Before by Nicola Marsh Read Free Book Online Page B

done a formal apprenticeship?”
    “Nope.”
    He made a little scoffing sound of disbelief. “Well, let me tell you. As someone who eats a lot of takeout because of my long work hours, and who spends the rest of the time at fancy dinners with contributors and campaign workers, your food on a scale of one to ten is a well deserving eight.”
    Embarrassment made me squirm. I wasn’t used to praise let alone the admiration of someone like Reid. He had to be bullshitting me. But why?
    “That’s why I asked if you were trained, because…” Reid hesitated, as if unsure of my reception to his next words.
    Considering I now thought he was full of shit, I didn’t blame him. But I was curious.
    “Because?”
    “Feel free to tell me to butt the hell out of your life, but I’m heading to Sydney for work at the end of next week and one of my boss’s campaign investors I have to meet with runs a restaurant there.”
    I had no idea where he was going with this. “That’s great. It’s a tough competitive market down there.”
    “He’s Michelin starred, apparently. Great reputation.” Reid hesitated again, before shooting me a speculative glance. “I could have a chat to him if you like. About an apprenticeship?”
    Speechless, I stared at this guy I barely knew, willing to go out on a limb for me. My eyes must’ve bugged as big as saucers because he laughed.
    “It’s not that big a deal, but I really do think you’ve got talent and it’d be a shame for outback station workers to be the only beneficiaries of your food.”
    I wanted to thank him. Wanted to slug him on the jaw for putting ideas into my head I’d never contemplated and making me hope. Because what he’d just proposed? Could set me up for life.
    If I got a trade behind me, became a real chef, I could go anywhere and be respected for my profession, rather than slumming it in dirty outback sheds dishing up the same old, same old to a bunch of unappreciative workers who ate for sustenance and energy rather than taste.
    “I don’t know what to say…” I stuck my hand out. “Thanks, mate.”
    Reid shook my hand. “Don’t thank me yet, because it may not happen. But I reckon someone as good as you deserves a chance to shine.”
    We fell into a companionable silence as I absorbed the impact of possibly working under a Michelin-starred chef. I wouldn’t get my hopes up but damn, it was hard not to.
    “By the way, Doreen’s going to Brisbane while I’m in Sydney, so that means Jess will be on her own here. Seeing as you’re about the same age, do you mind keeping an eye on her?” Reid gestured at the landscape. “Maybe show her around, that kind of thing?”
    Oh no. Hell no.
    Because what sprang to mind when Reid said ‘that kind of thing?’ didn’t involve playing tour guide. It involved me and Jess naked and writhing and sweaty.
    Reid continued, oblivious to the fact I hadn’t answered. “It’ll be good for her to kick back for a while. See a bit of the countryside. She works too hard.”
    “Looks like that runs in the family.”
    Reid grinned. “Jess is the brainiac. I just use my big mouth to get by.”
    “So it’s just the two of you?”
    “Yeah. Our dad ditched us when I was seven. Mom raised us.” His mouth softened into a smile. “Mom’s loud and flamboyant and the bubbliest person you’d ever meet.”
    Which went a long way to explaining why her daughter was the opposite. If anyone knew our childhood shaped us, I did. No prizes for guessing why Jess was quiet, aloof and reserved.
    “You seem like a pretty cool family,” I said, sounding way too wistful.
    “What about your family?”
    Thankfully, Mrs. Gee called out for me at that moment, saving me from having to hedge around the truth rather than give Reid my sorry arse tale.
    “Duty calls.” I stood.
    “Sure.” Reid stood too. “I’ll definitely put in a good word for you in Sydney.”
    “Thanks.” I shook Reid’s hand again before I headed into the kitchen,