The Winemaker's Dinner: Entrée

by Dr. Ivan Rusilko

  “So, Jade, are you going to the network gala tonight?” Damian asked in his too-familiar way, sidling up next to her. “I can only imagine how stunning you’ll look—a pretty little thing like you all done up.”

  His fake French accent sounded like nails on a chalkboard. What kind of question was that? Of course she was going tonight. The annual gala was the network’s largest and most public gathering, and she’d been planning on it for weeks. Yet another thing Ivan was missing, but still, it was an important event, and she was determined to have a good time. Taking a deep, calming breath, she responded. “Yes, Damian, of course I’m going. And again, my name is Jaden, not Jade. Please don’t call me that.”

  “Oh, someone’s getting a bit testy. Haven’t gotten laid in a while, I assume?” He let the question linger just long enough to exasperate her, then switched into professional mode. Well, as professional as he got. “I’ll just do a little prep for the next show now. Excuse me,” he said with a smile that almost seemed sincere.

  “Damian,” she sighed. It was the only response she could muster. Over the past few months she’d built up a certain tolerance to his inappropriate comments, and despite herself, she had to admit he was occasionally entertaining. Though he was always a challenge on the set, he did spice up the show. And, as Tasha liked to point out, he was nice to look at. She was a woman with needs, after all, and Damian was, well…gorgeous. Women would give their left arms to be in her shoes—to have a man like Damian lust after them. But those women don’t have Ivan, she reminded herself. However, the fact that she didn’t often give Damian the time of day had made him more intent on getting into her pants. God, men are so easy…

  But with his last ridiculous comment, Damian had actually been right, which irritated her even more. The buzzing bunny that kept her company during occasional dirty phone calls with Ivan was growing old and boring. She longed to feel him in her and on her, his scent surrounding her. The sex they shared—when they shared it—was full of raw and unbridled passion, which built up to impossible levels during their time apart. She loved their journey into experimentation and exploration, testing the limits of how far the other was willing to go. God, she was horny all the time these days. A pull of her hair, a bite on her neck, the feeling of him working his way deep inside her inch by inch—Fuck! How had she become such a nympho? Ivan had made her some sort of sexual diva. And a frustrated one at that.

  “Oh, but, Jaden?” Damian called from the set. “If you need a ride—in the car that is—I’d be happy to pick you up.”

  His voice snapped her out of her daydream. “No, it’s okay. I’ll have Adam take me. But thank you for the offer.”

  “Okay,” he replied with a shrug. “Just call me if you need a lift.”

  Good God, you’ve made your point! she shouted silently. “What a pain in the ass,” she mumbled under her breath.

  And yet she found herself staring at him as he arranged cookware on the set. He wasn’t the type she’d go for, and he was nothing like Ivan, but she couldn’t help but admire the back of him. Dressed in khakis and a surfer boy short-sleeved shirt, he did remind her of a Ken doll. I just need to get laid, she told herself. By Ivan! Two more weeks…

  Jaden looked at her watch and sighed. She was expected at the party in a few short hours. As she started out of the studio and toward the dressing room to meet Kat and get ready, she fished her phone from her purse. The message on the screen informed her that she had several missed texts, all of them from Ivan. The first one read:

  I hope you have a great time tonight, baby girl.

  Wish I could be with you.

  A smile spread across her face as she read the second message.

  So excited for Colorado!

  Could you plan on being gone a few extra days?

  I have a surprise for you! ;)

  Surprise? It had been too long since she was treated to one of Ivan’s amazing surprises. Praying there was nothing major coming up on the schedule, Jaden whipped out her phone and checked her calendar. Perfect—they didn’t start filming again until midweek after she came back. Feeling excitement course through her, she read the third and final message.

  My love for you runs through my veins like a fine wine.

  You intoxicate me.

  With a wide smile, she typed a quick message back:

  I can take a few extra days—anything

  for one of your surprises!

  Gotta run to the gala. Xoxo

  As she put her phone away, Jaden pulled the tiger eye rosary from her purse—the one Ivan had made as a teenager and she’d selected from among his mother’s jewelry creations. She drew comfort from it whenever they were apart. Smiling, she tucked it back into the inside pocket where it had been since the day Marie gave it to her.

  Inside her dressing room, she found Kat ready and waiting, dressed from head to toe in black and wearing a million-dollar smile.

  “Hey, girl, are you ready to be made up? I have a new eye shadow I picked up just for tonight. I think you’re gonna love it!”

  “Yes, darling, make me purrrrty,” Jaden replied in the thickest hillbilly accent she could manage.

  “Did you see the dress the studio sent over for you to wear?” Kat asked, motioning to the closet door.

  Jaden turned to look and gawked in surprise. “Pink? Really? Wow, they’re really trying to girl me up, aren’t they?”

  “I’m guessing they’re dressing Damian in blue so the two of you can be the Barbie and Ken of the party: One Hot Couple from One Hot Kitchen.”

  “That boy is a perfect Ken,” Jaden remarked. “Thankfully I’m not Barbie, and Ken is soooo not my type.”

  “What, no bad boy fetish?” Kat mused. She gestured for Jaden to sit and began brushing her hair.

  “I never understood the whole bad boy, cocky attitude thing that appeals to some women,” Jaden admitted. “I’m more of an old-school gal. I go for compliments and chivalry—the whole jackets over puddles deal. Thinking your shit doesn’t stink does nothing for me. Damian needs a bit of an attitude adjustment. He’s one hot piece of real estate, but he’s just not for me.”

  “I’d do him in a heartbeat,” Kat countered.

  Jaden burst into laughter. “I’m sure all you have to do is ask him! No doubt he’d be a hell of a lay. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t Googled him and admired a picture or two, but I have everything I need with Ivan.” She sank back in the chair while Kat went to work on her hair and makeup, giggling at her crazy stories.

  “How are things with Ivan?” Kat asked when the conversation had steered itself back in that direction.

  “Things are okay, I guess. But it’s getting harder. The distance makes it difficult. But he’s still as romantic as ever. There was the Napa trip a couple months ago, and now he’s planning some other surprise when we go to visit my folks in Colorado in a couple weeks. He’s trying to make things as easy as possible, but it’s still hard.”

  “He’s meeting your family?”

  “Yes.” Jaden smiled. “My mom invited Ivan to my dad’s retirement party.”

  “Hmmm,” was all Kat said as she continued her inquisition. “Do you trust him? I mean, he’s a doctor, a model, and has all the right connections. I’d be worried he was dipping his pen in the proverbial Miami ink.”

  Jaden sighed, trying to sound dismissive. What was it with people always suggesting Ivan was unfaithful? She trusted him, and he trusted her. That’s why they had such an amazing relationship. Without trust, it would’ve collapsed ages ago.

  “All I know,” Kat continued, “is with his good looks and charm, I’d keep him under lock and key.”

  “Ah, well…” Jaden managed, this time not feeling as certain. Her mind began to spin in every direction. He had been distant…and so busy…But that’s just what happens sometimes, right? Then, clear as a bell, a conversation that did not actually include her began to play in her head:

  Is he being faithful

  so far away?
r />   Yes, of course.

  He would never

  do anything like that.

  Wouldn’t he?

  How much does

  she know of his past?

  She knows of his present,

  the promises he’s made,

  and that’s what matters.

  She’s only known him

  for so long. Is there

  history she doesn’t

  know about?

  Why does there

  have to be history?

  Doctor, model,

  entrepreneur

  …come on, really?

  Those things

  don’t mean he’s destined

  to be a playboy.

  How stupid are you?

  Trust builds

  relationships that last.

  Doesn’t trust afford

  the opportunity to cheat?

  She’s happy now.

  There’s no need

  to question it.

  Question it?

  What if she’s missing

  the time of her life?

  Hasn’t she had

  amazing moments

  with him the past year?

  Yes, but what

  has she missed?

  Nothing of consequence

  because he’s the One.

  How do you know

  he’s the One?

  Because of

  the way they fit together,

  the commitment

  they’ve made.

  But she needs

  to make sure,

  doesn’t she?

  No, there’s no need

  to risk anything.

  She just needs

  to be strong.

  Better to know

  now than later, I say.

  She needs to get laid…

  Was Ivan being unfaithful? Is that why he’d found reasons to change their plans? Was she missing opportunities because she’d become so focused on him? What was passing her by? She shook her head to clear her thoughts and earned a disapproving glare in the mirror from Kat.

  “Okay, you’re done,” Kat announced a few minutes later, pinning the last of the curls to the top of Jaden’s head. “Let’s get you into that dress.”

  Jaden stood and stripped down to her panties and bra. With Kat’s help, she slid the oh-so-pink dress over her head. Damn! As much as she avoided pink, the dress highlighted Kat’s subtle makeup job and warmed the natural tone of her skin. She did a complete turn, earning a nod of approval.

  “Girl, if I was into women, you’d be in some serious trouble,” Kat said. “You look stunning.”

  Blushing, Jaden admired herself in the mirror. Excitement began to rise in her chest. She’d been looking forward to this evening for months, and even though Ivan wasn’t there to share it, she was going to have some fun.

  The clock on the wall told her it was much later than she expected. Adam had been waiting outside for quite a while now. She hurried to collect her belongings and stopped to give Kat a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thanks for everything. You did an amazing job as usual.”

  Kat’s voice echoed down the hallway as Jaden headed for the car. “Have fun tonight, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.”

  The sound of her high heels clicking against the polished marble floor echoed off the walls as she dashed toward the door. And as expected, Adam stood beside the car waiting patiently.

  “Ms. Thorne, you look absolutely stunning tonight.”

  “I bet you say that to all the women.” She smiled and tucked herself into the backseat of the town car. As they dipped around corners and down hills, her stomach began to flutter. Tonight promised to be several fun-filled hours of drinks with the hosts of the other network shows—people she’d befriended since moving to LA, but never got to see enough of.

  Her phone buzzed, announcing a text message, and she fished it out of her purse. This time it was from Tasha.

  I miss you, girl. Big party tonight, right? You’re probably just on the way, and I’m going to bed! Hope you’re doing great, and I hope to see you soon. Love you!

  Miss you too, girl! Yes, big party so wish me luck.

  I’d rather have pizza and beer with you.

  Yeah, sure. Stay safe, and don’t do anything I wouldn’t do!

  Jaden rolled her eyes. The thought of what Tasha would do was both frightening and hilarious.

  Oh shit, Ivan! Texting with Tasha reminded her she hadn’t really acknowledged his messages from earlier—other than the quick calendar check. But now Adam was pulling the car into the parking lot of the hotel hosting the evening’s event. Tucking the phone back into her purse, she promised herself that no matter how late she got home, she’d email Ivan to tell him all about the night.

  “We’re here, Ms. Thorne,” Adam called from the front seat.

  She took one last deep breath, then opened the door and stepped out into the night. Here we go!

  “Have fun this evening. I’ll be waiting for you.”

  “Thank you, Adam.” Before she started across the parking lot to the check-in area, she grabbed him a Rusilko bear hug. Judging by the shocked expression on his face, she’d caught him off guard. She laughed, feeling buoyant as she walked toward the crowd and added a little strut to her step. Stacey cleared a path for her between the photographers and climbers who were clamoring for a chance to attend the hot-ticket event.

  “Stunning as usual,” Stacey said as Jaden pushed her way through the throngs of people.

  “Thanks. You look great too. How is everything in there?” Jaden motioned toward the door where a line had started to form.

  “It’s insane. That’s why they’ve got me out here on door duty.” Stacey scowled and rolled her eyes. “I’ll be in a minute to join you. Work that red carpet, girl. And wait until you see what Damian’s wearing. Wardrobe went all out on that boy.”

  For reasons unbeknown to her, Jaden smiled at the thought of seeing Damian all dressed up. No jeans and T-shirt this time, eh? She giggled to herself.

  The not-so-helpful voice piped up:

  Mmmm-hmmmm….

  Chapter 15

  “Rootless Tree”

  THE HOTEL LOBBY WAS PURE DECADENCE. The venue had been made all the more popular by its recent appearance in a national architectural magazine, and Jaden could now see what all the fuss was about. A ten-foot waterfall anchored the open space, surrounded by plush white leather couches and shiny glass tables. The smell of eucalyptus wafted through the air and mingled with the rumblings of a party getting underway.

  With every step she took, Jaden grew more confident. Though not what she would have picked for herself, the soft pink gown hugged her curves and her silver four-inch heels shimmered against the white marble floors and ruby red carpet. Jaden drew closer to the party’s entrance and saw a sea of reporters and photographers awaiting her arrival as if she were some celebrity. Wait, is that what she was? A celebrity? Despite all the fanfare that had recently surrounded her, Jaden still had a hard time wrapping her head around her sudden fame. Yeah, maybe a G-list celebrity. She laughed to herself.

  A reporter for the six o’clock news began speaking into her microphone as Jaden approached. This alerted the other press sharks, who joined the media frenzy. Within seconds, thirty or so photographers and cameramen had their lenses trained on her as she strode past them, escorted by a young woman dressed head to toe in black. The girl deposited her near a large One Hot Kitchen logo that stood beside the entrance to the ballroom.

  “Oh my. She looks gorgeous,” a woman wearing an LA Times press pass gushed to the man beside her.

  With the logo behind her, Jaden smiled. Cameras began to click and a hundred flashes lit up the room. Confidence welled within her. She knew she looked good, and the buzz she heard over the clicking of cameras confirmed it. Ivan had taught her so much, and posing for the media was no problem now. But hell, this was a far cry from Miami, let alone Estes Park.

&
nbsp; The flashing of cameras stopped just as quickly as it had started, and she paused mid-pose. The media’s attention now turned to the next celebrity to grace the red carpet. Well, if that was my fifteen minutes of fame, I’ll take it, she chortled to herself. She turned to enter the party, but the woman in black seized her arm.

  “Would you mind posing for a few more shots?” she asked.

  “Yeah, we’d love to get a few shots of you and your co-host together,” a photographer at the front of the media circus added. He jerked his head toward the back of the room, where the person who’d stolen her show—and now her red carpet moment—had just entered.

  Strutting down the red carpet as only he could was Damian, larger than life and sporting his ever-popular I-don’t-give-a-fuck attitude. Despite this, she couldn’t help but stare. His usual surfer boy jeans and T-shirt had been replaced by tailored pants that hung from his hips and poured over his black pointed dress shoes. And his black suit jacket covered a crisp, patterned white shirt, accented by a cobalt blue skinny tie. He had a smile for everyone he passed and worked the media like a pro, as if truly in his element. His chiseled jaw appeared even more defined than usual, and his eyes, blue and sparkling in the flash of the cameras, were fixed on…her? Looking the way he did, how could she not be impressed?