“She sang to him?” A lump formed in Abby’s throat. “I’m sorry, I’m . . . She never mentioned you, and it makes me happy that she was singing to someone.”
Aiden held her tighter and said, “How long did you know Ava?”
“On and off for a few years.” He looked at Abby and said, “For what it’s worth, she talked about you and your sister, Didi, a lot.”
“She did?” Abby smiled at the nickname her mother used to call Deirdra.
“Yeah, she was proud of her girls. I guess you took over the Bistro? It looks awesome.”
“Yes.”
“Well, if you need a cook, I’m not looking to get tied down to a forty-hour-a-week job, but I’ve got a bit of experience and a few weeks to kill. I haven’t worked at any one place for very long because I go where my music takes me, but I filled in at the Empire in Boston for a few months for a chef who was out on maternity leave.”
“Wow. Jared Stone’s restaurant?” Abby asked. She’d followed Jared Stone’s career with awe. He was a well-known chef-turned-restaurateur. His restaurants were top-of-the-line, and he only hired the best staff.
“Yeah, you know him?”
“No, only his reputation.”
“He’s a cool dude,” Jagger said. “I’ve helped him out a few times there and at his other restaurants when I was between gigs. Some of his digs are a bit pretentious, but they pay the bills.”
“Where did you train?” Aiden asked.
“Aw, man.” He shook his head, smiling affably. “I figured one of you might ask that. I didn’t go to culinary school, but my father’s buddy was a chef at a restaurant where I bussed tables in high school, and he took me under his wing for a few years and taught me everything I know. That’s how Jared found me. He ate at the restaurant when I was cooking and asked to meet the chef.”
“That’s a hell of a jump,” Aiden said.
He scratched his dog’s head and said, “Yeah. The chef who taught me, Ross Denario, is kind of a big deal.”
Ross Denario wasn’t just a big deal; he was known in the industry for his arrogant attitude as much as he was for his cooking. “You studied under Ross and lived to talk about it?” Abby asked. “That’s impressive.”
He shrugged again. “You can call him for a reference, if you’d like.”
“I’ll tell you what. I could use a chef, but this week I’m tied up with the Best of the Island Restaurant Competition. Why don’t we do a trial run next week sometime? Do you have time to come in and cook a few things for me?”
“Cool, yeah. I’d love to.”
“What type of pay are you looking for?” Aiden asked.
Jagger shrugged. “Whatever. I don’t need much. Ava used to pay me two hundred a week under the table and let me live in the apartment above her garage. But I’ve got my own RV now, so I don’t need a place to stay. And like I said, I like to keep things loose. That’s kind of how I roll, so I’m not looking to work all that much. But I can fill in, do a few hours here and there, that kind of thing, and play some music on the patio if you’re into that.”
“We were just talking about that possibility. But I do things differently than my mother did. I’ll pay a fair salary,” Abby said. “Why don’t you come meet my sisters; they own the restaurant, too.” She pointed to the bonfire and said, “You can also meet some of our friends.”
“Good idea,” Aiden said. “What’s your pooch’s name?”
“Dolly.” Dolly looked up at Jagger, and he leaned down and kissed her snout. “Abby, did you say sisters? I didn’t realize Ava had more daughters than you and Didi.”
“We didn’t either until recently. Apparently my mother was good at keeping secrets. Would you like to meet them?”
“Yeah, sure,” he said. “We’d love to hang out, if you’re sure we won’t be imposing.”
“It’ll give us a chance to get to know you, too,” Abby said, and they headed down to the bonfire.
She introduced Jagger and Dolly to everyone and explained that he’d known Ava and had worked at the restaurant. It turned out that Jules, Grant, and Brant all knew who he was and had seen him around a few times over recent summers. That helped to put Abby’s mind at ease. Jagger settled right in, and Dolly took a liking to Deirdra, who got up and moved seats four times in the space of an hour or so to avoid having to pet her. Dolly settled in between Cait and Jagger as he began playing his guitar.
Abby headed in to use the bathroom, and when she returned, Deirdra intercepted her before she reached the group.
“How do you know he’s not lying?” Deirdra whispered.
“He knew Mom called you Didi.”
“Oh my God. Are you freaking kidding me?”
Abby chuckled. “He’s nice, Dee, and he’s an experienced cook. I like him.”
“You like everyone.” Deirdra crossed her arms, scrutinizing him. “He’s a total hippie, and he lives in a van.”
“An RV, and don’t be so judgmental.”
“Fine, but he better not call me Didi.”
Aiden stood as Abby and Deirdra neared the group. Deirdra sat between Jock and Grant, and Aiden drew Abby into his arms, standing a few feet away from the others. “Everything okay with her?”
“She’s being her overly cautious self about Jagger.”
“I guess that makes two of us. I sent a text to my partner, Ben. He’s friends with Jared Stone. Jagger checks out on all fronts. Jared knows his family, says they’re good people. He’s a hard worker, though as Jagger mentioned, he’s never taken Jared up on a long-term offer. The longest stint he’s held was three months at a shot.”
“Aiden, that was really nice of you, but I could have checked his references.”
“I know, but I’m leaving tomorrow, and I wanted to be sure you were safe. I didn’t mean to overstep.”
“I know you didn’t.” She went up on her toes and kissed him. “Sending a text to keep me safe is a lot different from buying me a ten-thousand-dollar Viking range and double oven combo.”
It had cost fourteen grand, but she didn’t need to know that.
“Come on, you two,” Leni said. “We’re going to play Never Have I Ever.”
“Back to my college days,” Aiden said, and they went to join the others.
Although Aiden was having a great time with everyone, as the night wore on, he wanted to be alone with Abby. He pressed a kiss to her cheek and said, “Dance with me?”
She glanced at the others, looking a little embarrassed, but she said, “I’d love to.”
He helped her up and gathered her into his arms, swaying to the song Jagger was playing.
“Look at Mr. Romance over there,” Leni said with an approving smile.
“I want to dance. Come on, hubby-to-be.” Jules popped to her feet, dragging Grant up with her. “Jock, get up and dance with your wife.”
“I’ll never turn down that suggestion.” Jock stood and helped Daphne up.
Brant held out his hand to Cait. “What do you say?”