A Table for Two by Janet Albert

the kitchen."
    "Don't worry about it." An unwelcomed realization ripped its way through Ridley's mind and sent her insides into a knot. This very cute and clearly gay woman must be Dana's girlfriend. How could she have been stupid enough to assume Dana was unattached in the first place? It would be rare for a woman as fine as she was to be single unless it was someone who preferred to play the field and had no interest in settling down with anyone.
    "I thought if I stayed in here, Dana would have more time with her friends."
    "What on earth does a sous-chef do?" Ridley asked Tracy.
    "I supervise the kitchen staff and the daily food preparation. I guess you could call me Dana's right hand woman." Tracy's eyes connected with Dana's and they shared the type of glance shared by two people who knew each other well and cared for each other.
    "She sure is, in more ways than one," Dana said.
    "How long have you two known each other?"
    Ridley asked. The fondness between them was palpable and seeing the way they interacted with each other convinced her that they were more than just friends.
    "A long time," Dana answered. "We met in college."
    "Is that where you both studied the culinary arts?
    "Yes," Dana said. "You don't need a formal education to open your own restaurant or to call yourself a chef--something I think is all too obvious when you eat in some places, by the way."
    "Boy, you're right about that," Tracy said. "We both thought it was important to learn all the classic cooking techniques. It comes in handy if you want to work in a really good restaurant."
    "Or have a really good restaurant," Dana added.
    Ridley watched the interchange between the two women with interest. The more Dana talked about being a chef, the more her face brightened and the more exhilarated she became. Her eyes sparkled, her skin glowed and her chef's hat sat on her head at a jaunty angle. Ridley found her enthusiasm quite contagious.
    "Tracy's right," Dana said. That education made me a much better chef and learning about restaurant management helped me so much when it came to opening this restaurant."
    "I absolutely agree," Tracy said. "And I'm glad I got certified as a pastry chef, too."
    Ridley wagged her index finger at Tracy. "That's a wicked thing to be certified in. The pineapple upside down cake I had on Saturday was out of this world." It was easy to see how happy her compliment made Tracy. Her face said it all.
    "I'm glad you enjoyed it. I wanted to put a new spin on an old homey dessert."
    "You should try her other desserts." Dana patted Tracy on the back, her face brimming with pride.
    "Every one of them is to die for."
    "I'll bet, but what a way to go," Ridley said.
    "Death by dessert," Tracy replied. "That's always been my philosophy. You know, life is short, eat dessert first and all that."
    "I basically agree with that philosophy, although I try not to indulge too often for the sake of my waistline," Ridley said.
    "You don't look like you have a problem with that," Dana said.
    "Not so far, but I'd like to keep it that way," Ridley said before steering the conversation in another direction. "Owning a restaurant has to be hard work. I don't know if I could do it."
    "It can take over your whole life if you let it," Dana said. "Tracy and I decided we weren't willing to sacrifice everything for this. We're both able to run this place without the other one having to be here if either of us needs to take time off."
    Tracy added, "We only serve dinner Tuesday through Saturday and on Sundays, we only do brunch. After brunch is over, we're closed for the rest of the day and we don't stay here and do work either. We really take the evening off."
    "We're closed on Mondays," Dana added. "And I don't come down here at all unless I need something from the kitchen."
    "Dana's the best boss," Tracy interjected. "I admire her as a chef and for the way she runs her restaurant. Everything we serve is top quality and she cares about what she puts in front