The Caterer

Chapter 3

A LICE ARRIVED AT THE PARTY as late as she dared. Coming off the elevator, she worked her way through the mass of people there until she found a spot to breathe, questioning if her sister would know if she left. Only Tabby would be looking for her. She made some comment walking out the door about Alice not hiding away with the kids. The sitter laughed quietly from the kitchen. Where did Tabby get off thinking Alice needed her to dictate her life?

She slipped a potato and chickpea samosa off a passing tray. She rolled the filling over her tongue, smacking her lips. A bit too much salt and store-bought filo dough. Disappointing. Hopefully they didn’t over-salt the pan con tomate. She got in line for a drink, fighting the urge to mess with her hair. She resisted washing the makeup off after Tabby left. Why did women want to feel like clowns all day?

Her friend who ran the front of house for the bar said hello. Alice hugged him and asked how he was. She would never tell Tabby the man thanked her for the party, preferring a private event to hill interns blowing off steam. Let Tabby think she did her one favor.

“How are you?” he asked. Alice shrugged, never sure what to say. She took her glass of wine, and they walked to the railing overlooking the city. She glanced toward the Old Post Office Pavilion. Just let her be sitting in its clocktower, watching the sunset.

“I ran into Carver the other day,” he went on. “He told me about Hasty Pudding.”

“Yeah, we’re still getting going. I’m trying to figure out how to balance everything.” Her usual line. Even after how well the dinner went, Alice still questioned if she could break into the catering world. She cut her teeth in catering, so had the experience, taught by the revered D.B. Cornelia himself. But she was still a disgraced female chef in a male-dominated industry. The fact that Carver partnered with her had to mean something. He was the baker for weddings and high-class events. So far, Alice had been able to pull a couple events from his bookings, not that she was being overly aggressive about it.

“It’s good to see you back out there.” He glanced at the party. “Stick it to Jonas.”

“Jonas.” She finished her sip. “Someday that man has to live and let live. No one would know what happened if it wasn’t for his big mouth.”

“You rejected him, Lil.”

“He never should have been hired in that kitchen. I’m glad people in Hollywood don’t know what good food tastes like, but I do!”

“We all agree. Listen, if you ever want a job as a saucier—I can talk to our chef.” He touched her arm before disappearing into the crowd. Alice set her gaze on the building next door. How was she the pariah? It wasn’t right .

Alice longed to finish her wine and bolt. She understood it was a big night for her sister and wanted to be there to celebrate all Tabby had accomplished to that point, but she’d be more comfortable preparing the menu and managing the food line, being able to duck into the kitchen and get a breather. She didn’t know what to do in these situations. Her sister was the networker, the social one, the one who somehow found three friends from her college days with money and expertise to help launch what was already being heralded as the start-up of the year.

She looked over the sea of people for a friendly face. Why weren’t the twins there? It was a silly question but again would give her a distraction. Back at the apartment, before Tabby and Paul left for the event, Alice had offered to bring the twins home if it got to be too late. Paul had simply laughed and taken the kids to eat their dinner. Tabby stepped closer and reached to adjust Alice’s longer pixie cut, but seeing the amount of goo and hairspray the stylists put in, she pulled her hand back and rested her hands on Alice’s arms instead.

“It wouldn’t kill you to be an adult for one night,” she said. Alice studied her dark blue eyes, tilting her head. Since Alice agreed to live with them while TabiKat got off the ground, her sister had become more maternal. She was six years older and lorded it over Alice, convinced she was filled with sage wisdom. Alice felt like a teenager again, only their mother had never been this overbearing.

“Come to the party.” Tabby ignored Alice’s glare. “Make some contacts. See if you can’t get an investor for your catering company. Don’t forget who I’m doing this for.” She walked into the kitchen. Alice rolled her eyes. Her sister wasn’t doing any of this for her. Her business was the cover Tabby needed to admit the stay-at-home, socialite mother role was as boring in real life as it looked to them growing up. Not that their mother was around much with all those donor events and working the campaign trail. Tabby refused to admit that TabiKat was her dream—had been for years. No, make it all about Alice’s catering company and use it as leverage to guilt her and treat her like a child.

She turned back toward the city, the uncertainty salt in a wound. She worked too damn hard in Cornelia’s kitchen to be passed over for Executive Chef after he died. If she wasn’t given the promotion, she should have at least kept her position as sous chef. But Jonas made it clear how she would keep her job. Alice told him not to burn himself on the béchamel and walked out. He’d smeared her name across D.C., calling her ungrateful and hard to work with. He thought she’d crawl back, but Alice had come too far to work for a man like that.

Tabby came her way with the look that said Alice messed up. Alice merged into the crowd, not in the mood for another of Tabby’s pep talks/micromanaging guilt trips, aka tell Alice everything she did wrong. There had to be someone in this sea of people she could talk to.

Moe grabbed her arm and asked how she was doing before introducing his girlfriend. The woman was petite with black hair to her mid-back, and eyes the color of pure maple syrup that lit up when she looked at Moe. For someone who always appeared overworked, it was nice to see him relax. The fact he could survive working with her sister all the time, well, that should qualify him for sainthood.

“Hello, Alice.” Harry stepped into the conversation. The last of “The Three Stooges,” as Tabby called them, Harry—Carrie—and Moe, contacts from college who invested in her start-up. Harry always looked like he stepped out of an action film, tighter short-sleeved button-up, almost-too-tight slacks, aviator glasses.

“You look stunning.” Harry gave her a side hug and kissed her cheek. “Doesn’t she look stunning, Mo Mo?”

“Moe was telling me about his upcoming vacation to St. Lucia.” Alice elbowed Harry to create some distance. Rule number one when trying to impress a girl: don’t call your supposed friend a name everyone knows he hates. “Any fun plans while you’re there?” Alice turned her attention back toward Moe, ready for Harry to move on.

“When’s the last time you got a vacation, Lil?” Moe asked.

“Let’s see—it’s ‘09 so…maybe ’96, when Tabby and I went to Europe for the summer.”

“That can’t be right.”

Alice thought about it. “No, you’re right. It was Mexico with my ex.” Three years before.

“We could go somewhere,” Harry said. “Your sister said you’re not working much.”

Alice forced a smile. “I’m working at my food truck and my catering company.”

“That’s with Carver Wright?” Moe’s girlfriend asked. Alice nodded. “We got a cake from him for a friend’s birthday last year. It was really good.”

“Carver is the best. He’s letting me use his kitchen and does desserts. I’m not a baker.”

“Let me talk to my friend. There are some events she does for her clients. It’s real estate people, but it could lead somewhere.”

“Yeah, thank you.” She twitched her nose. “How’s the supermodel?” Alice looked at Harry. If he was going to leer at her, she was going to remind him of the bimbo he had at home.

“Cheerleader. We broke up. I’m apparently working too much.”

“Do you work? I thought you were a silent partner.” Moe took a drink of his beer. Harry chuckled. Alice waited; it was rare to see Harry Clarks agitated.

“Tabs needed both expertise and funding. You gave one. I gave the other.” Harry flashed a smile that got him out of far too much, too bad it had no effect on those he was with presently.

“Still haven’t seen you in the office since we started. Where have you been working? ”

“My father’s lobbying firm. Doll, do you want to go somewhere more private?” He turned his full attention onto Alice. His neck was red, his smile a little too forced. Alice opened her mouth to reject him when someone tapped a knife on their glass. Moe touched her elbow and told Alice to have a good night before moving into the crowd with his girlfriend. Tabby tapped her knife on the glass again, waiting for the crowd to quiet. Alice debated leaving. But if Tabby noticed, Alice would have to justify why. Better to not risk her sister’s ire.

“Thank you for being here,” Tabby began. “This is a night that has been years in the making.”

Alice scanned the crowd. Across the way, Carrie stood with two men. One eyed her tight red dress without disregard, his black suit ill-cut for his bulky frame. It was the man from Delany’s dinner, darker brown skin, a round face, and bald head. Next to him stood Delany Clare. Why didn’t Tabby mention he would be there? He saw Alice and raised his hand, Alice waving back. Harry joined them, Carrie introducing him to the two men. Delany said something and moved out of the group. Alice stood straighter as he weaved through the crowd toward her. She slipped between those around her, meeting him at the bar.

“What are you doing here?” Alice asked.

“Bobbie heard about it. Listen, can I buy you a drink?”

“Now?”

He smiled. “If that works for you.”

Alice glanced toward her sister. “A drink sounds lovely.”

They made their way to the elevator, Alice letting out her breath. It felt good to get out of the crowd, except she was leaving to get a drink with Delany Clare. Of course she was in a dress she’d never pick out for herself, and her hair probably resembled a mohawk. Just play it cool.

They end up in a basement bar near Lafayette Square. Delany got a sidecar. Alice asked for the first drink she could think of: a Cosmo .

“My friends loved your food last night.” He undid his sleeves and rolled them back.

“Good. It’s what I love to do.” She sat on the booth side of their table, Delany in a chair.

“What did you do to the pesto? Elle was trying to figure it out.”

Elle must be the woman sitting next to him. Alice debated whether to tell him his friends consumed leaves and weeds. “Dandelion leaves.”

“Like the weed?” He leaned into the table between them.

The server came back with their drinks, forcing Delany to sit back. Alice took a longer sip, remembering she hated Cosmos due to the triple sec. She’d found a way to all but eliminate it from the cocktails at Hasty Pudding. She put it down and forced herself to swallow.

“There are a host of things around us we can eat, goldenrod, sumac, chickweed. Did you know you can eat cherry blossoms?”

“As in what blooms around here in the spring?” He tilted his head.

“Yeah.” She took another sip. “You can use it for tea, or it’s good with mochi. I infused a jar of vodka with them.”

He set his elbow on the table and rubbed his forehead, his brow pinched. Here came the time for him to make an excuse to leave. Well, she could say she had a drink once with Delany Clare.

“How did you figure all this out?”

“My father got into foraging during college. It’s how we bonded growing up. How is retirement going?” She sipped her drink again, ready to get the attention off herself.

“Good. Do you not like your drink?”

“Why do you say that?”

“You just grimace every time you take a sip.”

“Oh god.” She put her head in her hands. Delany chuckled and reached for her hand to get her to look at him again.

“Take mine.” He pushed her drink her way. “Does it taste like cough syrup? That’s why I never get one. ”

“You don’t have to,” she started to say, but he sipped her drink and rocked his head. “Thank you. I forgot I hate triple sec. So, your retirement.” She sipped his sidecar. He laughed, seeming to remember there was triple sec in it as well. “I can finish this, it’s fine.”

“Alice, we can get you something you like.” He touched her wrist before flagging down a waitress.

“Can I get a gin and tonic?” She asked, grateful the low lighting kept Delany from seeing how her face probably matched the Cosmo he finished before asking for another sidecar. He turned his attention back to her, his eyebrows raising as he wet his lips. “My retirement is going well. Working at my holding company, getting into philanthropy more.”

“You didn’t take that much time off.”

He laughed. “No, I guess not.”

“Well, I’m just glad someone of note took interest in the women’s team here.”

“You’re a Mystics fan?” He leaned into the table again.

“Misty Barber came into the restaurant I used to work at. I got to know some of the players. My niece loves them, wants to play in the WNBA someday.” She caught his gaze, and her cheeks flushed. She leaned in to ask another question when his cell phone rang. Delany held up his finger and leaned back.

“Hey Bobbie.…Having drinks with a friend.…I didn’t sneak off anywhere.” He looked over the restaurant, his other hand drumming the table. “I will see you Monday.…No, Katy has the weekend off. Goodbye.” He hung up and shook his head. “Don’t know why I answered that. Are you hungry?”

“Like, for dinner?”

“That is what people normally eat after drinks.” He winked. The server came back with their drinks, Delany asking for menus. Alice reached for her drink and sipped. Maybe the evening wasn’t going as badly as she imagined.