IsabelleI leaned my head against the seat of the cab, breathing a sigh of relief that I was finally in Fairbanks. I couldn't believe the mess that had taken over my life in the last few days, as soon as I left the restaurant I felt lost, I didn't know what to do or what to do next, the only person I could count on in that city was my sous chef, and in a way he was involved in everything. I was alone.That's when I saw the ticket Gustaf had given me, and it wasn't hard to make that decision, especially when I started receiving countless messages telling me that someone had filmed the whole mess and the video had gone viral. I needed my family, it was the only place I knew I'd find support and I also wanted to keep a close eye on Gwen's new pregnancy.At least that was the lie I told myself when I convinced myself that this was the best way to go, but it was still Gustaf's address that I gave to the taxi driver. I loved my friends, and I would certainly talk to them next, but at tha
IsabelleThe ringing of the doorbell caught my attention, I rushed over, reading the order before putting it in the queue, and unlike any other time in my life, I didn't mark the order. "Anything for me, Zazie? "Gustaf asked from the other side of the kitchen we'd set up together a few months ago."No, it seems that everyone has opted for quail today "I replied, returning to the edge of the stove, concentrating on finishing the dishes I was preparing.We were in the middle of August, it had been a little over two months since Gustaf and I had managed to open our bistro together and we hadn't imagined such a movement in such a short space of time."I'm finishing my orders and I'll help you," he said, finishing a plate of salmon.Putting our financial resources together, it wasn't difficult to set up the restaurant, the physical part at least. Because when it came to the menu, we argued a lot until we managed to perfectly blend all my love of classic cuisine with the local cuisine and
Isabella The ringing of a bell on the counter caught my attention, and I walked over, picking up the new order that had been handed to me by one of the waiters. I returned to the center counter of the kitchen I was running in a restaurant in Miami's upscale area." Attention, marching. Table seventeen, One scallop, One lobster, Two lobsters with Champagne sauce " I read the order aloud." Yes, chef " the response was unanimous.With a small smile I picked up a plate that had just been left on the counter waiting for my approval, I finished it with the orange sauce, wiping off any residue before putting it in the bowl, ringing the bell afterwards.This was my routine for the last two years, when I became Chef at Le Petit Cuisine, a restaurant in Miami.I loved my job but I couldn't say it was an easy life. I spent about ten hours on my feet in a hot and stuffy environment, often gave up my days off and barely had a social life, all that routine was exhausting me on a mentally dangero
IsabellaI checked the time one more time to make sure I wouldn't be late. I needed to leave the house in twenty minutes if I didn't want to miss my flight to Fairbanks, where Gwen and Zachary had been living in Alaska for the past few years.Three years ago, when my friends decided to leave Missoula, where we lived at the time, I seriously considered asking for a sanity check, but hearing how well they, especially Danny, had adjusted to their new life, I felt they had made the right decision.I always spoke to them and Danny by video call, but it wasn't the same as having them by my side. The last time I saw them was almost two years ago, when they decided to come to Miami when they found out about my move, and although they always invited me to visit them, this was the first time I could get time off for it.I closed the last suitcase, being sure that I didn't have enough cold clothes to endure the winter in Alaska, I would have to buy some pieces there. With my bags in hand, I went
Isabella" Thank you.In a few minutes we were both on the road, I didn't want to waste any time trying to get to know him better, so as soon as we left the airport area, I brought up the subject." So, Gustaf... Have you known the Monaghan's for a long time?" 'I met them as soon as they moved in,' he gave me a quick glance." 'Well, I could say I've heard a lot about you, but I'd be lying. My friends never mentioned your name, and I think that was an unforgivable mistake." I gave him my best smile." 'I've heard a lot about you." Really? I find that hard to believe." 'Isabella Dempsey, Izzy to you, twenty"eight years old, chef in a fancy French restaurant and makes the best quail in the world,' he began, 'ahh, and is the best aunt in the universe after buying little Danny a drum set for his last birthday.Wow, they talk about me that much? How come they never told me about him?" All right, that's me, but it doesn't change the fact that I don't know anything about you." Ask your
Isabella "I'm not going to make it," I stammered, looking at the to"do list Gwen had left with me before leaving for the airport. I was in the kitchen of the guesthouse, eating breakfast while the sky remained dark outside, even though it was already past eight o'clock.Stefan, Gustaf's cousin, had taken Danny to have a sleepover with his son, who was the same age as my nephew, so he would feel his parents' absence less. Zachary was quite sad when he left, and I hoped that he wouldI hoped that he would be able to settle his family affairs without too much damage, although I knew that was virtually impossible with everyone involved." Does she really want me to cut down a tree? " I continued reading the list." Are you talking to a piece of paper? " I was startled by Gustaf's voice coming from the entrance.I turned in his direction, watching the man walk nonchalantly through the kitchen, opening the cupboards and fridge." "No, I'm talking to myself," I corrected him, awkwardly a
IsabellaIt's okay, Isabella, you still have three weeks to stay here, you don't need to attack the guy like that from one moment to the next, no matter how tempting it is, because in those three days we will be quite busy.With that thought in mind I went to Gustaf in the lobby, he was carrying all the boxes away from the fireplace, separating some.I kept silent, leaning against a wooden column, watching the way the muscles in his arms stood out with the effort, even though he was wearing a long"sleeved t"shirt." 'Are you going to help me or just watch me? " he asked as he bent down to pick up another box, giving me a privileged view.I could have felt embarrassed about being caught spying, but I didn't really care." 'I'm tempted to keep looking,' I teased him, getting a laugh in return."These boxes here are from the fireplace decoration, I thought I'd decorate everything, and in the end, just put the armchairs in place," he pointed as I approached.I bent down, opening one of th
IsabellaWhen Gustaf and I finally got back to the inn it was well past lunchtime, I made a quick sandwich for both of us before going back to decorating the fireplace." And how did you meet my friends? " I asked the boy as I sorted out the socks to hang on the mantelpiece." 'It was a little over two months since I had arrived in Alaska, I was occupying my cousin's couch, since I couldn't get a house to rent " Gustaf started narrating, taking one of the socks from my hand.I felt a shiver run through my body as his skin brushed against mine, chiding me for that reaction. I need to start controlling myself around him!" One day, I was coming back from a house I had been to visit and I saw this skinny girl with a boy literally strapped to her back helping a boy carry a big box into the house " I couldn't help but smile as I remembered how dependent Gwen was on Sling in Danny's first year.That seemed like a century ago. I had memories of when she and Zachary told me they were going to