****
The entire next day was devoted to cooking. Justine had selected desserts that needed to be prepared in stages. Marienne started first thing in the morning and was still going at four in the afternoon when her phone rang. She recognized Daniel’s work number immediately.
“Hi.” She wedged the phone between her shoulder and ear so she could continue stirring the bowl of chocolate on the double boiler.
“Hey,” Daniel said. “How are you?”
“I’m good.” She smiled. He’d always been caring, but since he’d found out about her pregnancy his mother-hen tendencies had kicked into overdrive. It was amusing and endearing. “How are you?”
“I’m fine. I’m sorry Justine is making you do all this stuff for her.”
Marienne laughed. “She’s not making me do anything. I said I’d help her. I don’t mind at all.”
“Are you sure?” Concern colored his voice again. “It’s not too much? It’s not going to make you nauseated?”
“It’s not too much. My stomach feels fine, thank God.”
“Oh good.” He breathed an audible sigh of relief. “I nearly flipped last night when Justine told me she was having you cook for her party. She has no idea you’re pregnant. I never told her anything. I was worried you might have said yes just to be nice. You’re really sure?”
“Daniel.” She faked annoyance.
“Okay, okay, you’re sure. How’s it going then? Let me guess, you’ve been cooking all day?”
“Mmmmhmmm.”
“You’re cooking right now, aren’t you?
“Yep.” She laughed.
“What are you making?”
“Truffle loaf. I’m melting the chocolate.”
****
He could see her, standing in her kitchen, with the phone cradled between her ear and shoulder. Could see her hand wrapped around the wooden spoon as she spiraled it through the molten chocolate, could smell the chocolate itself. He felt a warm rush wash through his body as the images passed through his mind. His eyes closed to see them clearer.
“What are you doing?” she asked.
Her voice startled him, and he came close to answering ‘I’m getting inappropriately aroused in my office.’ He stopped himself, thinking better of it, and simply said, “Sitting at my desk.”
“Ahhh, working hard?” she asked.
“You have no idea.”
She giggled in a way that made him wonder if she’d caught the double meaning, but he assumed that wasn’t possible. He was the one with his mind in the gutter, not her. Probably not. Though he wasn’t one hundred percent sure. The images flashed again, and he shifted in his chair.
“What time are we shopping tomorrow?” she asked.
“We?”
“Didn’t Justine tell you? She wants me to go with you.”
“Let me guess. She’s afraid I’ll do something stupid. Like come home with a crate of turnips and a bag of Guinness flavored corn chips.” He sighed, feeling annoyed by Justine’s lack of confidence in him, but at the same time knowing that, in this particular case, it wasn’t without merit. He was dreadful at food shopping and he likely would come home with something ridiculous. Plus the thought of shopping with Marienne was a definite perk to this assignment. Any excuse to spend time with her was a perk.
“I think she’s just nervous,” Marienne said. “And I don’t mind at all. I used to work at Dean and DeLuca, and I haven’t been there in years. I’m looking forward to going with you.”
Those words brightened Daniel’s mood. He smiled and started doodling on the yellow notepad on his desk. “How are we going to work this? I have a meeting at nine in the morning, then I’m free. Do you want to ride into the city with me? My meeting won’t take long.”
“Sure. I don’t get into the city much lately. I’ll walk around and when you’re done, we’ll shop. We’ll be home in plenty of time to get everything set.”
“Perfect. Pick you up around seven?”
“Sounds great,” she said.
“See if Frank wants to head in with us, but remind him he’ll have to take the train home.”
“I’ll tell him.”
“See you tomorrow,” he said.
“Goodbye Daniel.” He could hear the smile in her voice. The images floated through his mind again.
Tomorrow is going to be a very good day.
Chapter Twenty-One
Marienne finished everything on her list. The desserts were done and plated. She wrote down instructions for how to heat the caramel sauce. She couldn’t wait to go shopping.
Frank decided to take an even earlier train into work on Friday. Daniel picked her up at seven in the morning. It had been a while since they’d spent any length of time alone together, and the commute flew by. He parked on Prince Street and left Marienne to wander around SoHo while he had his meeting. They agreed to meet at Dean and DeLuca at ten thirty. He gave her Justine’s list so she could start shopping if she arrived before him.
Marienne missed walking around, window shopping. Without realizing it she wandered all the way up MacDougal Street. She took a seat in front of Caffe Dante, on one of the familiar black chairs, and sipped a decaf iced mocha as she watched the people scurry by. Before she knew it, it was time to meet Daniel.
As she strolled down Prince Street toward Dean and DeLuca she saw him running across Broadway. She’d have recognized him from a mile away, the way his long legs moved, and the way his hand ran through his hair. She smiled as they reached the doorway at the same moment.
“Perfect timing.” He held the big glass door open.
She wove through the produce department assessing what they had. “Let’s start with cheese.” She handed him a basket and grabbed another for herself. Customers ahead of her made their orders and reached out to get the samples being offered by the servers behind the sprawling glass case.
Out of nowhere Marienne heard a familiar shriek.
“OhmiGod,” the unmistakable voice called. “Marienne.” She turned to see Dalton, tall, thin, attractive as ever, arms in the air, as he strode toward her. He wrapped her in a huge bear hug.
“I was hoping you’d still be here.” She hugged him back.
“Where else would I be?” He gave her an exaggerated eye roll from behind his narrow black eyeglass frames. He held her at arm’s length, looking her up and down. “You look fantastic. How are you? What are you doing now? Tell me everything.”
She laughed. Dalton hadn’t changed a bit since the she’d met him, years ago, on her first day of work. He was the pastry manager at the time and he had trained her, taking her under his wing, teaching her all the rules, giving her all the good gossip, explaining how to sneak free food during breaks. He was the best. He’d been great fun to work with and she’d missed him when she left.
She tried to summarize the past few years. “I got my masters in visual arts, from Rutgers. I’m living in New Jersey, freelancing. And I got married two years ago.”
Dalton picked up her left hand to look at the ring then his eyes shifted to Daniel. “Is this the lucky man?” he asked, eyebrows raised. He mouthed the word ‘nice’ to her.
“No.” Marienne flushed at the assumption. “This is my friend Daniel. Daniel, this is Dalton, he taught me everything I know about food.”
Dalton shook Daniel’s hand, looking him up and down. “Very nice.” He muttered into her ear.
Daniel smiled, clearly amused.
“What about you?” Marienne asked.
“Oh, me.” Dalton rolled his eyes again. “I’m still here, obviously, but I’ve had a recurring part on
One Life to Live
for the past three months, and they’re talking contract. Fingers crossed.” He made a scared face and looked up to mouth the word ‘please’ toward the heavens.
“I’ll have to remember to tape the show,” Marienne said. Dalton waved his hand as if to say ‘don’t be ridiculous,’ but she knew he was hoping she’d watch.
He noted the list in her hand. “What are we shopping for today?”
She explained Justine’s needs and Dalton nodded, reading the list along with her.
“Okay.” He took Daniel by the shoulders and led him to the front of the cheese line. Marienne laughed at the look on Daniel’s face.
“Sammy,” Dalton called to the thin, blond man behind the counter. “This is my friend Daniel. He needs an eclectic assortment for a party of twelve. I want a good balance and nice variety, lots of textures and colors, and make sure you label them all. Give him the little cards so he can mark them at home.” He turned toward Daniel with a flourish. “Sammy will take care of you. Except for the labeling, his handwriting is awful. Let Marienne do that. Hers is lovely. I’m taking Marienne over to the meat department, and we will meet you at seafood.” He gestured directly across the store then grabbed Marienne by the hand and pulled her away. She flashed Daniel a smile over her shoulder as she disappeared between the stainless steel shelves of tea boxes and crackers.
“Okay, tell me,” Dalton said, the minute they were out of sight. “Who is this Daniel guy? This is not ‘just a friend’.”
“What?” Marienne’s eyes widened as she stared at Dalton’s impatient face.
He pursed his lips, arms crossed, one hip jutted out to the side. She felt her face color.
“I knew it. Are you having an affair?” he asked in an intrigued whisper. “Because if you are, I say good for you. He is gorgeous.”
“Noooooo.” She shook her head. “Absolutely not. I’m married. He’s married. He’s just a good friend.”
“He doesn’t look at you like he’s just a good friend.” Dalton raised both eyebrows and shook his head.
“Don’t be ridiculous.” She flushed again.
“And you don’t blush this often regarding your ‘friends’ either.”
“Dalton, I mean it. Nothing’s going on.”
“Okay.” He threw his hands up in surrender. “All I’m going to say is if there isn’t, maybe there should be, because when two people look at each other the way you two look at each other, it’s usually not something you want to miss. That’s all I’m saying. Now let’s get you your meat.” He emphasized the word meat, and knocked his hip into Marienne’s in a playful bump. Marienne laughed as she watched him order the guy behind the deli counter to slice up a bunch of imported hams and salamis.
By the time they had gathered the meat, cheese, smoked fish, giant prawns, grilled vegetables, fresh greens and tomatoes they had five brimming baskets of food. Dalton grabbed several skinny baguettes and thrust them under Marienne’s free arm as they headed to the cashier.
“Employee discount.” He winked at Marienne.
“Whatever you say, boss.” The cashier smiled up at him.
“Boss?” Marienne asked.
“Did I not mention that?” He feigned surprise. “I’m store manager now.” He’d been practically running the place for years. She was glad he was finally getting some recognition.
They had over a dozen towering white shopping bags. Way too much to carry.
“Where are you parked?” Dalton asked.
“Four blocks over,” Daniel said.
“You’ll never make it.” Dalton laughed. “Go get the car and pull up by the hydrant.” He pointed out front.
Daniel turned to Marienne. “Wait here. It looks like it’s going to rain.”
Marienne looked up at the sky through the tall plate glass windows, and sure enough, the first drops were beginning to fall. Daniel smiled and strode out the door. She watched as he ran across Broadway, one arm raised to stop traffic. She turned to find Dalton staring at her, arms folded across his chest, grinning.
“I know, I know. You’re ‘just friends’.” His eyes twinkled as she blushed for the umpteenth time.
****
By the time Daniel returned with the car, it was pouring. Huge droplets bounced off the puddles that already covered the sidewalk. Cars lined the street. He had to double park. Marienne could see the flashing hazard lights reflecting off the wet pavement as he ran toward the door.
Once inside he removed his jacket and shook it off. “Let’s get you to the car first, then I’ll come back for the bags.”
“Don’t be ridiculous.” She tried to grab a bag.
Dalton intervened. “Neither of you has to carry anything. Go pop the trunk. My staff will do the rest.” He winked at Marienne then hugged her. “It was wonderful to see you. Come back soon.” He kissed her cheek, whispering in her ear. “And keep me updated on Gorgeous over here, would you?”
“Daniel, a pleasure to meet you, best of luck with your party. You’re in good hands with Marienne. I taught her everything I know.” He shook Daniel’s hand. “Well, almost everything.” He winked at her again. “Take good care of her.”
Daniel smiled. “I’ll do my best.”
Daniel arched his jacket up over their heads as they dashed through the downpour. She reached up to grab onto the jacket and instead caught his hand. His skin felt warm, even in the chilly rain. When they reached the street, her heel slipped on the watery edge of the curb. Daniel caught her around her waist as she struggled to regain her footing. He let go of the jacket in the process and they were both getting drenched.
“You okay?” he said, still holding her.
“Yeah. I can’t believe you caught me.”
“Me either.”
Their eyes locked as the rain poured down over them. She held her breath then Daniel loosened his grip. “Come on.” He ushered her around the car and opened the passenger door. His arm stayed protectively around her until she was seated.