“Shit, effective, I guess!” Riley replied dryly.
“Worked like a charm!” Helen laughed from the other side of the great room. “Although maybe we need to reinstitute it; you’ve been swearing a lot more lately, miss!”
“I think not. Here, make yourself useful and open some champagne!” Kate replied.
“Ooh, that’s better. I think I’m thawed out!” Joanna declared as she and Helen sat at the island bar.
“Let’s toast to Andrea and Josh. I still can’t believe you two pulled that off and kept it from me!” Kate said, pretending to be annoyed.
“Oh, darling, we wanted it to be a surprise. When Josh called me on Tuesday and said he was going to propose, we got the idea and got him on the red-eye today. Frankly we weren’t sure if the guy at NYA was going to come through; he said he would change the sign for thirty minutes but he had to be there to do it. To Andrea and Josh!” Helen said as the women raised their glasses.
Riley and Kate busied themselves in the kitchen, Kate making her famous quiche and Riley making preparations for the dinner.
“So, Riley, what’s on the menu today?” Joanna inquired. “I’m still trying to figure out what you’re going to do with all that stuff.”
“Well, let’s see, for starters I thought I’d make a beet and gorgonzola salad with spring greens, a balsamic glaze dressing, and candied walnuts. Then the roast turkey with sausage and apple sage dressing, maple bacon sweet potatoes, a green bean and pine nut casserole, roasted fingerling potatoes with a carrot and parsnip puree, and since Kate and Helen have the pecan pie, I was going to round it all off with a killer chocolate martini! How does that sound?” Riley asked. “I can change anything you don’t like.”
“Riley, that sounds amazing and if it’s anything like those appetizers you made, it will taste like it sounds!” Helen smiled.
“Mmm, I can’t wait. It sounds delicious. Do we have enough for seven or do you need me to get anything, Riley?” Joanna asked.
“Nope, we’re golden, plenty for all!” Riley grinned, pulling a baking sheet of nuts out of the oven and putting it on the counter to cool.
“And Kate makes the best quiche, wait till you try it!” Helen said, taking another sip of her champagne.
“Mmm, they smell great, Riley! What are they?” Joanna asked, motioning toward the nuts on the baking sheet.
“Candied walnuts, for the salad.” Riley replied.
“Oh, God, these are great!” Joanna said, taking a nut off the tray and eating it before she found the bottle of opened champagne in the fridge to fill everyone’s glass. She put the bottle back in the fridge and went to reach for another of the sweet nuts, but Riley smacked the back of her hand.
“No, they’re for the salad!” Riley said sternly.
“Oh, just one more?” Joanna tried to reason.
“No, and out of the kitchen!” Riley directed with raised eyebrows and a smile.
“You tell her, Riley!” Helen chimed in. “Oh, yes, quiche is ready!”
The four women sat at the island bar eating Kate’s quiche and fresh fruit while they chatted about the morning and passed around Helen’s phone with the video of the happy moment.
“You should text that to Andrea, you know she’s on the phone telling everyone. I’m sure she will want to share it, it’s just wonderful!” Kate said, smiling at the screen with glassy eyes as she watched Josh’s proposal again.
“Are you kidding? They’re probably fuck…” Riley stopped mid-sentence and checked what was coming out of her mouth. “Yes, you should send it to her. God, Kate, this quiche is the best I’ve ever had. You have to give me the recipe!” she said, hoping her prior blurt hadn’t been noticed too much.
“Hmm, I think that swear jar might be a good idea,” Joanna said dryly, looking at Riley who was blushing furiously.
“Sorry!” Riley said, finishing her quiche. “Kate, this is great though, I really do want the recipe, unless it’s a family secret?”
“Thanks, Riley, no, and it’s really easy, I’ll give it to you.” Kate laughed, getting up and taking everyone’s plate.
* * *
“Mmm, something smells wonderful,” Derrick Armstrong acknowledged, walking through the door of Joanna’s apartment a couple of hours later.
“Hi, dad,” Joanna said, kissing him on the cheek and relieving him of the bottles of wine in his arms. “Don’t worry, I’m not cooking, Riley here is in charge!” she added, smiling.
“Hello, young lady, how has your week been and what are you conjuring up in there?” Derrick asked as he rounded the kitchen island and embraced Riley.
“Fabulous. I don’t think we’ve stopped since I got here and the parade this morning was great!” Riley grinned back.
“Ah, and there they are, the happy couple. Congratulations!” Derrick said, seeing Andrea and her new fiancé come in.
“Thanks, Dr. Armstrong. This is Josh. Josh, this is Joanna’s dad,” Andrea said as she introduced Josh.
“Josh, Joanna tells me you’re going to intern with Dr. Nassar at UCLA?” Derrick asked, shaking Josh’s hand.
“Yes, sir, emergency medicine, I start in January,” Josh replied.
“Well, he’s a good guy, really innovative, but tough, made Joanna’s life hell for the better part of eighteen months, wasn’t it, darling?” he directed at his daughter.
“Oh, he’s not that bad; don’t scare the poor boy, dad. ER is a tough internship, but you couldn’t have a better chief than Jim,” Joanna acknowledged.
“Thank you for the video, Helen. My mom and sister went nuts, it’s all over Facebook. People haven’t stopped calling us. I still can’t quite believe it and the news showed up, they said it would be on at five!” Andrea gushed.
During the introductions Kate was busy delivering champagne to everyone. “Okay, now that you’re here, we cracked open the good stuff!” she said, smiling and handing Andrea and Josh a glass.
“Okay, a toast to the happy couple!” Kate announced, tapping her glass with a spoon. “A wise man once said, ‘love is patient and love is kind,’ or it could have been Mary Lambert, I’m not sure!” Kate grinned. “But what I do know is that if you practice patience and kindness, love will thrive, love never gives up, and love never loses faith. To Josh and Andrea!”
“To Josh and Andrea!” the room toasted in unison.
“Very nice, darling!” Helen smiled.
Riley was suddenly overcome with emotions; she didn’t know why, but a lump stuck in her throat and tears started to pool in her eyes. She made herself busy in the kitchen, her back turned to the room so she could try to hide her sudden distress.
Joanna hadn’t missed Riley getting upset, especially since she couldn’t keep her eyes from her for more than a couple of minutes at a time.
Riley felt Joanna’s hands on her shoulders as she stirred the gravy on the stove. “Hey, you okay?” she said softly.
“Yeah, absolutely, sorry, I dunno what…” Riley’s stammering was interrupted by her cell ringing in her pocket. She pulled it out and the screen read ‘Call from Virginia Carrington.’
“Shit, great timing as usual, mom,” Riley said under her breath as she put the cell phone back in her pocket.
“Take it, I’ve got this,” Joanna said evenly. “It’s your mother, it’s Thanksgiving.” “Fuck!” Riley said before she hit the button on the phone. “Hi, mom,” Riley answered in a cold tone.
“No, my birthday was yesterday. No, I’m in New York. A work trip, no, yes.” Riley was beginning to get irritated and started pacing the back of the kitchen. “Mom, hold on, okay? Joanna, do you mind stirring the gravy? I just need to go outside and talk to her.”
“Of course, Riley, go!” Joanna replied, taking up the spoon and stirring as she watched Riley head out onto the deck of the penthouse.
“What’s up?” Helen said to her friend as she motioned to the deck where Riley was obviously irritated, pacing and gesturing with her arms.
“Her mom;
there’s some bad blood there, I think. She didn’t even know Riley is in New York or that it was her birthday yesterday. She thought it was today,” Joanna answered, concerned. “Can you watch this? I’m going to take her a jacket.”
“Uh, Kate?” Helen said, not wanting to take possession of the spoon.
Joanna got outside just as Riley had hung up with her mother. She was obviously upset. Tears pooled in her eyes as she continued to pace.
Joanna slipped a jacket around her shoulders and handed her a glass of red wine, which she downed in a few swift gulps.
“Hey, easy, what has you so upset?” Joanna asked softly.
“God, she’s infuriating. She doesn’t talk to me for six months now she’s giving me a guilt trip about being here without her knowing. Not that she cared before but I’m sure it has something to do with that fucking Valerie Martin!”
So that’s the client Rae was talking about, Joanna thought to herself.
Riley took a deep breath. “God, I’m sorry, Joanna, this has been an excellent day and I’m not going to let my damn mother ruin it!” she declared.
“Just take a minute, okay? Everything is under control in the kitchen, thanks to you!” Joanna smiled warmly. “When you’re ready.”
Back inside the kitchen, Joanna went back to relieve Kate.
“She okay?” Helen inquired.
“Yeah, I think so, but her mother is hanging out with Valerie Martin today. Apparently they’re quite good friends,” Joanna replied.
“Our client Valerie Martin?” Helen asked, surprised.
“Yes, and she’s got Riley’s mother all fired up about the fact that Riley is here and she didn’t know about it,” Joanna stated.
Riley had calmed down and was observing everyone through the large glass sliders inside. She dismissed the thought of her mother, determined to enjoy the day, seeing the happy faces inside. Riley’s heart felt light again as she made her way back inside to the kitchen.
“Like this, otherwise you’ll get lumps in the gravy,” Riley admonished quietly as she came up behind Joanna at the stove and put her hand around Joanna’s hand whisking the gravy.
Joanna just smiled, letting Riley guide her hand around the gravy pan.
“Oh, this is good,” Kate whispered to Helen, motioning to Riley and Joanna in the kitchen. “Corny, but good; you can’t write this stuff!” She smiled.
Helen chuckled. “God, I wish it weren’t so complicated!”
“Are we ready to eat?” Joanna asked the room a few minutes later. “The chef informs me the food is ready!”
Joanna ushered everyone to the table and the group sat down to eat. During the next hour they talked, drank wine, and ate enthusiastically at Joanna’s elegant table.
“Everything is just delicious, Riley!” Derrick Armstrong complimented.
“Yes, and I’m going to need your stuffing recipe, Riley,” Andrea said, scooping another spoonful on her plate.
Hours later after pie and chocolate martinis, they sat in Joanna’s living room watching the news for the segment on Andrea and Josh’s engagement, which didn’t disappoint.
“That was wonderful. I will try to get a copy. I know the station manager and she should be able to hook us up!” Helen announced.
“Anyone want coffee?” Joanna asked.
“No, but I wouldn’t mind another one of those delicious martinis!” Derrick Armstrong declared.
“Coming right up!” Riley replied, jumping up. “Who wants one?”
“Me!” Kate said immediately.
“No, thank you, everything was wonderful but I think we are going to head off. And thank you again for everything today; it couldn’t have been any better!” Andrea gushed as she and Josh said their goodbyes.
“See you back in LA, Riley, dinner was fantastic; what are you doing at Christmas?” Josh said with a wink.
“See you guys, congratulations again!” Riley replied, hugging them both warmly.
The four women and Derrick Armstrong sat sipping the martinis Riley had concocted.
“So how did you learn to cook like that, Riley? Dinner really was exquisite!” Derrick asked, smiling.
“My friends Rae and Tracy have a restaurant. I worked for them when I was in grad school for a couple of years. Tracy is a fantastic chef,” Riley replied, grinning at the compliment.
“Well, Joanna here never really took to the kitchen, did you, darling?” Derrick said, smiling in his daughter’s direction. Joanna just feigned a frown in response.
“Not that her mother and I didn’t encourage her, mind you; remember that Easy-Bake Oven we bought you for Christmas that year?”
“Oh, I love this story!” Kate grinned as Joanna rolled her eyes.
“Joanna was nine and apparently it wasn’t at all what she wanted, so she made it known to us by throwing the thing out of the apartment’s second-story window!”
“Yes, and if I remember, you gave me a good thrashing in front of old Mrs. Jenkins!” Joanna replied, frowning. “On Christmas Day!”
“Well, you couldn’t blame me, darling, the damn thing exploded on the sidewalk in a million pieces in front of her. You practically gave the poor woman a heart attack!” Derrick chuckled.
Riley, Helen, and Kate howled with laughter while Joanna just grinned shaking her head.
“Let me tell you, Riley, these two were little hellions when they were younger!” Derrick said, pointing at Helen and Joanna. “I could tell you a few stories about some of their antics!”
Joanna’s phone rang. “Dad, your taxi is here,” Joanna said, hanging up the phone.
“Saved by the bell!” Helen added, grinning.
Derrick Armstrong looked at his watch. “Wow, eight o’clock already! Where did the day go?”
Derrick hugged and kissed the women goodbye. “Maybe I’ll see you at Christmas, Riley. Joanna’s mother and I will be in LA, and dinner again, just wonderful!”
“Thank you, Dr. Armstrong, it was very nice to meet you!” Riley replied, hugging him warmly.
“Joanna, walk me to the elevator,” Derrick said, collecting his overcoat as Joanna followed him out the door.
“Joanna, it was a lovely day. I haven’t seen you this happy in a long time. Riley…?” Derrick questioned.
“Is my employee!” Joanna dismissed.
“Well, she’s charming and you two certainly look good together!” he said, smiling.
“Night, dad!” Joanna said.
Joanna came back into the apartment where Riley and Helen were talking while Kate dozed on the couch.
“I should get this one home,” Helen said, pointing at Kate. “I think that last martini did her in. You still up for some tennis tomorrow, Riley?”
“Yes, absolutely,” Riley replied, hugging her goodnight before Helen woke her snoozing girlfriend.
“Night, Jo, really fabulous day!” Helen said, kissing Joanna on the cheek.
“Night,” Kate said, sleepily hugging Riley and Joanna.
After Helen and Kate had left, Riley took that as her cue to leave also.
“Thank you for a wonderful day, Joanna.” Riley started.
“Riley, stay a while and let’s talk, unless you want to go, of course?” Joanna asked.
“No, I would like that!” Riley smiled.
“Little more wine or you want something stronger?”
“No, wine’s great, thank you,” Riley replied as Joanna poured them each a glass.
Joanna threw a couple of pillows from the couch onto the floor and sat down on one of them in front of the fire. She patted the other one and Riley sat down next to her, leaning up against the couch.
“It’s been a fantastic week, Joanna, and today was wonderful,” Riley said, taking a sip of her wine as she stared at the flames dancing in the fireplace.
“So what had you so upset earlier, I mean before your mother called?” Joanna replied, looking at Riley.
“I don’t know. I just don’t remember doing this with my family, I guess I
was a little overwhelmed but in a good way,” Riley mused. “And that was cool with Andrea and Josh, they were so happy.”
“Yes, they were,” Joanna agreed. “So what about you, Riley, tell me what makes you happy?” Joanna asked.
“I don’t know, how do you mean?” Riley replied sheepishly.
“Just tell me some things you like, things that make you happy,” Joanna smiled.
“God, I don’t know, let me see. I guess running along the beach at sunrise makes me happy. Um, being the first off the chairlift and skiing on fresh powder, that’s awesome!” She grinned. “Riding my motorcycle up the coast and puppies, puppies definitely make me happy!” She laughed, then got serious again as she looked into Joanna’s green eyes, seeing the reflection of the flames in the dimmed lighting. “Today, this week, has made me happy, thank you,” she said softly.
“So what about you, Joanna, what makes you happy?” Riley asked, leaning back against the couch and propping her chin in her hand, her eyes locked with Joanna’s.
“That’s easy,” Joanna replied, smiling. “Controlling my own destiny!”
Riley looked at Joanna with a smirk on her face. “Ah, of course, being in charge, and do you control your destiny with your head or your heart, Ms. Armstrong?”
Joanna considered Riley’s question. “You want to know what makes me happy? Good food, good wine, and good company. Today was wonderful,” Joanna said as Riley looked down into her wineglass with a smile. Joanna reached forward and tucked a strand of stray hair behind Riley’s ear. “You make me happy, Riley.”
Chapter Eleven
Riley’s stomach was still doing flips the next morning when she met Helen in the lobby. Joanna’s words replayed in her head and although nothing had happened, she was sure they had made a connection. Helen led Riley to a sleek black Jaguar in the parking garage.
Reining in Riley Page 12