“You do know I like to cook,” Amelia said. “I cook on my days off, too. It’s not a burden and I’m happy to pitch in and help.”
“Good,” Mia said. “Because I highly dislike cooking, so you can feel free to be Flynn’s assistant. He’s been barking orders at me for the past couple of hours.”
“Mia,” Flynn warned.
Mia laughed. “What? It’s the truth. You’re very cranky in your kitchen.”
Amelia smiled over the rim of her wineglass, then took a sip. “Most chefs are very particular about their cooking.”
“I’m no chef,” Flynn said. “But I am particular about how I want things done in the kitchen.”
“That’s not a bad thing, Flynn. And I’m looking forward to dinner tonight.”
“How long have you been a chef, Amelia?” Mia asked.
“About eight years. I started as a prep cook at one of Seattle’s finest restaurants right out of college, then worked my way to sous chef at the same restaurant. After I got married and moved to Portland, I got a position as head chef at a restaurant up there and remained there until Flynn hired me to run the kitchen at Ninety-Two. But I’ve been cooking my entire life. I’ve always had a passion for it.”
Mia nodded. “There’s nothing like being devoted to something you love.”
“So true. And what do you do, Mia?”
“Right now I’m about to graduate with my MBA. I was planning to get a PhD, but at this point I’d like to take a break from school, so I’m looking at starting a business.”
Amelia’s eyes widened. “Wow. Good for you. What kind of business?”
Mia looked over to Flynn, who nodded. “I’m laying some groundwork to start a sports management company.”
“That sounds incredible, Mia. I’d love to hear more about it.”
Flynn sat back and listened as Mia told Amelia about her plans for starting up her company. The more he listened to his sister lay out her ideas, the more impressed he was with her forethought and organizational skills.
“It’s definitely a risky venture,” Flynn said.
Mia nodded. “I agree, but anything worth having is worth the risk, right?”
“Agreed. But you need to be sure before you move forward that you’re ready to take this on.”
Mia smiled. “Spoken like a true big brother.”
“Hey, I’m just looking out for you. I want you to succeed. I believe in you, you know that.”
“I know you do.”
“Tell me about the risks, Mia,” Amelia said.
While the two of them talked, he got up and finished prepping the appetizer. They had already set the table before Amelia had arrived, so when he pulled the oysters out of the smoker, he took the sliced lemon and cocktail sauce he’d made earlier out of the fridge and set everything in the dining room.
Mia and Amelia came in and Mia poured more wine for them.
“These smell amazing, Flynn,” Amelia said.
“Thanks. I hope you like them.”
“I’m not sure where you found the time to learn how to cook,” Mia said. “But, I’m glad Amelia is here tonight because otherwise I’m sure I’d be getting burgers on the grill.”
Flynn shot a grin over at Mia. “You probably would.”
“Hey,” Amelia said. “I like burgers on the grill. You didn’t have to do anything fancy on my account.”
“I’ll keep that in mind for next time.” Flynn gave Amelia a knowing smile. She gave him an enigmatic, polite one in return.
After the oysters, he finished prepping the crab salad.
“This is just as good as the appetizer,” Amelia said after she finished the salad. Maybe I could hire you as my assistant at Ninety-Two.”
“Funny. And maybe you can try out as a linebacker.”
“You know, I never said I wanted to play football.”
“Are you insinuating that I’m ‘playing’ at being a cook?”
Amelia calmly took a sip of wine before replying. “I didn’t insinuate a thing. You’re very sensitive for a tough guy.”
“Now you’re insulting my manhood?”
“I didn’t realize we were bringing your penis into the discussion. And at the dinner table, in front of your sister. Really, Flynn, how could you?”
Mia laughed. “You two are hilarious. And I really like you, Amelia. Not many people can go toe-to-toe with my oldest brother. You’re doing a fantastic job. If my other brothers were here I think they’d stand and applaud.”
Flynn glared at his sister. “Shut up, Mia.”
Mia just snickered and got up to clear the table. When she left, he turned his attention on Amelia.
“And here I expected you to be all quiet and shy in front of my sister.”
“You did? Why would you think that?”
“I have no idea.”
Mia came back in. “Oh, please don’t change your personality on my behalf, Amelia. I like you just the way you are.”
“I like you, too, Mia.”
He felt ganged up on. Maybe this was how Mia felt being surrounded by all guys growing up. Deciding it was best to ignore both of them, he let it slide and went to pull the lasagna out of the oven.
Amelia had made her way into the kitchen.
“That smells amazing, Flynn. I can’t wait to taste it.”
He liked that she could tease him and throw insults one minute, and be complimentary and sweet the next. One didn’t survive in the Cassidy family if you held on to anger or insults for long.