Cayla shook her head. “Don’t mind him, Felix, he just needed another reason to bring up his net worth to impress Cheryl.” Cheryl scoffed but didn’t say anything.
“Let me be a gentleman and help you with those.” Felix grabbed the vase and headed to her desk.
“Thank you!” Cayla called after him and grabbed her fork before following Felix and leaving two stunned idiots behind. She highly favored Dex’s one-upmanship skills even if he didn’t know that’s what he’d just done.
Dex stretched in his office and stared at the ceiling. The paperwork was the worst part of the restaurant business. The food and people were the parts of his job that he lived for, and the rest were just necessary evils. He knew some of the duties could be passed off to his management, but he needed to be part of the process and know how to do it himself.
He’d heard of many companies going under because the boss didn’t pay attention to the details. Not on his watch, even if it did make him tired. His black office phone lit up and started to ring. He grabbed the welcomed distraction; he half-wished it was Cayla telling him that she was so impressed with his roses that she’d left work early and was lying naked in his bed waiting for him. He smirked to himself; he always liked to dream big.
“The Food Lab. Dex speaking.” He furrowed his brow in confusion when the woman began to speak.
“Oh! I’ve finally reached the man of mystery. Do you know how hard you are to track down, dear?” She sighed in relief then powered on. “Tell me. Is it by design or accident that it’s almost impossible to find the owner of The Food Lab?
“Maybe both.” Dex didn’t want attention just yet. He wanted his food to stand on its own merit, not his family’s name. He’d thought he did a good job burying his name, but this lady was obviously a professional. He just needed to find out which type of professional.
She let out a husky laugh. “Imagine my delight when I found out that you are just as attractive as you are talented.” Her voice was sultry, almost like Michelle Pfeiffer as Cat Woman, and he knew she was the type of woman that was used to getting her way. But, what did she want?
“Ma’am…”
“Oh, no…not ma’am. Call me Izzie.”
“Okay. Izzie, I like compliments as much as the next person, but I don’t need my ego stroked. What’s the bottom line?”
Izzie hummed in satisfaction. “Direct. I like it. My name is Izzie Daniels, and I am an agent to the stars. Well, the food stars…” Dex fingers glided over his keyboard. “Googling me, are you? Attractive, talented, and smart. We can do big things together.” The excitement in her voice was contagious which irritated Dex. He didn’t know what he was supposed to be excited about.
“What big things?”
Izzie huffed, disappointed in his inability to see the big picture. “Dex, I plan on making you a big star!”
“Whoa.” Dex sat back in his chair and rubbed his hair. “Who said I was trying to be a star?”
“Your food did, dear! Your reputation found me all the way in L.A.” Izzie’s voice dropped back to a normal tone. “I don’t know if your Google search showed you how long I’ve been in business. You just might not grasp the significance of this moment. Izzie. Doesn’t. Search. For. Talent.”
Dex’s internet search provided him names of her current and former clients. All of them were still relevant food celebrities. Real excitement pumped through his heart. He could boost his career and have direct communication with some of his culinary idols. He could be part of their world. His money and family’s name could push him into a lot of circles, but he refused to use the billionaire mogul he called Dad to push him into his most desired circle. He wanted to earn it, and Izzie – if her reputation was correct – had the means to get him there legitimately.
“Are you always this quiet?” Izzie’s question bought his attention back to the phone that was still propped up to his ear.
“No. I was just processing.” Dex took a steadying breath before continuing. He always made it a habit to recap important conversations. “So, you are saying people were so impressed with my food that it reached you all the way in California? And now that you’ve seen pictures of me you are willing to make me a star?”
Izzie laughed. “Yes and no. The reputation of your food was enough for me to decide to check you out and possibly take you under my wing. I will be there next week to try your food, and we can talk after that. Your looks are very sweet icing, my dear. If you are equally talented and good looking you could be bigger than any of the stars.” Izzie pressed on. Dex could tell she was the kind of woman that didn’t like being interrupted. “Think about it. Most of the major food stars are okay looking. None of them are really movie star gorgeous. Although I’m sure your pictures don’t do you justice, I’m sure you are marginally more attractive than the men. I have a meeting now. I’ll see you Wednesday.”
Dex’s line went dead. He smiled and thought about his abrupt exits from phone conversations. They would get along wonderfully. Dex turned off his computer after saving everything. He now had too much adrenaline to sit still for paperwork. He walked around his office to ensure he was awake and not dreaming. He doubled back to his desk and grabbed his landline. The receiver was still warm. Definitely not dreaming.
He pulled off his business clothes, threw them in his dry-cleaning duffle, and donned his workout clothes. He felt more at home in his Nike outfit – a pair of lightweight black Nike joggers, a long-sleeved white fitted Nike shirt, and black and white tennis shoes – than he did in slacks and button ups. Most of his clothes were Nike workout clothes.
They were Nike only because he liked how Nike fit his body. H
e wasn’t interested in being a walking billboard, but he liked the comfort, and he was constantly looking for some sort of physical exertion. He loved being outside and pushing his physical boundaries. He still frequented the gym, but his outdoor activities had diminished greatly since opening The Food Lab. Not that he was complaining. His venture had proven to be far more successful than he’d originally imagined; he just needed to find the proper balance of both of his worlds.
He popped into the employee area to grab a bottle of water. He almost started to whistle as he neared freedom until his body collided with a smaller, softer body. A few of the employees teetered and his nose knew before his eyes that it was Daniella. She lingered far longer than necessary. He used his free hand to separate them.
Dex has never been so happy to have so many employees around.
“Sorry, I didn’t see you. Are you okay?” The predatory gleam in her eyes as she “braced” herself by touching his chest made Dex inwardly groan with irritation. She ran into him on purpose. He took an additional step back.
“I’m great, Boss Man.” She smoothed her brown waves and subtly stuck out her chest. He looked at some of his other female employees and back to her. Her shirt was tighter and unbuttoned low enough to give her plenty of cleavage. He’d noticed for the hundredth time that she was attractive and vapid. She did nothing for his libido.
“Good. I don’t think you are in the proper dress code.”