Part 20 (1/2)
He stood and walked toward her. She rose so they remained eye to eye...sort of.
”You deliberately kept this information from me when I offered you the job,” he said.
”I didn't mention it because I knew you'd freak out if you knew.”
”I'm not freaking out. I'm p.i.s.sed off. How far along are you?”
”Four months.” She glared at him. ”Me being pregnant doesn't change how good I am in the kitchen.”
”As a chef, you're on your feet for twelve hours a day. You can't do that pregnant. How are you supposed to taste the dishes? Aren't there certain types of fish you should avoid? What about wine?”
”I can taste both the food and the wine. One bite or one sip isn't the issue. I'm perfectly capable and I'm doing a d.a.m.n good job, so get off of me.”
He loomed over her. ”You lied to me. You withheld material information. I can fire your a.s.s for that and we both know it.”
She opened her mouth, then closed it. He had a point. If she'd been in his position and had learned an employee lied about something this big, she would escort them to the door without thinking twice.
”I'm the reason this place is successful,” she said, deliberately lowering her voice. ”I do good work. Yes, you can fire me, but then what? You think this place can survive losing its chef two weeks after opening?”
She stared at him, willing him to understand. ”I have this all figured out. I can do the job and be pregnant. We're in this together, Cal. Don't get weird on me now.”
”Don't pretend we're a team when you're keeping secrets like this,” he said. ”Anything else you want to spring on me?”
”No.”
”Fine. I'll be back in a couple of hours.”
”But we've just opened. It's dinner.”
”So? According to you, you have a plan. Deal with it.” Then he turned and walked out.
CAL DROVE without thinking and he wasn't surprised when he found himself in front of Reid's place. He tossed his keys to the valet, then stalked into the crowded bar.
What the h.e.l.l was going on? Penny pregnant? He knew she'd always wanted kids-she'd made that clear enough times. But now?
He saw his brother behind the bar and waved him over. Reid spoke to one of the women serving with him, then walked out and joined Cal.
”What's up?” he asked.
Instead of answering, Cal led the way to Reid's office. He pushed inside, then closed the door when his brother had entered.
”You knew about the baby,” he said, making the words a statement instead of a question.
Reid looked amazingly unconcerned. ”So she finally told you, huh? I warned her you wouldn't take it well. Looks like I wasn't wrong.”
”Not take it well? You're right. I didn't. What the h.e.l.l happened? Did you encourage this?”
Reid frowned. ”Hey, slow down. Why does it matter to you that Penny's pregnant? You let her go a long time ago.”
”That has nothing to do with this.” He didn't care who his ex-wife slept with, or what she did with her personal life. He was just furious that she would go and get herself pregnant.