by Jamie Beck
Colby had battled the butterflies of excited anticipation all afternoon. The renewed flutter in her stomach, however, had nothing to do with the soft opening and everything to do with the man in front of her. The bewildering man who’d reawakened feelings she’d rather lie dormant.
Earlier this week she’d said there was no such thing as a perfect man, and she still believed it. But Alec had worked tirelessly to help make her dream a reality, and that actually made him pretty close to perfect.
“Our hostess is named Becca, and I only need a minute of your time.” She opened her desk drawer and withdrew the gift-wrapped package she hoped he’d appreciate.
Alec’s chin jerked back. “What’s that?”
Colby circled her desk and handed him the token gift. “Something to mark the occasion.”
Her mouth watered when she caught a slight whiff of shallots and thyme. Edible Alec. If only he weren’t so volatile and she so brittle. If he weren’t her employee. Or the old friend whose family still blamed her for their son’s death. In no universe did this risky attraction make sense. Yet it had blossomed steadily despite every attempt to weed it out.
“Thank you.” Alec’s fingertips turned white where they gripped the box. After staring at the gift as if it were an alien, he cleared his throat and teased, “This box looks too big to be a phone charger. Should I open it now?”
“Sure.” She smiled, forcing aside her wistful musings.
Alec unwrapped the package with the same careful attention he gave the most intricate dish. His eyes widened when he saw the silver-framed photograph Gentry had taken of them at Hunter’s the other week.
“I thought it might make your apartment feel more homey.” As soon as the words left her mouth, she felt shy and presumptuous—as if she somehow represented home.
Alec’s straight brows pinched together while he fingered the image. “I didn’t get you anything.”
“I didn’t expect it, Alec. This idea just came to me when Gentry sent me all the photos.” Colby shrugged.
“I love it.” The corners of his eyes crinkled above his gentle grin. Then he surprised her by reaching for her. Colby’s heart turned over, unsure of whether or not she wanted him to kiss her. It then sank when he pressed his lips to her forehead instead of her mouth. He lingered there a moment—a tender point of contact she savored—before backing up. “I’m sorry I’m not as thoughtful as you.”
Sensing the need for a joke, she teased him, saying, “I set a high bar, so don’t beat yourself up.”
He chuckled. “Is it okay if I leave this in here until the end of the night?”
“Of course. Speaking of the night, how do you feel?”
“Eager.” He lifted his chin, but the harsh lines of his face only proved him to be tense.
“Me, too, but you seem anxious.”
“Determined.” Any momentary softness he’d revealed had fled as he turned his thoughts back to business. “You need to pay attention to what people are eating, what they’re pushing aside. Listen to what they say to each other, not what they say to you.”
“Got it.”
“I know your family and friends will be a distraction, but stay attuned to the rhythm of the room. Make sure the waitstaff is attentive to every detail. Otherwise, we’ll be going into the grand opening with weak information.”
“Yes, sergeant.”
“It’s important, Colby.” He pinched the bridge of his nose. “This requires perfection from everyone, including you. It may only be a dress rehearsal, but it’s still our first impression. Everyone who comes tonight will leave here and talk to their friends.”
“I understand, but everyone coming tonight wants us to succeed. They’ll be forgiving of little errors.” Colby wished his emphasis on awards wouldn’t eclipse his perspective.
“That doesn’t mean we can slack off.” The force of his voice caused her to step back. He must’ve noticed her reaction, because he attempted a joke. “This is where you could say something encouraging like ‘Everything you make is perfect, Alec, so I don’t expect any complaints.’”
“And inflate your oversize ego?” She poked his shoulder.
He captured her hand and squeezed gently before letting go. “I’d better get back to the kitchen.”
“Yes, do that.” She shooed him off before his nervous energy sapped her stamina.
He set the photo on her desk, momentarily lapsing back to being her friend instead of her chef. “I’ll treasure this.”
His expression then grew fiercely determined before he left her office. Silently, she sent up a prayer for the kitchen staff. Sitting against the edge of her desk, she then lifted the frame. She’d ended up with dozens of pictures of Alec throughout the years, in some combination with Mark, Joe, or Hunter.
She and Alec hadn’t spent time alone since high school, although she’d been in his company with Hunter on occasion since he’d returned from France.
Now she wondered about him. What made him such a perfectionist? What did he want, aside from professional recognition? Mundane questions rattled around her head, too. What did he read? Did he have a favorite movie? Aside from Colette, had he ever been in love?
Not that answers to her questions would reveal more about him than his actions did.
Mark’s emotions had come in tidal waves. Easy to spot, larger than life, chaotically crashing around him. Alec’s were more like a geyser, hidden away with his secret thoughts beneath a deceptive surface until the boiling point caused them to surge upward. Different from Mark, yet equally disquieting. Enough so that she should resist temptation and ignore the whisper in her heart.
Setting the photo down, she straightened her skirt and went to the reception desk to speak with Becca about the seating chart.
Gentry breezed through the door with a man Colby assumed was Jake, the infamous “hot dog guy.” An emerald-green off-the-shoulder minidress hugged Gentry’s curves. Her spiky rhinestone shoes made her an even height with her date, whose faded blue jeans sagged on his hips. His collarless black shirt did little to upgrade his attire. He wore a leather-and-silver chain bracelet on one arm, a silver ring on the opposite hand, and a thick, small hoop earring in one ear.
Colby couldn’t tell whether he’d forgotten to shower, or if this particular disheveled look was intentional. He definitely could use a shave. The black stubble was too long to be considered sexy, yet far too sparse to be a proper beard. Beneath it all, Colby acknowledged the appeal of his strong, sharp features and coal-black eyes.
“I sacrificed making a grand entrance to come early and help.” Gentry smiled and kissed Colby’s cheek. “This is Jake.”
Colby shook Jake’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Jake. Welcome to A CertainTea.”
“Thanks.” No “you, too” or other remark. His blank expression offered no hint of personality. Of course, an empty look probably came in handy at times. Maybe he’d give her a lesson. She’d about given up on the idea he’d say more when he added, “Tight digs.”
When Gentry shot her a cockeyed look, it clicked. Jake’s “dude ’tude” and appearance would piss off their dad.
“We’re serving drinks in the bar until everyone has arrived,” Colby said.
“Cool.” Jake grabbed Gentry’s hand to go, but she jerked free.
“Go ahead, I’ll catch up.”
He ambled over to the bar and ordered himself a beer.
“What do you think?” Gentry asked in a way that told Colby she expected pushback.
Only someone so young and pampered would waste time on games. Games Colby had no interest in playing. Her gaze slid over to Jake, whose raven locks glinted underneath the lights at the bar. Poor guy had no idea her sister might be using him to send a message to her family. Then again, as Hunter had pointed out the other week, Jake was probably using Gentry, too. “I’d kill for his hair.”
Gentry giggled. “It is pretty awesome.”
Colby couldn’t remember ever acting as young as her sister. “Go
be with your date. You’re off the clock tonight.”
“Have you checked our Facebook and Instagram pages?” Gentry stalled. “They’re getting nice engagement. I’ll post pictures tonight, too. How are reservations for the opening shaping up?”
“They’re coming in.” Colby smiled because Gentry had become invested in this job, after all. She’d have to give her sister a little more responsibility to keep her motivated. “You’re doing a great job.”
“Don’t sound so shocked.” Gentry crossed her arms. “When the newspaper interview comes out on Sunday, you should get lots of interest.”
Colby recoiled from the memory of Melissa’s shifty eyes. “That reporter was extremely insensitive about Joe and Mark. Honestly, I don’t think any of that should’ve been part of the discussion.”
“Sorry, but giving a personal angle helped pique her interest in doing a story. Voyeurism sells. Look at the Kardashians.” Gentry patted Colby’s shoulder. “It worked. Now we’re getting free publicity in a major paper.”
“At a personal cost to Alec and me. I’m not interested in being like a Kardashian.” Colby practically shivered at the comparison. “Next time, let’s not do that.”
“Okay.” Gentry shrugged, dismissive of the wounds she’d probed.
Colby realized her pampered sister had no clue about that kind of pain.
“Guess I’ll go hang with Jake.”
Colby did a last-minute sweep of the dining room, spoke with the waitstaff captain, tended to the floral arrangements and, when no one was looking, shook her hands out to dispel her nerves.
“There’s my baby!” Her mom’s voice rang out from the hostess station, where she stood proudly wearing the bias-cut black silk dress Colby had bought her for the occasion. Chunky turquoise jewelry added a bit of flair to the ensemble and set off her eyes.
Beside her stood a barrel-chested blond man who bore no resemblance to how Colby had imagined Richard. His cherubic face looked younger than her mom’s. Like Jake, he sported an earring, but his shirt had a collar, and he wore a linen blazer.
“Mom, thanks for coming.” Colby kissed her hello.
“I wouldn’t miss it.” She beamed. “Dear, this is Richard.”
His warm, topaz eyes sparkled. Quite dashing for a man of his age. Perhaps her mom meant to prove something to Colby’s dad and Jenna by bringing him. Colby then chastised herself for suspecting everyone had hidden agendas. Maybe her mom and Richard actually liked each other, despite having met under false pretenses.
“Welcome, Richard. It’s nice to finally meet you.” Colby shook his hand. “I hope you enjoy the evening.”
“How could I not when I have such wonderful company?” He squeezed her mother’s shoulder, earning her wide smile. Then he looked at Colby. “You two look like sisters. She’s very proud of you, you know.”
“Thank you.” Colby looked like her father, but she appreciated Richard’s attempt to flatter her mom’s youthful mien.
“Isn’t he a darling man? I’m getting smarter, aren’t I?” Her mom beamed. “Speaking of your father, seems that he’s late.”
“You’re early,” Colby replied.
“I’m eager to support you and Alec.” Her mother’s face lit. “Did he tell you about our little rendezvous last night?”
“No.” Alec and her mother had another rendezvous?
“Stitch had sneaked off on a walkabout. Alec found him half a mile from my house around ten. When he brought him to me, he visited for a while. So interesting to hear all about that commune. I think I might like to try that one day.”
Commune? Is that where he’d vanished to last year? “Why’d he tell you about that?”
Colby didn’t like that her mom knew something about Alec that she didn’t. And she really didn’t like how much that bothered her.
“I asked him where he’d been, and then I had so many questions. He went on and on about the small community in Virginia. Even passed on some gardening tips. Wait until next year!” Her mother smiled and thrust her thumb toward Richard. “Between this one and Alec, life’s been a whole lot more interesting lately.”
Richard said something to her mother, but Colby’s attention had turned toward Alec. Perhaps I can help you fill that so-called black hole of neediness, he’d said. Two baked goods and one cat delivery later, Colby had realized something wonderful about him. He did kind things for the sake of doing them, without showboating. In that way, they had something in common.
“Will your brother be sitting with Richard and me?” Her mother interrupted her thoughts with that unnecessary question. As if Colby would ever seat Hunter with Jenna when any other option existed.
“Yes, I put him and Sara with you. Why don’t you go to the bar and have a cocktail?”
Her mom noted Gentry and Jake in the bar area and adjusted her dress. “I see your sister has a new man. She runs through them like paper towels.”
“Leslie, let’s let your daughter get back to work.” Richard winked at Colby, who smiled appreciatively at his attempt to distract her mother from more nitpicking. “What would you like to drink?”
“A fancy champagne cocktail, please.” She squeezed Colby’s hand. “See you later.”
Within thirty minutes almost everyone had arrived, including Mrs. Morgan with three friends in tow. Colby hadn’t seen her up close in a while. She looked about the same as Colby remembered, but her eyes weren’t quite as merry. Hair styled in a neat bob. Dressed in an ecru A-line dress with cap sleeves. Reserved, like Alec. Of course, Colby had seen beneath Alec’s reserve.
“Mrs. Morgan, welcome.” Colby didn’t know whether to hug her or just offer her hand, so she ended up in an awkward kind of half embrace. “You must be so proud tonight.
“I am.” With a prim smile, she introduced her friends. After a few pleasantries, she said, “Alec didn’t exaggerate. This is a beautiful restaurant.”
“Thanks. We’re so lucky to have Alec in the kitchen. He’s like a fine wine, getting better with age.”
“I agree.” Mrs. Morgan smiled, and her eyes finally shone with some of their old merriment.
“I’m so glad you came.” Truthfully, Colby was grateful not to be confronted by Mr. Morgan’s glare tonight, until she stopped to consider Alec’s feelings. Being ignored by his father must sting, no matter how much he pretended it didn’t. Did that buried disappointment drive him? Was it what fed his temper? That possibility planted a thorny ache in her chest. “My mother’s in the bar if you’d like to say hello.”
If Mrs. Morgan didn’t want to, she faked it pretty well. “Who’s the gentleman friend?”
“Richard.” Colby considered mentioning the Snickers lie, but why inflame her mother’s already ridiculous reputation? There shouldn’t be any reason for Snickers to come up tonight. Let sleeping dogs lie. Colby chuckled to herself at that thought. “Enjoy the night.”
Colby’s father and Jenna had arrived while she’d been speaking with Alec’s mom. Her dad leveled a cool look at Jake over the rim of his champagne glass. Shoot. Seating Gentry with him might’ve been a mistake.
Meanwhile, Hunter had been only marginally happier to sit with their mom and Richard. He’d scoffed when Colby had “reminded” him not to forget about their dearly departed dog. Sara, thankfully, smiled and promised to make him put down his phone and converse. A reprimand Alec would never require, she thought with a grin.
Todd breezed through the door with Jacqui, Craig, and John, some of Colby’s former colleagues, carrying a bouquet of pink and white roses. He kissed her cheek. “Congratulations.”
“These are beautiful. Thank you.” Thoughtful, sweet, candid, steady. Apparently, these traits alone were not enough to make her heart patter. “Thank you all for coming.”
“We wouldn’t miss it.” Todd smiled. Tonight’s bow tie featured a turquoise background littered with tiny snails. She’d hand him this much: he wore it well.
“Becca will seat you, and I’ll catch up with you a little later.
” She left the group with the hostess and went to put the flowers in water. Most women loved roses. Colby favored less formal flowers, like the tulips Alec had given her a few weeks ago.
She returned to the dining area to observe the waitstaff as each took dinner orders and delivered starter plates with items like Poached Marrons on a Crab Pillow with Truffle Emulsion, and Warm Artichoke Panaché with Vegetable Risotto with Lemon Emulsion. Watching them in action—moving in unison in intricate patterns—made her think of an old-fashioned quadrille. So far, no missteps. Her attention, however, lapsed when her father cornered her on his way back from the restroom.
“Things are going well, honey. I’m proud of you.”
“Thanks. I’m cautiously optimistic.”
“I know it hasn’t been easy for you with Alec.” He gently rubbed her back, blessedly unaware of the complicated ways Alec affected Colby. “I see Julie Morgan came without Frank.”
“I assume he didn’t want to see me.”
“It’s not your fault.” Her father kissed her temple.
“I know, but he’s still grieving over Joe. He needs someone to blame, and I’m the only one left. I only wish Alec got some support from his father.”
“You can’t fix everything for everyone. Focus on your own goals.” She must’ve frowned again, because he waved a hand. “Let’s change the subject. How’s Gentry working out? Is she pulling her weight or just wasting time like she is with this Jake?”
“She’s helping.” Colby glanced over her dad’s shoulder to watch the floor. “Really, Dad. She is. Go easy on Jake. I think she’s using him to get to you and Jenna.”
“Why the hell does she want to needle me? I give her everything.” He scowled. “She should kiss my damn feet.”
“If she lacks perspective, maybe her life’s been too easy. Don’t be mad at her for that.” Colby struggled to see beyond her dad’s tall frame.