The Caterer

Chapter 9

A LICE PASSED UNDER THE WROUGHT IRON, vine-covered arch into a secret garden. Japanese wisteria, redbud and dogwood, rows of hydrangea bushes, and various colored azalea lined a perfectly kept lawn. She resisted the urge to kick off her shoes and run and spin. On the far side stood a two-story structure with windows along the back wall and a winding staircase to the second story inside, a magnificent chandelier in the upper windows.

Closer to the main estate people hung lights in the trees as men carried off-white picnic tables to supplement the collection of tables on the back patio, while others worked to erect a stage off on the grass. Katy watched it all with a clipboard in hand, ensuring every detail met her elite standards.

“Hey, Katy.” Alice said, causing Katy to turn. “This is an impressive space.”

Katy faced the lawn area with her, a proud smile on her face. “Don’t let it slip, but tonight is Mr. Clare’s 35th birthday. His best friend sold it as a vision casting event, but really it’s a party for him.”

“I see.” Another pressure added to the evening.

“It’s going to be so fun.” She beamed and squealed. “Let me know if you need anything. I’ll have my cell with me all night.”

“Thank you, Katy.”

Somehow Carver assembled an army of students from various culinary programs across the city to help ensure the event went off without a hitch. He schmoozed the partygoers and worked to keep the front end going, identifying what the servers needed to refill. Alice stayed in the kitchen, working with two of Carver’s best chefs to keep the trays restocked and refills ready. A collection of top hits played on the speakers. Alice hummed along, trusting that some of the ‘beautiful girls’ looked ‘glamorous’ and hoped there would be no need for an ‘umbrella.’ Judging from the music and conversation that flowed into the side building, it was a good thing she ordered extra of everything.

Sending the next round of gazpacho shots out, Alice went to lean on the back door to the service kitchen. The lights in the trees, coupled with the strands across the back patio, cast the scene in a magical glow. People danced close to the stage, children laughing and running in the grass. Around the space men stood in button-down shirts with no ties, women in shorter dresses and neon-colored leggings or oversized accent belts. The lines at the food stations were decent, but not too long. Closer to the house, the two sorbet bars were well-patronized. Another staffer rushed by with a crate of dirty dishes for the van. Alice sensed she’d be doing dishes at the bakery for a week.

She walked back into the kitchen and opened the transport cabinet. Hopefully the party would wind down soon; they were about to run out of charcuterie boards. But people should be transitioning to the desserts. She reached for one of the remaining trays .

“I hoped you’d be here tonight.” Delany’s voice caused her to jump. Alice barely missed whacking her face on the cabinet door, almost dropping the tray of charcuterie boards. “I’m sorry.” He took the tray so she could find her feet again. “I didn’t mean to startle you.”

“It’s fine.” She drew in her breath, still not sure what to do. She’d avoided his call since putting two and two together. She wanted to hate him, take on some of Tabby’s anger over what he did. But then she thought about their date and all she knew about him, unable to get the requisite emotions to stick.

“Your food is a big hit. The staff can barely keep it stocked.”

Alice reached for the tray. “I can tell them to go faster if you…”

“Not what I meant.” He touched her arm. Her body flooded with warmth, her legs feeling weak. A server came for the charcuterie boards. Delany stepped back and waited while Alice unloaded four more trays to servers who took them to tables throughout the garden.

“I hoped maybe we could get dinner sometime.”

“I can’t, Delany. Things are busy for the summer.”

“Lunch? I’d take a coffee, Alice.”

She wanted to be near him, but after what Macon did to her sister, there was no way. Carver came to ask a question. “I should go. Happy birthday.” Alice went to check on things, needing to get out of the kitchen.

Holy cheese puffs, he was attractive. His smile could melt an ice sculpture, and the way his shirt sat undone over the top of his chest. That man could bat his eyes, and any woman would be putty. Based on what she’d seen and heard she always believed he was a good guy, but after what happened, she questioned if he got by on his charm. Maybe he was more like Harry than she wanted to believe .

Across the way the other man from Tabby’s party stood with his arm around Carrie, his hand grazing her ass, Carrie in a skintight blue dress. Maybe all her dresses featured zippers down the front to make things easier later. Alice refused to say hello and pretend things were okay. Instead, she started to collect the empty dishes off a banquet table, the staff merging things down to two lines as people’s focus shifted to Carver’s desserts and the frozen yogurt bar. They were not responsible for the drinks so could leave once the tables were cleared.

A man’s voice replaced the music.

“Thank you all for being here tonight. My name is Bobbie Dunn,” said the man whose arm had been around Carrie. “I’m CIO at Macon and Delany’s best friend since we were kids.” He lifted his glass in the direction where Delany stood in a group with several other men. Alice kept working, ready to go. “Our guy is pretty great, right?” Cheers filled the air. Alice rolled her eyes and carried another tray of dishes to the van. The audio cut out on the side of the building. Servers ran in and out of the kitchen, working to shut things down. Carver walked back with her to the lawn, Delany now on the stage beside Bobbie. Alice stepped back and waited while two of the staff carried the cake onto the stage. Delany smiled while everyone sang “Happy Birthday”.

“I can stay until dessert is done,” Carver said. “If you want to head back and start cleaning up.”

This was why their partnership worked.

“I just need the check.” She found Katy and slipped through the crowd toward her.

“It’s been a great year,” Delany said at the microphone. Alice touched Katy’s elbow.

“We’re almost all packed and ready to head out. Carver and a few servers will stay until the dessert is done. If that’s okay with you.”

Katy looked at Delany. “Mr. Clare has your check. He asked me for it a minute ago. This shouldn’t take too long. ”

Carrie saw Alice and dropped her jaw, her hand on her heart. She started to move through the crowd.

“You can mail the check, it’s fine.”

The crowd cheered again as Alice walked toward the catering van.

“Lil,” Carrie called out. Alice met Carver’s gaze and debated what to do. Music started on the speakers again.

“Lil.” Carrie touched her arm. “What are you…”

Alice faced her. “If you think I have anything to say to you after the stunt you three pulled…”

“Lil…”

“It’s Alice, Carrie. We’re not friends. You used my sister and discarded her for your financial benefit. Did you sell her out before or after you started sleeping with Delany’s best friend? God, how do you look at yourself in the mirror?”

“There is more to things than just…”

“No. There’s not. My sister built that company, and you sold her out for financial gain. We aren’t friends. I want no part in your plastic life.” She walked back to the kitchen. Hopefully, after tonight, she would not have a reason to interact with Delany Clare or Macon Enterprises ever again.