The Bear Trap

Dinner Service

"Alright chefs, we're doing a seared salmon with a mango glaze tonight. Tina I want you to do a side salad, chard, lemon vinaigrette, & radishes, it's gonna pair nicely with the salmon. Marcus, get to work, I want dark chocolate with some citrus in there, don't shy away from the mango, it's not redundant if it's well done. Syd you're on the salmon please, we want a strong Maillard reaction, I want to hear that crust, okay? Carmen, I'll help you plate and glaze. Ready chefs?"

"Yes, chef." Everyone gives you a reassured nod and gets to their stations. You set up next to Carmen, and he winks at you.

"Killing it already, chef."

"Thanks chef, just don't burn down the kitchen please."

He looks at you confused.

"I haven't burned down a kitchen yet, I don't plan to start now."

"You never plan to burn down a kitchen, but shit happens."

Tickets begin to come in and Carmen starts to yell into the kitchen.

"Let's fire two salmons chefs."

"Yes, chef!

"Are you trying to tell me that you've burnt down a kitchen, y/n?"

"Ha, no. But my sous burnt our restaurant down, why do you think I was on a plane to Chicago a day after you called me?"

"Guess I just thought you really liked me." Carmen nudges you in the side with his elbow playfully as Syd sets down two plates in front of him. You and Carmen each get to work glazing the salmon and plating it perfectly. You wipe a glob of glaze off the edge of Carmen's plate with your napkin.

"Sloppy work, chef."

"Oh, fuck off. Hands!"

The rest of dinner service goes off without a hitch. Richie ducks his head through the doors a couple of times.

"Some fuckos told me to send compliments to the chef.. so, compliments, I guess."

You and Carmen exchange countless glances and a few flirty remarks over the night. You come to realise how much you missed leading a kitchen as the night ends.

"Alright, chefs, let's fire one final salmon and then we're closed."

A small cheer and an enthusiastic "Yes, chef" is heard from throughout the kitchen. You send off the final salmon and let out a deep breath you hadn't realised you'd been holding all night. You turn around and lean against the cold metal of the counter. Carmen spins around next to you and comes close to you.

"Great work tonight chef." It's quiet and close enough that only you hear it. The sincerity of the compliment makes you blush. You turn back around to address the rest of the kitchen.

"Alright chefs, let's clean up and get the hell out of here." You pull your pack of cigarettes out of your pocket and turn back to Carmen. "Join me?"

"Hell yeah, I need one."

Carmen follows you out to the alleyway and you both sit on top of some empty crates, thigh to thigh. You pat your apron incessantly, looking for a lighter. Carmen realises and reaches over to light your cigarette before his own.

"So, how'd I do as your sous?"

"Well, the restaurant is still standing, so not too bad."

Carmen laughs.

"So, what happened to your place?"

"Fire did crazy damage, they're gonna have to build from scratch. I couldn't afford that, sold the space to the bank, lost a shit ton on that deal."

"Jesus chef, that's awful. I'm sorry." He looks up at you and catches your eyes staring right into his icy blue ones. "Well, if it helps, I'm glad you're here." He notices the city lights of Chicago reflecting off of your face and is overwhelmed by how beautiful you look sitting there, cigarette in hand. A momentary boost of confidence overcomes him and he reaches forward, tucking a stray piece of hair behind your ear. Just as you both lean in, Richie bursts through the door and into the alley, cursing loudly.

You stand up frantically before Richie reaches the spot where you two are sitting.

"Can't say shit anymore, what's the problem with calling a woman a broad huh?"

Carmen rolls his eyes so hard you think they may fall out of his head.

"Richie you're not getting any support from me on this one."

"What are you fuckos doing out here?"

You lift your cigarette and your eyebrows. "Climbing Everest, the fuck does it look like we're doing Richie?"

"What are you doing out here, Richie? Is my kitchen clean?"

"Hold on I thought it was this broad's kitchen tonight." Richie gestures to you and now it's your turn to roll your eyes.

"Yeah you're right, is y/n's kitchen clean, Richie?"

"Yeah, yeah it's clean. Everyone's heading out in a minute."

Just then Sydney ducks her head out of the alleyway door. "Could I get a hit off one of those?"

You lift your cigarette in her direction and she comes out to grab it from you.

"I didn't know you smoked chef."

"I usually don't, I just wanted to be one of the cool kids for a minute."

This makes you laugh, you've grown to really like Sydney- she's competent, efficient in the kitchen, and super fun to gossip with.

"So who did Richie upset this time?" You address the question to Sydney who laughs in response.

"I don't even remember, I've learned to tune him out."

"Very funny, I get it, let's all hate on Richie because it makes us feel better about ourselves."

"Frankly, cousin, you don't need to be so easy to hate on."

Carmens comment makes you and Sydney laugh uncontrollably and Richie angrily flicks his cigarette and storms back inside.

"What crawled up his ass tonight?" You turn to Sydney looking for a response.

"No idea, his ex wife called earlier, he was cursing on the phone with her, probably that."

"He's such a fucking baby." Carmen tosses his cigarette butt and stands up. "Great work tonight chefs, let's get out of here."

"Amen." Sydney turns to the door and heads back inside, you turn to follow her but Carmen catches your wrist and spins you around.

"Hey, I mean it, you did a great job tonight. I don't know what you were so afraid of."

"It's a long story.. but I'm feeling better now. Thanks chef."

"Get in early tomorrow and you can tell me all about it, okay?"

"Sounds good."

You and Carmen head back into the kitchen and finally home.