He winked at me and, just before closing my door, said, “I know a place.”
27. Season to taste.
MAX
“Are you trying to impress me?” Hadley asked as Max pulled her chair out for her and then scooted her in like a pro once she sat. “Because if so, it’s working.”
His flagship restaurant in Lenox Hill was indeed impressive. Occupying the 44th floor of the Talbot, one of the most luxurious hotels in the world, Cavanagh’s was a sight to behold. The hotel itself was an art deco masterpiece, but Cavanagh’s—with its opulent gold-on-white at every turn and breathtaking views of Central Park—took it to another level. Max knew there was probably no better restaurant anywhere for a man to take a woman on a first date, if impressing her was the goal. Although, considering the menu prices, most men would be wise to consider what they thought the odds were of getting the woman to agree to a second date. Cavanagh’s was too pricey to be considered a good idea for every first date.
Of course, Max didn’t know if he was actually on a date at all. Good thing he didn’t have to worry about the bill.
“I am, as a matter of fact,” he acknowledged. “I hope this is okay. If you were just wanting to run by Shake Shack or something . . .”
Hadley laughed. “I enjoy Shake Shack, thank you very much. But, no. This is great. I’ve actually never been here before. I’ve been to a couple of your restaurants that run more on the ‘mere mortal’ side of the price scale, but Cavanagh’s . . . wow.” She looked around the room and then back at him. “Is it any good?”
He smiled with all the humility he could muster, but when it came to the crown jewel of his career, there really wasn’t much point or hope of modesty. His first three Michelin stars were obtained by Cavanagh’s, and they’d been maintained for the seven years since. It had also been at Cavanagh’s that Max had earned his first James Beard Award, as well as his most recent. Hadley, no doubt, knew all of that. And yes, of course he was trying to impress her. But he also could think of no better way to let her see the most genuine parts of him than by sharing with her the thing he was most proud of in the world.
“Good evening,” their waiter greeted them. “Welcome to Cavanagh’s, madam.” He bowed slightly toward Hadley, and she smiled and put her hand out to shake his. Such an unusual move. Such a heartfelt attempt at connection beyond what normally existed between diner and waitstaff. So unmistakably Hadley. In kind, the waiter, Vikram Kaur, kissed her knuckles in genteel fashion. “Chef Beckett. An honor.”
Max watched her and beamed as she chatted with Vikram. How could it still be a complete shock to her to be recognized and respected?
“And, sir,” Vikram said, turning his attention to Max. “Is this your first time dining with us?”
Max scrunched up his nose. “I hear it’s overrated.”
“I must respectfully disagree, sir. Cavanagh’s is not overrated. Now, our founder, on the other hand . . .”
Max laughed and shook hands with Vikram. “How are you, Vik?”
“I’m doing very well, Chef. Thank you. And you?”
“I’m great. Sorry you drew the short straw tonight.”
Vikram smiled and turned to Hadley. “He’s very demanding and he doesn’t tip very well.”
“That is not true!” Max exclaimed as Hadley laughed. “Demanding, okay. But I do tip well. I mean, not here. Here I tip with Christmas bonuses and a very competitive insurance package. But other places . . .”
Vikram ignored him with a roguish smile and asked Hadley, “What can I bring you to drink, Chef Beckett? Would you care to see the wine list?”
She shook her head. “Thank you, but I’ll just have iced tea.”
“Same for me, please,” Max said.
“He’s great,” Hadley began as she looked over her menu, as soon as Vikram had gone. “He’s worked here awhile, I assume?”
“Since the beginning. I’ve tried to promote him about ten different times through the years—to maître d’, house manager, you name it. I’d let him be the sous-chef if he wanted, at this point. But he loves being on the floor, and there’s a part of me that’s glad he’s turned down all of the offers. He’s as much a factor in this place’s reputation as the food.”
“Well, I don’t know about that,” she countered. “This menu is amazing. What do you recommend?”
“It’s all pretty decent, if I do say so myself.”
Hadley laughed. “I have no doubt.” She set her menu down and looked around the dining room. She seemed to be taking in the details of the high, ornate ceilings and the chandeliers that hung majestically from the center of the room, but then her gaze lowered to the tables around them. “So, um, Max?” She faced him and leaned in slightly. “You do realize that every eye in this place is on you, right?”
“Probably on us.”
“Well, maybe that would be the case a lot of places. At Cavanagh’s, I think all eyes are on Max Cavanagh. Should we maybe sit somewhere less out in the open? Like the kitchen?”
He chuckled. “This from the girl who sat front and center at Pancake Pantry without a care in the world.”
“And I don’t have a care in the world now. I’m just thinking of the guy who wore his sunglasses and kept his head down the whole time at Pancake Pantry.”
He felt his throat tighten and he swallowed a few times to try to loosen it up. He didn’t have much luck.
“Chef Beckett.” He cleared his throat. “What did I do to deserve your friendship?”
She lowered her head briefly, but then she met his eyes and smiled. “I’m torn between saying something very heartfelt and taking the easy way out and saying something smart-alecky instead.”
Max leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. “Well, I’d hate to miss out on either.”
Hadley’s eyes twinkled as she said, “I haven’t fully worked it out, but it would be something about how you’ve done nothing to deserve my friendship, and how I’m a saint for putting up with you.”
He nodded. “And the smart-alecky comment would be . . . ?” Max savored the gratification he felt as she laughed, and then prodded, “But seriously . . .”
She stopped laughing at once, but the smile remained on her face as she said, “I’m proud of you, Max. Getting to see you become this guy has been one of the greatest pleasures of my life. And I’m not quite sure what either one of us has done to deserve the other’s friendship, but I know I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”
There was no one in the entire world who meant more to him than she did. There was no one else in the entire world who made him feel the things she made him feel. And the only thing stopping him from telling her that was the fear that if he made a move for more and she wasn’t ready, he would lose everything they had between them, right then.
Vikram appeared with their iced tea, while Max noticed Hadley was right. Every single table was watching them. But it was definitely them, not just him. How strange it had to be for all those people to see the two of them sitting together, laughing together, enjoying each other’s company.