Bad Boys of Red Hook [2] You're the One by Robin Kaye Page A

whistles—granite countertops, a small commercial stove, and tons of light. The furnishings were comfortable, leather couches, mission-style tables, and the bedroom was big enough to handle the king-sized bed and double dressers. The apartment had hardwood floors throughout, throw rugs, and a nice homey feel.
    When Patrice caught her staring at the huge bed, she stopped beside her. “It’s a sleep-number bed.” She motioned to the controllers lying on the bedside table. “Rex got a king because he’s a big guy.”
    Skye found herself smiling. “That’s something I realized when I cooked in his kitchen. I had to get a chair to reach some of the pans he had hanging above the workstation.”
    “The bathroom is through here.” Patrice opened the door.
    Skye peeked in. The bathroom was big and gorgeous. The apartment was perfect. “I’m just not sure I’m going to be able to afford it—especially if Rex wants the first and last months’ rent up front.”
    Patrice waved her hand as if a little thing like money was nothing to get excited about. “Rex is more concerned about his renter taking care of his things and his dog than making money.”
    “He’s not going to have a problem with you leaving his dog with a total stranger?”
    Patrice smiled. “No, that’s why he asked me to handle it. He knows I’m a great judge of character and I have a really good feeling about you, Skye.”
    She couldn’t believe this. First Pete hired her even though she refused to list her previous experience, and now Patrice was all but handing her the keys to an incredible apartment. She’d been shown more blind trust in the past twenty-four hours than in her entire life. Maybe people from New York just got a bad rap.
    Pepperoni sat on Skye’s foot, looking up at her and holding what looked like a stuffed version of the puppet Lamb Chop in her little mouth.
    “It looks as if Pepperoni has a good feeling about you too. Let’s give Rex a call and tell him you’re interested. I’m sure you two can work something out. It will be a real relief for him to know that you’re taking over for him at the Crow’s Nest. It’s killed him to leave Pete without a cook, not to mention leaving Pepperoni. If there were any way he could take her, he would have. He loves his little girl.”
    Skye had to admit, Pepperoni was adorable.
    After a conversation with Rex, they’d made a deal they could both live with. He was going to send a lease agreement out in a few days. He told her about caring for Pepperoni and she was surprised to find out the dog was used to sleeping with him. He gave her the lowdown on the kitchen staff, told her about the specials he’d planned for next week, filled her in on where the orders were in his desk, gave her his cell number in case she had any questions Harrison or Pete couldn’t answer, and wished her luck, thanking her for stepping into his shoes.
    She had a smile on her face when she hung up. Pepperoni slept on her lap and Patrice sipped a diet sodashe’d found in the fridge. “The place and the puppy are mine—for now at least.”
    “Great. Now, are you going to use Rex’s towels and sheets, or do we need to take a run to Ikea? I have my car if you want to go.”
    “Maybe after payday. For now, I’ll make do with Rex’s if it’s all the same to you.”
    “Sure. I already washed his sheets and towels and changed the bedding. There’s a washer and dryer in the closet next to the bathroom.”
    “Great. I guess all I need are the keys, and then I have to go back to the Crow’s Nest to get my things.”
    “No, you don’t. The boys will be here—”
    A knock at the door interrupted Patrice. “I texted Francis during your conversation with Rex.” She unlocked the door and opened it to Francis, Logan, Nicki, and a huge dog—an oversized puppy of questionable lineage. One ear stood up and the other flopped over.
    Pepperoni jumped from Skye’s lap to the back of the couch and leaped off it like a