The Caterer

Chapter 17

T ABBY KNELT AND TOLD the twins to be good for her friend taking them to the zoo. She waited for the front door to close before she pulled herself off the floor. How long until they were back in school? She went to the office ready to find a job. Surely, she could parlay the success of WlkmNt into an interview. After leading her own company, the idea of working under someone sounded less than appealing, but she refused to stay at home and wallow. The best way to show Delany Clare who ran her company was to enable another one to compete with Array.

She wanted to study web design in college. One summer she interned with a gaming company, and that was enough. The costumes, the pathetic storylines, the lack of true representation. Women were there as props for men to look at, possessions to fuel their quests, or instruments for their sexual release. Her mother taught the girls to stand tall, to take up space, to not accept any man’s BS. Tabby tried to push back, but then the harassment got directed at her. Why did a woman having an opinion scare men so much? She changed her major and studied communications. After graduation, she got a job doing marketing for a beef association, hating almost every day.

While she was pregnant, she and Paul decided that she would not go back to work. The cost of paying for daycare for two children would take almost her entire paycheck. They lived in The District then, this bleak two bedroom near Logan Circle. Once she got over her fears of trying to manage two infants in public, Tabby would put them in their stroller and walk the National Mall from The Capitol to The Lincoln Memorial and back again. She set up a collapsible playpen, getting the twins used to napping on a blanket. It taught her children to sleep anywhere.

That winter, Tabby was stuck inside with two kids in their terrible twos and a neighbor who banged on their ceiling all day. Her mother told her to hire a nanny and do something for herself. Tabby couldn’t get over how pretentious that sounded. Instead, they reworked their budget and moved out of The District. Tabby started to teach herself HTML while the twins napped and at night. Her curiosity grew. Then the recession hit, and they prayed Paul would keep his job, government agencies taking a huge cut. Around that time, a friend needed a place to stay in D.C. and hated hotels. Alice had space and needed funding while she wallowed in her fears. Tabby put two and two together and TabiKat was born.

She stood and went to make another cup of tea. Two hours and she’d found three jobs that were beneath what she could do. She called her mother. Maryanne Gibson knew everyone worth knowing in the D.C. area, maybe she’d have a lead for her.

THEY MET AT HER MOTHER’S favorite hotel restaurant close to the White House. The Willard had been a D.C. staple for over 150 years. Inside featured tall marble columns, ornate ceilings, red drapes, and the best mimosa brunch in town. If someone wanted to reach her mother, the best first step would be suggesting they dine there. Maryanne was a sucker for their Bellinis and fromage tray. Regardless of where else Alice tried to tempt her to, their mother always went back to The Willard. Something about the low lighting, quiet alcoves, oversized furniture. It was Tabby’s favorite place to spend an afternoon sipping cocktails.

“How goes the job search?” Her mother asked after they got their food. Tabby already told her all about their trip and how excited the kids were for school to start again.

Tabby shrugged and took a bite of her salad. “I was hoping maybe you could help me.”

“Well, I don’t know anyone who does IT, but I can ask around…”

“I don’t do IT, Mom.” They’d had this conversation before.

“You work on computers…”

“I write code for websites and apps on your phone.”

Maryanne looked at her blankly. God bless her mother. Somehow the BlackBerry revolution went right past her, her father reminding her to check her email. They were still working on not getting her to send marathon texts. It was okay to abbreviate and not use proper grammar. No wonder her mother had no idea what Tabby did all day.

She reached for her water and told herself to calm down. “Not IT, Mom.” Maybe this wasn’t the best idea.

#

ALICE FOLLOWED CARVER onto the elevator at Bobbie’s apartment. She thanked him again for coming as he pushed the button for the top floor.

“Not a big deal, Lil. The wife and kids are at my in-laws in Ohio for the week, and believe me, uninterrupted college football tomorrow sounds pretty great. Besides, we have that fundraiser on Sunday. ”

She could only nod. Her stomach twisted in knots, and she couldn’t take anything but a shallow breath. Already she felt covered in sweat, and not from the heat and humidity.

The elevator opened to a rooftop deck. Bobbie’s apartment at the crest of the hill above Georgetown provided a complete view of the city to RFK stadium and into Virginia and Maryland. Bobbie stood near a picnic table in light blue board shorts, a white polo, and gray thin jacket, with stark white tennies. He spoke with another man, who laughed. Bobbie smirked. He saw them and sauntered over, scowling.

“This is Carver Wright, my business partner.”

Alice waited while the men shook hands.

“You can’t manage twenty-five people by yourself?”

“Man, you’d pass up a view like this? Besides, this girl can’t make a mixed drink to save her life.” Carver winked at her and asked Bobbie where he wanted them to set up.

“Not a fan of the hard stuff?” Bobbie asked.

“I don’t drink much,” Alice said. “Where should we…”

“Don’t drink?” He crossed his arms. “You religious, addicted, have a bad experience—what?”

Alice cocked her head. Did this arrogant ass expect people to be honest with his question dripped in judgment? She bit her tongue; Bobbie held a lot of sway with Delany.

“Where do we set up?” Carver asked again. Bobbie led the way, Alice pushing the insulated pan cart behind them. A grill sat in the corner, close to a small hut for them to work out of. Alice left Carver to unpack and went to get the rest of their stuff from the van in the alley. She lowered her head in the elevator. Just before the doors closed, a hand came between them, Bobbie getting on with her.

“I’m glad this worked out,” he said as they rode down.

“Uh-huh.” She tried to keep her tone neutral.

“Bulldog raves about your food, barely get him to talk about anything else. ”

“I’m sure you and Mr. Clare have plenty of other things to discuss.”

“Still, be nice to see the new acquisition in action.” Bobbie waited for her to get off the elevator first. Alice walked to the van, Bobbie staying with her. “I asked Katy to see the details, want to be sure Bulldog didn’t give away the store. I mean if Delany wanted to take on a catering company there are others that are more established than yours.”

“Did you come down for something?” Surely this wasn’t all a veiled attempt to find out what she and Delany agreed to. So far, he seemed content to treat her as a vendor and recommend her to his network. Part of her wondered when the request was coming. He could not be doing all of this out of goodwill or because he loved her street tacos that much.

“Carver mentioned it might be a lot to carry. I’m here to help.” He smiled wide. Alice did a once-over on him before she started unloading the van, able to feel Bobbie scrutinizing her form. She wore a looser tunic with muted flowers imprinted on it and black cropped leggings, not wanting to give Bobbie the wrong idea. She was not here for him to flirt with or make passes at. Isn’t that why he had Carrie?

“I am going to park the van. If you can take this last load up.” She finished loading the dolly.

“Don’t think you have a shot with Bulldog.” Bobbie said when she finished. Alice started to respond, but he talked over her. “You’re the caterer. He’s not here for you to get rich from. Don’t forget—I’m watching.” Bobbie said he’d see her at the top and walked away with the food. Alice got into the van and found a place not that far away to park. She took the back entrance and prayed for rain.

Carver was mostly set up when Alice got back, Bobbie talking to a smaller group of people. Harry’s laugh filled the air. Great. Carrie came onto the roof with a few of her girlfriends. The patio filled with people, most of whom Alice had never met, Carrie’s life since she left D.C. a mystery.

Alice was sixteen when Tabby bought her best friend from USC home for the summer. Two clichéd sorority girls: tanned, ideal form, perfect and beautiful. Tabby took Carrie to parties with children of senators and interns on The Hill. After Carrie graduated, she lived with the family until she got her footing. Alice went to her first wedding to a lawyer, the guy totally vanilla. Alice didn’t know how he snagged Carrie in a city of more powerful men. They barely made it two years before Carrie left him for a surrealist artist whose 3D installations took the art world by storm. Alice lost track of her as they traveled the world, living the high life. By then she was working with Cornelia and lived in that basement apartment outside Georgetown she loved. Tabby gave her updates sometimes, but Alice always felt Carrie looked through her, humoring her as Tabby’s na?ve little sister.

“You’re a sight for sore eyes.” Harry came to the hut between courses.

“Do you need another drink?”

“Come on, Lil.” He tilted his head. Alice took a deep breath. “What happened with your sister wasn’t ideal, but we can still be friends.”

“Who’s the girl?” She motioned toward the stunning brunette talking to Carrie.

“Some friend of Carrie’s. We should get dinner sometime.”

Alice put her hand on the counter and leaned into it. “And what would we talk about?”

He came around the opening of the hut, Alice leaning on the counter. He put his arms around her.

“Right conditions…we wouldn’t have to talk at all.”

She felt his body heat, able to see his brown eyes through his sunglasses. His arm went around her back, Harry lining up for a kiss .

She laughed. “Do women fall for this?” She pushed back on his chest. “Still not interested.”

He let her go. “One meal. Let me show you I’m not who you think.”

She laughed. “You are exactly what I think. What did I tell you the last time we talked?” She crossed her arms and waited. Harry shook his head and looked at the horizon.

“What would you have me do now?” he asked.

“Care about someone else. Give your time and talents to something that matters. You are the sole heir to millions. Go play charity golf or build houses for those who can’t afford them.”

“I tried investing in a startup company of a woman who wants to change the world.”

Alice groaned and shook her head. He just did not give up.

“Funny, you blow me off and yet take Delany Clare’s money.” He scowled. “I thought your morals wouldn’t let you get into bed with the guy who screwed your sister. Or am I missing something?”

The air went out of her chest, all of Alice’s arrogance gone. She leaned on the counter, having nothing to say in her defense.

“You’re just like your sister,” Harry added.

“I am nothing like Tabby.” Alice told herself to calm down.

“No, you are. Judgmental. Self-righteous. Think you have it all figured out. How would Tabby react knowing you’re working with Delany Clare? Are you all that different from me?”

“Can I get a bottle of white?” Carver asked. Alice leaned off the counter and moved to grab the wine. Carver uncorked the bottle and took it to the table. Harry went back to his place. Bobbie took a sip of his wine, looking between Alice and Harry.