by Fiona Murphy
This morning, I already miss her and my mind is thinking of all the ways I can go home early today. I’m barely out of the elevator at work when I’m met by two other partners. Fuck, this isn’t good. Karen Barker, one of the senior partners, speaks first. “Marco Bracco was here. He was visiting his office here and was ‘just popping in’ to see how things are going.”
Owen Paul, another partner who has Bracco as his client, is looking flushed. “It’s obvious he’s been courted by other firms. As we were talking, he was throwing stuff out about how he prefers us as a mid-sized firm. How hands on we are, almost like a family. Then he fucking asked me a question I couldn’t answer about his company’s recent sales. The expression on his face was clear as day. If we don’t impress the fuck out of him, I’m out a client and this firm is out one of our biggest clients.”
Oh, for fucks-sake. I bristle at being called a mid-sized firm, we have almost the same size, fourteen floors, in New York. The firm brings in over sixty million every month in billables. Bracco should know that considering he is one of our biggest clients. His hometown in Genoa is his base, his base in the states is here in Chicago. “How did things end?”
“I walked him down to his car, telling him I’d call him for dinner. It’s his preference anyway, he likes to do the dinner thing then talk business.”
There are three other partners. I’ve been to everybody’s place. Of the two, besides me, who live close enough to the city, both have places that wouldn’t hold more than a handful of people. “Fine, all the partners. My place, tonight. Tell Bernard he has to come, none of his anti-social bullshit.”
Karen looks relieved. “I knew you could do it. What time?”
“Seven. I have to go call my housekeeper and tell her she has to make magic happen within nine hours, for more than a dozen people.”
“My wife won’t be able to come, she’s down with the flu.”
Karen is nodding, “Susan is out of town at a conference so she won’t be there.”
“That helps. Karen, send out an email to the partners and forward me their RSVPs with or without partners so I know how many to have her prepare for. I need the number ASAP. Owen, have your secretary send me your files on the company so I know what the hell I’m talking about. When I’m done, they’ll cycle among the other partners. We need to know his company as if it were ours.”
“Got it.” Owen disappears.
“Thanks, Ethan and to think Owen was one of the holdouts on making you a partner.” Karen smiles as she heads for her office.
I’m not surprised about Owen, he’s had it out for me for years. Opal is waiting for me. “Nothing that isn’t an emergency happens today. Owen’s secretary will be by with a file for me. I need you to dig up everything you can, not just from this office but even whispers on the web or out in the business world on Marco Bracco and his company, Mizzoni’s.”
My ass has barely hit my seat before Owen’s secretary, Jenny, is handing me two thick files. I study them as I wait for Karen to send me numbers. Ten minutes later, I have the numbers. All the partners are in, but not all will be bringing their significant other, bringing the total to ten.
I call Holly.
“Hey, you’re calling early.”
“I’m calling early because by seven o’clock tonight I need you to have prepared dinner for eleven, that eleven includes you. You’ll need to play hostess, wear that red dress you wore when we went out.”
“You’re serious.”
“My firm is in danger of losing a client, I’m very serious. A little food import business, Mizzoni’s, ever hear of them?” They are one of the top tier Italian food importers in the world, sold at only the finest stores.
“Are any of the guests vegetarian or have food allergies?”
Like I fucking know. “I have no idea.”
“Of course you don’t. Where is the client from?”
“What?”
“Northern Italians and Italians from the south have very different food preferences. Do you know what city the client is from?”
“Genoa.”
“Okay. It’ll be ready.” I trust her assurance completely.
Chapter Twenty Three
Hearing the ringtone that tells me it’s Ethan, I answer happily. Until I listen to the challenge he gives me. My stomach churns. I can do this. I have to do this. Ethan’s reputation is at stake, along with his law firm.
Pulling out a pad, I start to make up the menu, based on how easy it will be, as well as common dishes of Genoa. Menu done, I call the closest Binny’s and use Ethan’s name without hesitation. I order a case of six red 2008 Angelo Gaja Barbaresco and six bottles of 2013 Bruno Giacosa Roero Arneis for white, both were from the northern regions of Italy and those from that area were extremely proud of it. I also order two bottles of Redbreast 21 for the scotch drinkers. For an extra fee, they are willing to deliver. The total makes me shudder, even though I know Ethan wouldn’t blink at it.
I go through the refrigerator, then start making a list. I’m in jeans, with a comfy black tee shirt with a faded looking Union Jack on the front. Fuck, I have to go to Whole Foods, where people shopped in high heels. Giving in to pressure, I go into my room to change into a soft, pretty, pink sheer top with a matching pink camisole, but I keep my sneakers on.
When I go downstairs, I let the front desk know of the impending delivery, requesting they take the delivery upstairs. Clark, the person at the front desk tells me not to worry, it will be taken care of. As I walk outside, I find Ricky waiting.
“Thank goodness.” I exhale as he opens the back door.
“Mr. Bishop thought you’d need me.” Ricky smiles as I get in.
“Yes, thank you.”
I give him the address for the closest Whole Foods. For the marathon run of shopping, I’m thankful for the ease of Ethan’s money in a way I never would have thought of. When the people behind the counters see I’m serious about spending money and shopping, I get the kind of assistance that makes everything easier. I’m also lucky to see dozens of wrapped sunflowers. I tell the flower person what I need and they promise they’ll have it ready.
The meal is easy, with appetizers of parmesan baked green beans, prosciutto wrapped asparagus, a toothpick of grape tomatoes, small balls of mozzarella and fresh leaf basil for Caprese salad on a stick. For the main entrée, I’ll be serving pesto with penne pasta and sliced grilled chicken. Dessert will be the choice of tiramisu or pistachio gelato.
Walking through the door, I see the delivery waiting in the kitchen. I move everything to the other end of the island. The dining room end of the island, where stools would usually be, is empty. Ricky had come up with me, as I needed help with the bags. He sets his bags on the kitchen counter then waves goodbye. One of the doormen is carrying in the three vases of sunflowers. I thank him, handing him a twenty. After setting my own bags on the counter, I change back into my tee shirt.
Looking around at everything, I’m more than pleased. Everything is prepped; I could start and within a half hour be completely done. I check the time and it’s only a little past two. Now all I need is the hostess part. I’m terrified I’ll embarrass Ethan. There’s a place I’ve passed on Michigan Avenue, and do a quick search for them. Squirming inside, I call using Ethan’s name. I need the works, not color but a haircut and make up, and I need it in the next hour. Still chipper voiced, she tells me to come in, they’ll have a chair waiting.
I change into the red dress, garter belt and stockings, and wearing black ballet flats. When I walk through the door I give my name, the woman looks me up and down. Then yells for Chloe, Chloe comes out. She’s beautiful, it’s a little intimidating.
With a kind, wide smile, she immediately puts me at ease. “Holly? Nice to meet you, come with me.” I’m taken to the back for a shampoo. “Your hair is really thick and long. Is this the way you like it most?”
“I wouldn’t mind losing at least two inches, keeping it at my shoulders. I like the idea of losing some
weight but I don’t want it so thinned out when it grows back it gets shaggy. I’m not great at keeping up with the every six weeks trim thing.”
“Not a problem. You have a pretty, heart-shaped face, we’re going to play that up with some shaping. I’ll do just a little thinning, nothing that will leave you looking shaggy.”
When she turns me to face the mirror, I’m in love with the cut. I can’t stop running my hands through it, it feels light, framing my face softly, without hard edges. “I love it. To keep this up I might do better at remembering to come back.”
She smiles, “I’m glad, now off you go to Regina. She’s waiting to do your makeup.”
Regina isn’t as smiling as Chloe was. “What are you looking for?” She asks, as if she’s bored.
“I’m not a huge makeup wearer. Nothing heavy, it’s a lawyer-filled party, so keeping it light and refined is best. No fake eye lashes or anything like that, please.”
“Okay, lay back and close your eyes.” After almost twenty minutes, she stops and I can hear her roll away. “I’m done.”
Looking in the mirror, it isn’t what I hoped for. I shake my head, “This is too heavy. I asked you for light make up. The eye liner is overdone, my blush isn’t even the right shade, and the lipstick is too dark.”
With a sigh, she rolls her eyes. “You look good.”
“I didn’t ask you if I looked good. You didn’t give me what I asked for. I haven’t signed the credit card slip and filled in the tip yet. Do you want one or not?”
She straightens, the boredom leaves her eyes. “I apologize, of course I’ll redo it. If you’ll lay back and close your eyes.”
Wiping my face clean she begins again. It still takes almost twenty minutes. I’m worried when she announces she’s done. Opening my eyes, I’m relieved to see it’s exactly what I asked for. My makeup makes me look elegant in the dark red dress, perfect for Ethan Bishop’s hostess.
I take the two slips up front and tip forty percent to Chloe considering the time frame, and what a great cut it is. Because of Regina’s having to do it twice, I only tip what I think is the standard twenty percent. Normally, I would have fainted dead away at the amounts, only I know they are worth it.
Heading home, I check the clock and see it’s almost five. I begin to get down the glassware and make sure there isn’t any dust on them. The white wine has been chilling in the freezer so I pull those out to sit next to the bottles of red wine. Setting out the glasses in front of them. I go still when I hear the front door open. Turning, I see Ethan. His eyes are roaming over the condo before stopping at me.
“Hell, you look sexy as fuck. Are you wearing make up? And you cut your hair.”
His expression is thoughtful. Did he like it? I wasn’t really a makeup girl. I would be if he wanted me to be. “What?”
“I get it now, it’s only supposed to enhance not over-power you. You look gorgeous, I like the haircut. The makeup, I’m glad it won’t be a permanent thing because your face is smooth and bright without it. Don’t come near me or I will definitely mess up your makeup. Come with me though, I want to get changed and need your opinion.”
His words fill me to bursting with happiness. Swallowing my desire to grin like a maniac I don’t move. I know what he’s asking for. “I know the Saville Row suits are supposed to impress, but I love you in the black Armani suit. Plain white shirt and the black tie that has the slight sheen to it.”
“Got it, in that case, stay out of the bedroom. I don’t trust myself near you.”
Laughing, I go back to wait on the couch.
He comes back straightening his tie. “What’s the menu? I checked and no allergies and no vegetarians.”
“Great, that will make everything much easier. Everything is prepped, I can start a half hour before and everything will be done.”
Ethan is eyeing the fridge. “It looks perfect. You made tiramisu?”
“Yes, I also made a smaller one all for you.”
“That’s my girl. Your mom had to do the hosting thing before, right? You know what you need to do?”
“Yep, we had the brass though the house more than a few times. Smile, ask questions about the person but not so many it’s question after question. I looked him up when I was getting a haircut. Talk you and your firm up as if you were the best thing since sliced bread, without going overboard.”
“The layout is perfect, it will give everyone space, yet also an area to congregate.” He checks the bottles of wine. “Good girl, you didn’t cheap out. Bracco needs to know how much we value him.”
“Can you help me put the extra leaf in the table? I was afraid I’d break something.”
“Sure, it’s pretty easy.” We begin moving chairs away to give us more room. Then we pull the table apart, giving us the room we would need to take the table from seating eight to seating twelve. All the chairs around the table are dusted already; the four others away from the table, I dust lightly then add them to the table. I go into the kitchen and add two vases of the sunflowers as centerpieces. These two are short enough to keep out of the line of vision, sunflowers are special to Italians. The third and largest vase of sunflowers is set among the appetizers.
The doorbell rings at a little after six. Ethan goes to open the door, and almost immediately I hear people fill the room. One by one, I’m introduced to partners from Ethan’s firm. I’m not really surprised to find there is only one woman as a partner. There’s a staid man who seems too old to be working, the guy whose client we are hosting is nice, and must have said thank you about a half dozen times.
I leave them to work out their strategy and start cooking. Putting the water on to boil first, then the chicken. Turning on the oven to make sure it’s preheated, I put on an apron and start cooking. The chicken is done at the same time as the pasta, once I drain the pasta, I put it in the serving dish. Then I begin cutting up the chicken into strips before adding it to the pasta. Taking the pesto out of the refrigerator, I add it, mixing everything together until pesto coats the chicken and pasta. Once it’s done, I put the bowl back in the refrigerator to allow the hot noodles to cool. I start the green beans and give it ten minutes.
Wiping down the counters, I rinse out what I’ve used, then put it into the dishwasher. The serving dish with mozzarella and tomatoes I set out first. Back in the kitchen, I take down two more serving dishes for the French cut parmesan green beans and prosciutto wrapped asparagus. Now is the time to start emptying the fridge, I pull out the asparagus and melon balls.
When I put out the melon balls and set them down, it feels like everyone’s eyes are on me. “Umm, just so you know, dinner is pesto with grilled chicken and will be served family style, which means it gets passed around. Dessert will either be pistachio gelato or tiramisu.” The timer saves me, allowing me to escape into the kitchen for the parmesan green beans then trade them out for the asparagus. Because I covered the cooking sheets with parchment paper before laying out the green beans, they fall off onto the serving dish with barely a shake of my wrist needed. From the utensil drawer I take out a small pair of tongs then reach up for dessert plates. I can only carry six plates at time, and go back for six more, even though I was told only eleven people. Now the timer goes off for the asparagus, the prosciutto will need a little longer to cool.
Ethan comes into the kitchen, puts a hand on my hip, and whispers in my ear. “Excellent job so far, sweetheart. Owen should be back here soon with the client. It’s like you’re a mind reader, the guest is bringing a little friend. I’m going to grab another glass for wine. Can you add another place setting?”
I nod, fighting a shiver at his breath on my ear. I pull out another cloth setting along with silverware, and after adding the place setting, I’m back in the kitchen, moving the asparagus to the serving dish. I add another pair of tongs to the serving dish and leave the kitchen to place it on the island.
Ethan’s arm goes around me, his hand possessive around my waist. Introductions are made all around. Ethan
sidesteps questions by introducing me as his hostess for the evening. My Italian has always been better than my French, so in Italian, I thank him for coming and hope he enjoys his time with us.
Chapter Twenty Four
Looking around my home, my pride in Holly’s hard work is huge. Karen has mentioned she’s impressed as well, she also tells me Holly has a nice ass. I give her a look. Karen’s right though, Holly’s ass looks good in her dress. Her inherent beauty is highlighted by the new haircut and light makeup. When she sets down the flowers, I’m drawn to her. My arm goes around her waist, bringing her closer to me.
Owen arrives with Bracco and after a few introductions, makes it to me and I introduce Holly as my hostess. Holly surprises the shit out of me when she greets the man in fluent Italian. I remember her mentioning the time she spent there, the way she loved Italy, and how she’d love to go back.
Bracco is taken with Holly instantly. He clasps her hand in both of his and kisses the back of it several times. As we are supposed to be mingling, it annoys the hell out of me the way Bracco never moves more than five feet away from Holly. Their conversation is constantly peppered with Italian. Finally, we move to the dinner table, and as with most clients, we don’t discuss business over dinner. I seat Holly a few people down from Bracco. She sees the way I’m not very subtle about it. Her hand’s in mine and I hold it until she asks for it back so she can eat.
Dinner goes quickly, with many compliments given to Holly, who would only say thank you. Dessert is a treat; almost everyone consumes more than one serving. The end of the night is definitely a success when Bracco notes how much of a family we all are and how he loves to be a part of it all. Bracco shakes my hand, telling me I’m a very lucky man. When Karen leaves, she says the same thing as Bracco. Owen thanks me, then hugs Holly while thanking her profusely.