“Are you sure about that?” Robyn inquired. “Because when we walked in, you two were holding hands.”
“We—we weren’t holding hands,” Kimberly responded. “We were shaking hands after he won our bet and beat me jogging.”
“Is that right?” Gabrielle sounded skeptical as she headed for the mats. Kimberly and Robyn followed her. Gabrielle wasted no time, dropping to the mat to begin her morning stretch routine and Robyn did the same.
“It is,” Kimberly said with her hands on her hips as she looked down at them. “There’s nothing going on between us.”
“Tell that to the choir,” Robyn said. “Because we know you, Kim, and sexual heat was coming off you in waves—still is.”
Kimberly turned back around to glance at Jack, who’d moved from free weights to the bench press. He’d found a partner to assist him as he lifted the dumbbell up and down. Even from her vantage point, she could see the definition of his muscles.
“Earth to Kim.” Gabrielle snapped her fingers.
Kimberly spun around. “What?”
Gabrielle shook her head and shrugged as she stretched her torso to the right. “Nothing.”
“I have to get a move on it this morning, so I’ll see you both later at the staff meeting.” She made her way toward the gym’s exit.
“No breakfast?” Robyn inquired.
“Can’t. I have a conference call.” Seconds later, Kimberly was out of the room. She didn’t want her friends to catch on to just how attracted she was to Jack because she didn’t understand it herself. Could she keep him at arm’s length? Or was it just a matter of time before she gave in?
Kimberly took a quick shower at her condo at the resort before making her way to the office to go over some paperwork. Gabby and Robyn each had their own condo in the same building. A decade ago, her father had erected the luxurious condominiums in the rear of the resort behind the villas and hotel buildings so that staff and time-share members could enjoy the Belleza lifestyle. It was an added bonus for Kimberly because she was close by if needed.
With work so close to home, Kimberly knew she was considered a workaholic, but she enjoyed the day-to-day running of a resort this size and didn’t consider it mundane. With a bachelor of science in Hospitality Management from California State University in Long Beach and her ten years’ experience working full-time summers and part-time during the school year, she was more than capable of handling the Belleza’s complex operations.
Speaking of, she had a laundry list of items on her agenda for today. She took care of the immediate fires, did her daily walkabout and completed one of her quality assurance checks for the month before stepping into the staff meeting later that afternoon.
Among the others already present were Robyn and Gabrielle, as well as Allison Haines, the Rooms division manager, Megan Johnson, the director of Food and Beverage, and Kimberly’s assistant manager, Antoine Colbert.
“Good afternoon, everyone.” Kimberly took a seat at the head of the table.
There were several rumbles before Kimberly got down to business. After taking care of the usual business, she made it to her favorite topic: special events and the tasting menu.
“The Belleza is in the running for the annual Dunham Foundation gala in a couple of months,” Kimberly began. “Due to a flood at the Beverly Wilshire, they have to make a change and try someplace new.”
“That’s fantastic,” Megan replied.
“Yes, which is why our presentation to Hayley Dunham needs to be the best we’ve ever done. The recognition of having the Dunhams here and the potential referrals would really solidify our position as the venue for special events.”
“When are they coming?” Robyn inquired. “I have some preliminary mock-ups that I’ve begun sketching out this morning that we can go over.”
“That’s great,” Kimberly said, “but we also need Gabrielle’s hand all over this.” She glanced at her best friend. “We have to show them you’re the best executive chef on the West Coast.”
“Even though Sean is gone?” one of the other staff members responded with a snort. “Everyone came to the Belleza because of his reputation.”
“Yeah,” another staffer joined in. “Did you hear he’s opening up his own restaurant?”
There were several whispers among the crowd.
“Settle down.” Kimberly glared at the man who started the conversation; she could see out of the corner of her eye that Gabrielle had been mortally offended by his comment. Kimberly suspected some of the staff had doubts about the kitchen living up to its reputation since her brother had left. But Gabrielle was a skilled chef and Kimberly would not let her be disrespected. “Sean was talented, no doubt, but Gabrielle is our secret weapon. The Belleza will shine with Gabrielle at the helm.”
She smiled at the chef, who offered a fake smile. She knew her friend well enough to know that the comments had struck a nerve. “Gabrielle, why don’t you tell us what’s on tap for this month’s tasting menu?”
The experience was open to only a few select guests who were considered to be the crème de la crème. Gabrielle had designed some creative selections for their sophisticated palates. Now Kimberly was forcing her to face her fears and not let the staff comments get her down.
Gabrielle cleared her throat before speaking. She started off slowly with her initial comments about her starter, but bounced back with a livelier description of her second course, entrée and dessert. By the end, she had everyone at the meeting salivating.
After the meeting ended, her employees began filtering out. Gabrielle tried to make a fast getaway, but Kimberly called out to her. “Can you stay behind for a moment?”
Robyn stayed behind, too, and when it was just the three of them, Kimberly closed the door.
“Kim, do we have to do this now?” Gabrielle asked sharply. Now that the door was closed, all pretense of confidence had gone away.
“Yes, we do.”
“Why can’t you let this rest?”
“When has she ever let anything rest?” Robyn replied. “You know how she gets.”
“I can’t let you go when you’re upset, not without talking about it first.”
“Why talk? It won’t change anything.” Gabrielle’s tone was chilly as she continued, “All those people think I got my job as executive chef out of nepotism. That because you and I are friends, I was chosen to step into the role.”
“But it’s not true,” Robyn said firmly. “You’re a damn good chef, Gabby.”
“I know that!” Gabrielle blurted out. “But they don’t. And I won’t change their opinion anytime soon. I’ll have to earn their respect day by day and I’m fine with that. Do you think this is my first rodeo? It’s not. Do you think it was easy turning my back on medical school and choosing the culinary field? Do you think it was easy when I came back to the States after France and dealt with the old boys’ network in New York? Well, it wasn’t.”
“Of course,” Kimberly said. She knew how hard it had been for Gabrielle to go against her parents’ wishes. Even more so when they’d cut off her trust fund. Thank God for her grandmother’s financial support. It had allowed Gabby to attend culinary school in France, otherwise who knew how long it would have taken for Gabby to realize her dream. “I didn’t mean to imply otherwise.” She patted her chest and inclined her head to Robyn. “We know that it wasn’t an easy road for you, but you have