The next day the young bartender was once more approaching the restaurant. It was unlike her to show up when she had a day off, yet the chef requested her presence, and she was definitely not going to deny him. Besides, she might have wanted to spend an extra hour or so in his company, uninterrupted by other staff members or his friends. Was it selfish of her to desire just a little bit of his company? Perhaps so.

But she would not deny herself this simple pleasure. Not to ...