sampling of appetizers for them on a trio of plates. Each plate had two perfectly crafted bites of food on it.

  Sara tried the first dish, a piece of avocado topped with whipped cream that turned out to be a delicately flavored dressing. The second was a sandwich of sorts made from a thin slice of crispy potato, a tantalizing sliver of pork belly, and a circle of an orange-cherry jelly whose sweet and sour taste cut through the heaviness of the potato and pork. The last bite was a tender nugget of poached chicken covered in a chocolate-scented mole sauce with just a hint of chili.

  “Amazing,” she said as she swallowed the last morsel. “I feel like I just had a complete meal in one sitting.”

  “Heaven in each bite,” Tony said with admiration.

  “Juli has really upped her game,” Sara said, appreciating the creativeness and flavor of the appetizers
.

  “She truly has grown since the last time I ate here,” he replied and sipped his wine.

  A few seconds later the waitress and busboy returned with their main meals. The larger samplings of the entrees were just as heavenly as the appetizers they’d been served. There was a tasty tostada topped with poached octopus and a delicious salsa. An earthy red wine demi-glace with mushrooms graced medium rare slices of filet beside luscious Lyonnaise potatoes.

  In short order, they finished the meal and sat back to chat once again.

  “I can’t believe I inhaled all that.” Tony leaned back in his chair.

  “It was delicious. I’m going to have to pry that halibut recipe from her,” Sara said and spooned up another little taste of the broth in which the halibut had been served. “Do you taste lemongrass in there?”

  Tony nodded. “I do. I’m guessing some coconut milk as well.” He examined the remains of the slightly cloudy liquid.

  “Very Thai,” she said which was surprising since Juli’s cooking background leaned toward assorted Latin cuisines, Italian, and continental fare.

  “She’s spreading her wings and if this is the outcome, it’s a good thing,” he said.

  “I guess you liked it,” Juli said as she stepped up to their table, smiling, Adriana at her side, watching over her like a mother hen.

  “Loved it. Is this a new direction for the restaurant?” Tony said and glanced around at the patrons enjoying their meals.

  Juli and Adriana shared a look. “We’re thinking about changing some things up,” Adriana admitted.

  “I thought some Chino-Latino dishes on the menu would be an interesting addition,” Juli said and paused, as if seeking their approval. “You two know how it is. Just because something is working doesn’t mean you stop being creative,” she quickly added and wrung her hands together.