“I am a silent partner in three major bistros in Phoenix and a luxury resort in Sedona, and I have worked with world-class chefs for nearly two decades,” Dominic explained while watching her closely. He told her that her flavor profiles were innate and offered his professional help if she ever wanted people to actually appreciate her cooking.
Isabella tucked the card away and didn’t make any promises, but she couldn’t stop her mind from racing as she lay in bed that night listening to Philip snort in his sleep. She thought about her grandmother teaching her to balance spices in her small kitchen in Georgia and how Philip had slowly eroded her confidence until she believed she was lucky to have him.
On Monday morning, as soon as Philip drove away to his job at the high-end boat dealership, Isabella took a deep breath and dialed the number on the card. By noon, she was standing in the immaculate kitchen of “The Hearth,” Dominic’s most famous restaurant, where the staff moved with quiet respect.