“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.
Finally, the condo is empty, Holly is too far away, picking up dishes at the table. “Put it back down. You get a gold star for everything you did today. Professionals will come in and clean tomorrow morning, you deserve it. Even if I wasn’t happy with all those smiles and Italian whispering you and Bracco shared.”
Smiling, she walks toward me, her arms go around my waist. “I may have been smiling at him but I was always thinking of you. As for the Italian, it was sharing memories of Genoa peppered with what a wonderful firm you’re a part of, and how intelligent they were to make you a partner so young.”