Turn up the Heat

have been able to predict that Kevin was going to flip out. He might be down one bartender, but at least he has you two holding down the fort,” Wade said to Josh and Snacker. “You guys are the best.”
    Josh opened his mouth. I kicked his foot under the table.
    “Oh, and Gavin is working on a new girlfriend already. Did you guys know he asked Penelope out?”
    “Oh, God, that’s so tacky,” said Snacker.
    “I have to work on finding a replacement for Kevin, so I’ll catch you all later.” Wade started to walk away. I was glad to be done talking about Kevin. “Oh, Chloe? Did you know you fractured Kevin’s left leg? Not bad.” He winked and left us.
    Josh and Snacker stayed while Ade, Owen, and I finished eating. Snacker and Owen had apparently called a truce: neither of them threw forks at the other. Blythe leaned in to me. I hoped that she didn’t have another piece of unwelcome anatomical information to convey about another of Simmer’s employees. “Can I talk to you for a second?”
    I followed Blythe to the bar. She took a deep breath. “I talked to Josh earlier today, and I wanted to talk to you, too. You know that I’ve been stealing from the restaurant and selling the things on eBay.”
    “Did Josh ask you about that?”
    “Yes, he did.” Blythe had the decency not to pretend that she was confessing on her own. “I have no excuse. I know I said that everyone steals, but I really took it too far. I needed money for school and for bills. I’ve been getting crappy shifts here, and I got desperate. Obviously, I knew what I was doing was wrong and stupid, but I didn’t realize that the knives I took were Josh’s. I thought they were the restaurant’s and the loss would come out of Gavin’s too-deep pockets. Not that it’s a good excuse, but call me Robin Hood. I’m broke, and it seemed like a basically harmless way to get some cash. Just so you know, I gave Josh back everything I took. Nothing sold on eBay yet, so it’s all been returned.” She shook her head at her own behavior. “I don’t know what else to say. I’m sincerely sorry for being so thoughtless and awful!”
    Blythe did look sorry, and I appreciated it that she was speaking to me directly about what she had done. “You still have a job, though?”
    “Josh made me swear up and down that it wouldn’t happen again and threatened to make me eat cayenne cookies if I even glanced at his cooking equipment!” She smiled. “So I promised.”
    “What about Snacker? Have you talked to him?”
    “He’s next. I know he’s a little wild, but I do like him. I think he likes me, but I don’t know what will happen after I tell him. He and Josh seem pretty tight.”
    “They are. But if Josh hasn’t booted you out of here, you might have a chance.” I started back to the table but then turned around to Blythe. “And that peacoat better arrive soon, or Adrianna and I are going to give you negative feedback on eBay.”
    I heard a gasp. “That was you two?”
    I slid back into the crook of Josh’s arm. “Everything okay, babe?” he asked with concern.
    I sent Snacker off to talk to Blythe and popped another bite of lobster into my mouth. “A little stuffed, but I’m good. Hey, have you two picked a wedding date yet?”
    Adrianna shook her head. “No. I don’t think we want to do a big wedding, anyway. Maybe something simple this summer before the baby is born.”
    I turned to my boyfriend. “Josh, you can cater it!”
    “Absolutely. I’ll do whatever the beautiful bride wants.” And then my gorgeous, wonderful chef looked at me. You know, you’d make a beautiful bride, too.”

In this book, Chloe and the gang feast on many culinary delights. Here are the recipes for some of the dishes they enjoy. Many thanks to the chefs, professional and amateur, who contributed their talents to this section! Be sure to read through each recipe before cooking because some of these dishes require preparation the day before or hours before serving.

Courtesy of Michael Ricco, Executive Chef and Owner,
    Café Teresa, Londonderry, New Hampshire

    The apple salsa here is delicious. If you have any left over, you can serve it with grilled or roasted chicken.

    Makes 6—8 quesadillas

    Roasted Pork

    1 tbsp. kosher salt
    1 tbsp. cracked black pepper
    1 tbsp. fennel seeds
    1 boneless pork loin, about l’A lbs.
    1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

    Preheat oven to 350°.
    Mix the salt, pepper, and fennel seeds together. Rub the pork loin