“What do you think?”
“It’s very red.”
“You hate it?”
“No, I don’t hate it. It’s just not what I’d pick out. But I can tell that you love it.”
“I do. It will be perfect in the studio. It’s bright and cheery and fun. The ladies will love it. Oh, and that silver lamp will look marvelous with it, too. There was a standing silvery lamp that had a vintage look that she adored.
“I owe Lily for telling me about this.”
She was even more excited when she learned the asking price, which was far less than she expected. She wrote a check out on the spot, and then she helped Ryan lift the sofa into the back of the SUV rental. They slid the lamp in beside it and then were on their way.
Once they were home and got the sofa and lamp into the studio, Barbi was thrilled. It looked exactly as she’d imagined. Perfect.
* * *
Ryan left to go have lunch with his father and spend the afternoon visiting while Barbi puttered around the house doing laundry, then stopped by her mother’s house for a visit and to the grocery store to pick up a few things. Ryan had said he was going to stop there, too, on his way home, and when she offered to pick up whatever he needed he just laughed and said it was going to be a surprise but that she should expect to be well fed. He was going to cook for her tonight and she was looking forward to it. So far, his visit couldn’t be going any better.
Chapter 27
When Ryan came home, he was carrying two loaded shopping bags that he unloaded in the kitchen. Barbi watched, curious to see what he’d bought. As it turned out, he’d bought everything. There was so much food that she couldn’t begin to imagine what he was going to make. It could be anything.
“I got a little carried away at the store. I was hungry. It’s not a good idea to go grocery shopping when you’re hungry. It can be dangerous.”
Barbi laughed. “Well, we won’t have to go to the store again for a while.”
“Are you in the mood for seafood or steak?”
“I don’t care. I like both.”
“Okay, we’re going to have a seafood carbonara, salad, and an appetizer that is going to knock your socks off.”
“Can I do anything to help?” she offered.
“Yes. You can pour yourself a glass of wine and crack open a beer for me. You could put the salad together, too, if you like.”
“I can do that.” Barbi got their drinks and then washed and cut the lettuce and vegetables for the salad and put it all in a large bowl. She sipped her wine and watched him work. He was very intent on what he was doing, and no movement was wasted as he stirred and tasted and adjusted the seasoning.
Once the pasta was done and the seafood was half-cooked, he took a break to sit down and snack on the appetizers that he had just pulled out of the oven. They were the strangest looking things and Barbi was hesitant to try one. She’d never had dates before. But these were stuffed with gorgonzola cheese and wrapped in bacon and cooked until the bacon was almost like candy. It was sticky and sweet from the warm dates and the creamy cheese pulled it all together.
“Oh, my…” was all she could say.
Ryan laughed. “I thought you’d like them. People go crazy about those things at the restaurant. They had a few more each and then Ryan went to finish the pasta dish. He made a creamy sauce in the same skillet he’d cooked the seafood in, and added onion, pancetta, olive oil, eggs and cream. When it turned into a creamy sauce, he added the pasta and seafood and cooked it a minute or two longer to finish the seafood and thicken the sauce. Then he plated it into two big bowls and dusted grated parmesan and a sprinkling of parsley on top.
They brought their bowls into the living room and ate on the sofa. The salad was completely forgotten. Barbi had never had a pasta dish like this one. It was silky and sexy and creamy and over the top delicious. Ryan watched her enjoying it and smiled.
“This is one of my favorite things in the world to make. I’m glad that you’re enjoying it.”
“It’s amazing. It’s the best thing I’ve ever had.”
He laughed. “There’s salad still.”
“I don’t care about the salad. Just the pasta.”
They ate their fill and after all the dishes were done and the leftovers put away, they returned to the sofa. Ryan pulled her close to him and leaned in for a kiss. She eagerly accepted and they kissed for quite a long time before finally slowing it down and deciding to watch a movie. They decided on one that neither of them had seen before, a comedy that had gotten good reviews. The movie was good, but it was hard for Barbi to concentrate with Ryan sitting so close to her, wanting to kiss him again and knowing it was probably best to take things slow, until they were both really sure of where they wanted this to go. Barbi was sure of her feelings but she wasn’t as sure of his. Though, so far, all seemed to be going well.
Chapter 28
Both Barbi and Ryan slept in Saturday morning. Barbi went down to her studio around nine, after having her morning coffee, and did a short yoga routine she was trying out. When she finished, she showered and then went for a second cup of coffee. Ryan was up by then, checking email on his laptop and drinking a cup of coffee.
“Good morning. Are you hungry?” he asked when he saw her.
“No. I think I’m still full from last night. I’m just going to grab a banana.”
“Whenever you’re ready, we can go pick up the cats.”
She smiled. “I’ll be ready in ten.”
A half hour later, they pulled into the shelter, and Angela opened the door to greet them. Barbi had picked up two cat carriers the day before, so she helped Angela guide the two cats into them. They cried a bit on the way back to the house. It was a short ride, and as soon as they got home they let them out in the studio to explore. And explore they did. They slowly made their way around the entire house, exploring and sniffing every nook and cranny. Eventually, they made their way into the living room where both Ryan and Barbi were relaxing on the sofa, Ryan doing a crossword puzzle and Barbi reading a magazine. She kept an eye on the time, though, as she had to work that night. Ryan was going to be going out to dinner with his family.
Oscar and Felix were settling in surprisingly well. Oscar was already curled up next to Ryan on the sofa while Felix was stretched out by Barbi’s feet. He was mostly sleeping, but every now and then he’d wake up and bat his paws at the bottom of Barbi’s pants. They were both very cute and she was glad they seemed to be adjusting quickly. She felt bad leaving them, but Ryan wasn’t heading to his parents’ until around six, and she’d be home by eleven at the latest. So they wouldn’t be alone for long.
She was feeling optimistic about how well she and Ryan were doing. She knew there was a forced intimacy with him staying there, but she had to admit she liked it. It felt like they’d been a couple already for much longer—even though they were taking things slow.
His cell phone dinged and he pulled it out, checked a text message and then it dinged again. He frowned as he read the message and then typed back. A moment later, it dinged again. Another frown and more typing. He looked her way and sighed.
“It’s Sophia. She’s insisting that I stay with her when I go to Chicago next week.”
“She wants you to stay with her? Did you tell her that we’re dating now?”
“Of course. But she says that its silly to stay in a hotel when she has a huge condo a block from the studio. It would be completely innocent. I don’t want to stay there, but I don’t want to offend her, either.”
Barbi knew exactly what Sophia was up to.
“Do whatever you think is best,” was all she said.
“Thanks. I’m not looking forward to this trip at all.”
“So cancel it, then,” she said.
“I can’t. I signed a contract. It will be good for the restaurants. That’s the only reason I agreed to it.”
“Well, then, you’ll just have to make the best of it.” She wasn’t at all thrilled wit
h Ryan staying at Sophia’s place, but if anything was going to happen with her, better to know now. She wouldn’t want him back after that.
Chapter 29
When Barbi finished her early morning yoga class on Sunday she thought that Ryan might be up, but his door was still shut. She decided to head out to the other breakfast place that she occasionally frequented, on Sundays, when Kelsey’s Kafe was closed. She wasn’t at all surprised when she walked into the Blueberry Patch, which was just around the corner on Main Street, and both Jaclyn and Simon were seated at the counter. They smiled when they saw her and waved her over.
“Join us,” Simon said.
“We feel like we’re cheating when we come here, but what are we supposed to do?” Jaclyn said and Barbi nodded. Kelsey’s Kafe was closed on Sundays.
“I know. I feel the same way. The food is good here, but the omelets are just not as good as Bob’s.”
“So, how’ve you been? What’s new and exciting in your life?” Simon asked.
Barbi smiled. “I adopted two cats yesterday. Oscar and Felix. We’ll have you over for dinner soon and you can meet them.”
“We?” Jaclyn leaned in.
“Well, you know I’m renting Ryan’s house. He comes occasionally.”
“Mm hm. What aren’t you telling us?”
“Well, we are sort of dating,” she admitted. It felt strange but good to say it out loud.
“Good. You took my advice then.”
“I did. Thank you.”
“What are you talking about? What advice?” Simon asked.
“Never you mind. It’s girl stuff,” Jaclyn said as she patted Barbi’s hand and gave it a squeeze. “I am so happy for you.”
“Thank you. It’s early days still. And he’s going to Chicago next week and staying with that Sophia.”
Jaclyn frowned at that. “He volunteered the information?”
Barbi nodded.
“And you trust him?”
Barbi nodded again.
“Then try not to worry about it. If it becomes a problem, then it’s not meant to be.”
“You’re right. I know you’re right.”
“You’re just nervous and worried. Because you really like this one.”
Barbi nodded. “I do.”
“Have faith, then.”
“Okay, I will.”
* * *
When Barbi returned home, Ryan was in the kitchen on his laptop, and the cats were sound asleep on the living room sofa. He looked up when she she walked in.
“Hey, there. My father wants to have us over for dinner. If that’s all right with you?”
The invitation took her by surprise.
“Sure, that would be fine.”
She wasn’t sure how to feel. She was a little disappointed that it wasn’t going to be just the two of them on his last night in town, but at the same time if he was having her meet his father for dinner, maybe that meant she was important to him. She hoped so.
Chapter 30
Barbi was nervous about having dinner at Ryan’s father’s house. It had been so long since she’d been there. It almost felt like another lifetime. But both his father and Sylvia had seemed happy to see her and made her feel welcome. They had a wonderful dinner of lasagna and meatballs. Ryan had warned her to save room for dessert, though.
“We’re glad that you came with Ryan tonight,” his father said as they relaxed over coffee and Sylvia’s amazing apple pie.
“I’m honored that you invited me,” Barbi said.
“I really do want to try one of your yoga classes,” Sylvia said. “My friend Meredith says they’re wonderful. I’ve just never done yoga before.”
“That’s okay,” Barbi assured her. “You can go at your own pace. I have all levels in my classes.”
“When are you heading back to Boston?” his father asked.
“Tomorrow, unfortunately.”
“Will you be coming back again soon?” Sylvia asked.
“Hopefully in the next few weeks. I have to go to Chicago next week for a guest show thing.”
“What does that mean?” his father asked.
“I’m going to be on Sophia’s show. It will be good for the restaurants.”
“Oh. Hm.” His father looked as though he did not approve and Barbi instantly liked him more for it.
* * *
They said their goodbyes, and Barbi noticed that Ryan was quiet on the way home. He seemed in a better mood, though, once they were in the house, and the cats ran over to greet them and to be fed. Barbi fed them and then joined Ryan in the living room. He was on the sofa flipping channels when she sat next to him and laid her head on his shoulder.
“Your dad is sweet and Sylvia seems great.”
Ryan put his arm around her. “She is great. Best thing that ever happened to my father.”
“They seemed happy to see you, to spend more time with you.”
“I know. I told my dad I’ll be back soon. We’ll hang out again, maybe go play some golf.”
“You play golf?” Barbi didn’t know that about him.
He laughed. “Poorly. But my dad loves it and it is fun. I’m sure I’ll get better if I play more often.”
“I can’t believe you’re leaving tomorrow. It feels like you just got here.”
“I know. I wish I could stay. I’m going to miss you.”
His words made her heart jump and took her by surprise.
“You will?”
“I will.” He pulled her in tighter and kissed her, and she wrapped her arms around him and pulled him close for one last quick kiss.
“I’m going to turn in, I think,” she said.
He pulled her in for a final, long kiss and then smiled. “See you in the morning.”
* * *
Barbi woke the next morning feeling more tired than usual and a bit disoriented. She stretched and then got up and padded into the kitchen. It was early, just five thirty but she knew Ryan had an early flight.
“Morning,” she said when she saw him. He was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking coffee and checking messages on his phone.
He stood up and smiled. “Hey, there. I didn’t want to wake you up. I have to leave in a few minutes.”
He walked over to her and pulled her in for a hug. “I don’t want to go. I wish I could stay.”
“I wish you could, too.”
“I’ll be back the weekend after next. Once the Chicago show is done.”
“Okay.” She still wasn’t thrilled about him staying with Sophia. She didn’t trust her.
He leaned in and kissed her again. “I’ll be back before you know it.”
After Ryan left, Barbi curled up on the living room sofa, wrapped tight in the fleece throw. Oscar and Felix seemed to sense her sad mood and both of them snuggled up with her, Oscar by her side and Felix at her feet. She was grateful for their company. It was going to be a long two weeks until she saw Ryan again.
Chapter 31
The Monday before Ryan was due to come home again, Barbi had the night off and agreed to meet Lily for a drink at Figs. She was able to walk from Ryan’s house and got there a few minutes before Lily arrived. It was early still and not too crowded, so there were still a few open seats at the bar. She settled into one and ordered a glass of chardonnay while she waited for Lily. She arrived five minutes later and slid into the seat next to her.
“I’ll have a Black Russian,” she told the bartender when he came by for her order.
Barbi raised her eyebrows at that. She’d never seen Lily order that drink before.
“I’m on a Kahlua kick. It’s good,” she said as the bartender set her drink down.
“So, are you okay?” Lily asked.
Something about her tone gave Barbi goose bumps.
“What do you mean?”
Lily was quiet for a moment. “You haven’t seen any of the tabloids this week?”
“No. Why?”
“Oh.” Lily took a sip of her drink, and then reach
ed into her tote bag and pulled out the most recent copy of People magazine. “I thought for sure that you must have seen this.” She passed her the magazine that was open to a two-page spread with pictures of Ryan and Sophia. They were coming out of her Chicago condo, going to a black tie event, and most damning of all, kissing in front of her building.
“I’m sorry. I assumed that you’d seen these.”
“No, I hadn’t.” The pictures were terrible. She hated seeing the two of them together. But did it mean they were back together? He’d told her to trust him.
“Maybe it’s not as bad as it seems.”
Lily shook her head. “I love you. You know that. But you have to admit, this doesn’t look good. Especially this picture.” She pointed to the one of them kissing, and Barbi had to agree. It didn’t look good. She felt her eyes well up. She knew that Sophia was after Ryan, but she had believed him when he told her to trust him. But Sophia was beautiful. He might not have been able to resist. The thought of him kissing her after what they’d shared made her feel physically sick. She needed to go.
“Do you mind if I call it a night? I’m not feeling great all of a sudden.”
Lily leaned over and gave her a hug. “Of course. I’m sorry if I upset you. I was just worried for you.”
“I know, and I love you for it.” Barbi threw some money down for her drink and then walked home. The cats came to greet her and she gathered both of them to her as she curled up on the sofa and tried not to cry.
Chapter 32
Ryan couldn’t understand why Barbi wasn’t returning his calls. He’d left several messages. But then his father called him and in the frostiest tone he’d heard in years asked him what was the matter with him and was People magazine telling the truth? He told his father he’d call him back and went down to the corner store and bought a copy of the magazine. When he saw the pictures, he understood why Barbi hadn’t called him back and why his father was so upset. He should have listened to his gut. He’d had a sinking feeling all along that staying with Sophia was a bad idea. But he’d been eager for the publicity her show would give his restaurants. He sighed. He wouldn’t make that mistake again.
Charming Chef (River's End Ranch Book 7) Page 9