Chasing Stanley (24 page)

“But what if there's an emergency?”

“You've got a cell.”

That was true. She did have a cell, and it would only be a few hours. She looked at her three dogs. They'd behave for Eric, no problem. But there was no telling how her boarders would react. “I'll do it on one condition,” she said.

The brothers exchanged glances. “What's that?”

“Eric has to come and hang out beforehand with the animals so they know him.”

“Done,” Jason answered. He shot his brother a piercing look. “I'll hang out, too,” he added.

It took only a few seconds for the first tentacles of anxiety to begin winding themselves around Delilah. “You swear it will only be a few hours?” she asked Jason.

“Deep breath time,” Jason murmured to her under his breath as he wrapped an arm around her shoulder. “You can do this. They're nice people. We're just going to eat and talk. The end.”

“I'm not good at talking to people.”

Jason rubbed her shoulder. “You talk to people all the time.”

“I mean in groups,” Delilah clarified, growing more nervous. “I suck at talking to people in groups.”

“Pretend they're dogs,” Eric suggested. Was he making fun of her? Apparently not, if his helpful expression was any indication.

“It'll be three hours, max, Delilah,” Jason repeated. “Anything's doable for three hours.”

Delilah's eye caught Eric's.
Do it,
he mouthed, nodding with encouragement. Delilah turned to look at Jason. How could she deny him something so simple? So intrinsic to a relationship?

“All right. Eric can watch the dogs, and we'll go to dinner with your friends.”

“Yess!!” Jason squeezed her tight. “They're gonna love you, Delilah. I just know it.”

 

 

Delilah was intrigued
when Jason announced they'd be dining at an Italian restaurant in Bensonhurst, co-owned by his team captain, that had somewhat of a cult status among the Blades. Jason spoke of it with the religious intensity of one about to embark on a pilgrimage, fanning the flames of Delilah's anxiety even more. Was she worthy of a visit to the shrine?

Pathetically, she'd allowed Marcus to dress her. The results were simple but tasteful. Marcus had tried to push funky on her, but Delilah was adamant: if ever there was a woman who couldn't pull off funky, it was she. She did allow him to prevail on the issue of makeup, however, putting on one coat of mascara, a little blush and some clear gloss on her lips. It was hard to admit, but all these years her mother had been right: a little makeup did seem to brighten up her pallor, though she still could see no reason to wear any in her day-to-day life with the dogs.

Her hand was soldered to Jason's as they entered Dante's. The place was packed, which she took as a good sign. “Psst.” Jason nudged her, discreetly pointing to a handsome couple with two small children tucked away in a corner. “That's my team captain.”

Delilah followed his gaze. The man was good-looking, and the woman, hugely pregnant, was one of the most beautiful women Delilah had ever seen.

“Maybe we should say hi,” said Jason, beginning to pull her in their direction.

Delilah stilled him with a touch to the arm. “Let them eat their dinner in peace, Jason. You can always stop over when they're finishing up.”

“You're right.”

They were led to their table by a wizened waiter named Aldo. Delilah was thrilled to see they were the first to arrive. One of her fears had been that everyone else would be there before she and Jason, and she'd approach the table feeling like she were about to face a firing squad. At least this way, she could compose herself enough to appear relaxed when the others arrived.

They were seated and had just started to enjoy the Pellegrino they'd been served when a man in chef's whites emerged from the kitchen, his arm around a female cop's waist. Jason nudged her again. “That's the captain's brother, Anthony. He's the head chef here.”

Delilah studied Anthony. He was broadly built and handsome, and clearly smitten with the policewoman, whom he was escorting to the front of the restaurant. He actually looked forlorn as he kissed the woman good-bye and released her into the night, returning to the kitchen by way of his brother's table. The two shared a strong resemblance.

Just when Delilah thought she might indeed have a few minutes to calm herself down, Jason announced, “They're here.” She'd been disappointed when Jason told her Barry and Kelly Fontaine wouldn't be there; at least she vaguely knew Kelly Fontaine. The two couples approaching the table were total strangers. She reminded herself that she, too, was a stranger to them. She put down her glass and rose with Jason to greet them.

“Hey, guys.” Jason slid out from behind the table to warmly clasp hands with his teammates. He put an arm around Delilah, for which she was grateful, since the case of nerves she'd been hoping to quell was beginning to dominate. “I want you to meet Delilah.” He turned to her. “Delilah, I want you to meet David and Tierney”—an extremely good-looking couple smiled in Delilah's direction—“and Denny and”—Jason hesitated—“Suzie, is it?”

“Suze,” the small, freckled woman corrected.

“Rhymes with ooze,” Denny offered cheerfully. Suze didn't appear to appreciate the remark.

Everyone sat, and two bottles of wine were ordered for the table. The info Jason had given Delilah on the two other couples was starting to come back. David was the Blades new goalie, and his girlfriend had just moved to New York from Chicago to be with him. Denny was the backup goalie; Jason hadn't said anything about his girlfriend beyond her name. Delilah found herself flanked by Denny on the left. He seemed affable, and comfortable enough with the company at hand to devour half the bread basket before they'd even received their menus.

Delilah held up her menu in front of her like a shield, fretting over what to order. Should she get an appetizer? That would leave no room for dessert. She craved pasta, but if the other two women ate like sparrows, she'd look like a hog if she sucked up a plate of spaghetti. It didn't help that everything on the menu sounded wonderful.

Just when she thought her indecision couldn't get any worse, Anthony Dante appeared, pleasure lighting up his face as he recognized Jason and his teammates.

“Can't get enough of my brother, huh?” His voice was a deep, pleasant ripple. Coupled with his physique, which seemed as solid as any of the athletes seated at the table, Delilah imagined he could be incredibly intimidating. Her eyes brushed the simple gold wedding band on his left ring finger. The cop must have been his wife.

“Let me tell you about tonight's specials,” Anthony continued. Delilah had never been to a restaurant where the chef himself came out to relay the additions to the menu, but she could see from the proud look in his eyes that cooking was more than just a job for Anthony; it was his calling. “As an appetizer, we've got acquacotta, a hearty peasant soup made with cabbage and beans.”

“Nothing with beans for me,” Denny O'Malley chortled. “Not unless you want to clear the restaurant.”

Anthony politely ignored him, along with everyone else. “Additional entrées tonight are veal stew with sage, white wine, and cream; and eggplant patties lovingly made with garlic, fresh Parmesan, and parsley. We have some dessert specials as well, but I won't overwhelm you with them now.” He bowed deeply. “Aldo will be back shortly to take your orders.” He disappeared into the kitchen.

Five minutes later, Aldo appeared, their orders were taken, and the evening officially commenced. Delilah had been hoping she'd be able to fade into the background, nodding and smiling her way through the evening. Instead she found herself immediately in the spotlight.

“So, Jason says you walk dogs for a living,” said Denny, swiping another piece of bread from the basket.

“Yes,” said Delilah. “I run my own business, the Bed and Biscuit. I board them as well.”

Suze wrinkled her nose, moving the bread basket out of her boyfriend's reach. “Doesn't that get kind of stinky? Having dogs in your house?”

“No,” said Delilah.

“I'm not a big dog fan,” Suze continued. Delilah fought a knee-jerk reaction to instantly dislike her.

“I'm dying for a dog,” Tierney confessed with a sigh. “But someone doesn't want one right now.” She stared hard at David.

“Hey, don't make me out to be the bad guy here,” said David. “You yourself said you didn't know if you had the patience to train a puppy.”

“Delilah trains dogs, too,” said Jason. He turned to her. “Why don't you give them one of your cards, babe?”

Delilah shook her head frantically. “No—I don't think—”

“C'mon,” Jason urged. He turned to the table at large. “She trained my dog, Stanley, like that,” he confided, snapping his fingers. Delilah froze as he reached down beneath the table for her purse, extracting her business cards and passing them around the table. Delilah was mortified; she hated the idea of these people thinking Jason was shilling for her, trying to drum up business.

“Delilah Gould,” said Denny coolly. “Interesting name.”

“I'm definitely going to hang on to this,” said Tierney, tucking the card into her own purse. Her smile was friendly as she regarded Delilah across the table. “Are you enjoying going out with a hockey player?”

“Yes. I mean I never dated an athlete before so that's been new especially adjusting to his schedule and such and I don't like seeing him get hit on the ice but so far so good.”

Tierney nodded slowly as if she were not quite sure how to respond.
Shit
, Delilah thought with mounting panic. Babbling Brook was coming out of hiding. Delilah reached for her wineglass, practically chugging down the contents.
Speak slowly,
she told herself.
Small sentences. Slow.

She sat back and listened while Jason, Denny, and David talked hockey. She supposed when there was a break in the conversation she should ask something of Suze. Or Tierney. That was how it worked. People asked about you, and you asked back.

“So what do you do?” she blurted.

Momentary silence blanketed the table.

“Who, me?” Suze asked, looking confused.

Delilah nodded.

“She's a full-time pain in the ass,” Denny offered.

Suze's expression was deadpan. “Denny missed his calling as a comedian.” She turned back to Delilah. “I'm a nursery school teacher.”

“That must be fun. And you?” she said to Tierney.

“I was a concierge at a Chicago hotel. I'm looking for work right now.”

Delilah nodded woodenly, unsure of her next move. Had she messed this up? She probably should have asked Suze a follow-up question rather than turn to Tierney right away. Now Suze would think she didn't really care, and Tierney didn't seen eager to elaborate on her job search. Delilah reached for her wine and took another gulp.

“Slow down with wine, okay?” Jason said under his breath. Delilah didn't respond. As discreetly as she could, she wiped her increasingly clammy palms on the cloth napkin in her lap. She couldn't wait for the food to arrive. She would chew and chew and not have to talk and chew.

Denny glanced at Jason's chin. “When do your stitches come out, my man?”

“I'll probably pull them out myself in a day or two,” Jason replied dismissively.

David shook his head. “Your brother's a monster on the ice.”

Delilah piped up. “He's nice in real life, though.” Jason shot her a sideways glance, but it was so fast she didn't know whether it meant
Be quiet,
or
Good, say something, so they know you have a brain.

Delilah continued, “Eric came to brunch with me at my mom's house once when Jason was too hungover. I didn't know Jason was hungover at the time he actually lied to me and said he was sick but anyway he sent Eric in his place because I'd told my mother I had a boyfriend and she'd been nagging me to meet him and so, well, Jason wasn't really my boyfriend yet, but anyway Eric came in his place and it went really well.”

There was stunned silence. Delilah twisted her napkin in her hands. “I'll shut up now,” she announced to no one in particular as she shrank back in her seat.

“That might not be a bad idea,” Jason said in a very low voice, looking pained.

A sudden rush of tears came to Delilah's eyes, and she blinked them back. Jason was ashamed of her, which was unfair. She'd warned him she didn't do well in groups, but he'd pushed her anyway. He was as much to blame for her ineptitude this evening as she was.

By the end of the night, Delilah was of the opinion that Denny O'Malley was a coarse moron and that Suze, despite her dislike of dogs, was too good for him. David and Tierney were incredibly nice, especially Tierney, who kept trying throughout the evening to engage Delilah. Delilah got the sense she actually cared whether or not Delilah was having a good time.

She couldn't say the same for Jason.

“Well, that was
a disaster.”

Jason had promised himself he'd be gentle with Delilah on the ride back to the city. But the minute he pulled out of Dante's parking lot, all the frustration he'd held in check over the course of the evening began bubbling over, and he couldn't hold his tongue.

Delilah said nothing, which only increased Jason's frustration. He wanted her to vehemently defend herself. He wanted to
fight
. He was glad when she finally gave him something to work with by murmuring, “It wasn't that bad.”