The Caterer

Chapter 19

T HE ALARM WENT OFF far too early the next morning, Alice praying for five more minutes. Her body ached from being on her feet all the time. Her hands were calloused and dry. If she never did another dish as long as she lived... Carver was right—they didn’t need to stay at the event until the end, but Alice got lost in watching the guys play. Something about the joy of the moment, the community.

Delany’s hand in hers made her knees weak. He rarely touched her, minus the occasional hand on her back when he introduced her or touching her arm to point something out. Every time her heart raced, and she could barely think. She missed him while he was gone, thinking of a dozen things she wanted to tell him. They talked sometimes while she cooked at his place, Alice loving his opinion and view of the world. She told herself to be okay being just his friend. Only they weren’t friends—she was an employee, a vendor. She had to keep things casual.

For the first time since before Cornelia died, Alice enjoyed what she was doing. She never thought she would like a food truck, always saw catering as a second-class choice. Something about the lack of snobbery, the community, the variety she loved. What if she didn’t need her own brick-and-mortar restaurant to be happy?

While the water heated for her shower, she picked up after the twins, putting the toothpaste cap back on, collecting the dirty clothes into the laundry bin, and rehanging the towels. It was good to not be alone, even if she rarely saw the family anymore.

Tabby called hello as Alice walked into the kitchen. Annie slid out of her chair, coming to hug Alice good morning.

“Come with us to the zoo.”

“I can’t, sweetheart. I have to work.”

Tabby told Annie to finish her breakfast. Alice glanced through the open paper on the counter, stopping on the update on the Old Post Office renovation. The developer planned to turn it into The Cora, a five-star hotel and apartment space. It would be a complete interior renovation while retaining the distinct charm of the D.C. landmark. The flagship restaurant was rumored to be a restaurant by Jonas.

She read the line again. Jonas was getting a restaurant in her building! The building she’d set her sights on as the pinnacle of her career. The one place in D.C. she wanted to go. Her blood felt like it was on fire; the hair on her arms bristled. She read the line again to be sure.

Tabby said her name, and Alice looked up.

“What’s wrong?” Tabby asked. Alice studied the photo. The chances of someone buying the building and not tearing it down were slim and she would probably never get a restaurant there. But Jonas! Didn’t anyone care he had no idea what he was doing? His food tasted like it came out of an easy-bake oven. How did he keep getting everything she wanted ?

“Nothing.” Alice closed the paper, ready to move on. Tabby told the twins to go brush their teeth, Alice kneeling to intercept Annie.

“I’m sorry I’m working so much.”

“I never see you. I’m starting school next week. I want to hang out.”

Alice’s heart hurt. “I will be here tomorrow night, okay?” She hugged her niece and watched her walk away, taking a moment before she stood.

“What time did you get home last night?” Tabby asked from the sink.

“One. The event went later than I thought. I didn’t wake you, did I?”

“No, I was up. Not sleeping much anymore.”

Alice heard her sister’s steps in the hallway, the TV on in the living room.

“Why aren’t you sleeping?”

Tabby sighed. “What do I do now, Lil? Paul tells me to dream big, but all I can see is another version of TabiKat…”

“And the intellectual property…”

“It’s gone. Whatever I created for the company stays with the company. I might not have been so forthcoming with my ideas if I’d known.”

“You couldn’t have seen this coming.” She watched her. “Have you heard from anyone?”

“Carrie messaged me. I told her to go screw herself. I’ve blocked all of them on social media. What could they possibly say that I’d care to hear?”

Alice hugged Tabby from the side. Her sister put her hand over her arms.

“Can you watch the kids Thursday? It’s back to school night. If you say no, maybe I can send Paul by himself.”

“I will be here. I need to see them. ”

Paul came out of the bedroom, asking if Alice was ready to go. She went to get her messenger bag. They listened to sports radio on the way in. Alice studied the river, thinking about The Cora. It was a building for goodness’ sake. Probably whatever developer bought it was going to turn it into a gaudy monstrosity she would never want to set foot in. That building needed to be cared for. Appreciated. There was so much history to it. The inside needed a lot of work, but the heart of that place was gold. Was. Because after Jonas got through putting in his poor excuse for a restaurant, nothing good could come out of it. No one with any taste Alice could respect would let Jonas into that space.

Cornelia told her she’d be an executive chef someday, promised to buy her first embroidered coat. But what if he’d been the one who couldn’t see what was real? What if what was around her—a cute food truck and catering company tied to one person’s generosity—was all she was going to get? The happiness she thought she found washed away under the reality of how far she stood from what she wanted.

#

DELANY STEPPED INTO CARVER’S BAKERY, filled with people enjoying a late lunch. He called Carver about an idea after he got to work Monday and Katy handed him his mail from while he’d been gone. Carver told him to come by the bakery. Not seeing him, Delany asked for Alice who came out of the kitchen a moment later.

“He’s on a call. Can I get you a coffee or…”

“I can wait with you.” He held back his smile. She led him into the kitchen. People in white coats or aprons worked on cakes and other desserts, some pulled food from the ovens, others worked at a stove. She stopped at a gray table in the center with two younger chefs on the other side .

“So?” She crossed her arms. They looked at each other. “There’s no wrong answer here. Which one do you prefer?”

Two mini pizzas sat on the table, one topped with a lavender, the other an orange flower he didn’t know. The first chef glanced at the other, as if waiting for them to speak.

“Delany.” Alice faced him. “Which do you prefer?”

The second chef cut him a thin slice of each. The first was salmon and rosemary, the lavender subtler than he expected. The second had a pesto base with tomatoes and a white cheese.

“What’s the flower?” he asked.

“Nasturtiums. So?” She tilted her head. It was a side of her he’d never seen, a peek behind the culinary curtain. It was a bit intimidating to be asked his opinion and he wasn’t expected to know tastes and flavors like the young kids next to him.

“I would never have thought of putting lavender on a pizza, but it’s nice once you get it.”

“Do you think people will leave the flower on?” the first chef asked. The second lowered his gaze.

“They might not if it’s not a group that knows to trust your tastes.” He caught Alice’s gaze, who blushed.

“Fine!” Alice threw up her hands playfully. “We can chop up some of the lavender and make people wonder what it is. It’s okay to state your opinion. I ask because I want to know.”

Carver came out of the office, asking Delany how he was. Delany reached for the rest of the lavender pizza and followed Carver into his office. He came to ask Carver about speaking at a luncheon at Howard later in the month for an incubator program trying to raise funds to invest in minority-owned businesses. Macon donated three million in seed money to get the fund going. He hoped Carver would come speak about his experience as a business owner.

Alice came in with a stack of checks she needed Carver’s signature on. He started to sign, Alice asking what Delany wanted. He repeated his request. She sat on the edge of the desk. Her purple apron protected her dark slacks from the mess of flour and other ingredients on the front. He loved the wrap in her hair the more times he saw it. This was her element, her court, where she did what she loved. He always loved practice more than the games when it was just the guys. Maybe she preferred days like this to events. It’s where she could play and do what she loved.

“Do they need a caterer?” she asked.

“Unfortunately, I think they already hired someone else.”

“Yeah, well their loss.” Alice took the signed checks and walked out. When he looked back, Carver smirked. Busted.

“I’ll send you the details.” Delany slipped out of the chair. Alice folded checks at a thinner table between the office and what appeared to be a pantry.

“You’re coming over later, right?” he asked.

She nodded. “I need to make a stop first.”

“Can I tag along?” He told Katy he would be working at home the rest of the afternoon, wanting to be there when Alice came over.

“Sure.” She reached for her apron, leaning in the office to tell Carver she was leaving.

“Have fun, you two.”

“Don’t start with me. Ready?” The blue T-shirt hit her frame just right. She pulled her messenger bag over it, directing him toward the back door.

“What were you doing back there?” He asked as they walked toward The Mall.

“The tasting? I want to help our staff understand flavors better and be willing to risk new things. We did these test meals when I worked for Cornelia where we’d present our ideas and get critiqued. It lets us play and try new things. It also taught us how to give and receive feedback. A lot of chefs have their R oh, she was enjoying this. Not wanting to let her down, Delany went to try. Katy put a glass near Alice then him. Delany kept himself from drinking half or, better yet, reaching for the bottle.

“Can I go look in the second bedroom for some stuff for your office?” Katy asked.

“You’re actually going to ask?” Delany tried to keep his tone light. Katy glared and took her glass of wine to the bedroom.

“What’s going on?” Alice asked.

“She wants to decorate my office. Calls it bare and ridiculous. I don’t care about it, but she says it would be a good idea.”

“I see.” She went back to her dough. A moment later the oven door opened, Alice sliding something inside. Katy called his name, Delany going to see what she wanted.

“Is it okay if I take this?” Two boxes held a collection of game balls and trophies, some mementos from his work with Comida. “Just tell me yes and I will get out of your hair.”

“It’s fine.” He glanced over his shoulder. “Take whatever. It doesn’t matter to me.”

“Says the guy with three gold medals!” She put a lid on the second box and stood. Delany scowled; Katy never cared about his career before. “People care about this stuff, use it to your advantage.” She picked up the box. “So, you and Alice.”

“Don’t go starting anything.”

She opened her mouth, taking a moment. “Delany, I value your privacy, you know that. It’s nice to know why you’re suddenly working at home twice a week.”

She went to tell Alice she was leaving .

“You can stay,” Alice said. Delany set the second box on the counter beside Katy.

“I have a mountain of things to do. Can you bring that box into work tomorrow?”

“What if I bring both of these and the merch you need me to sign. Not that I don’t trust the Metro.”

“No, I get it. Have a good night, Alice.”

“Bye,” Alice said hesitantly before turning back to the pan on the stove. Delany reached for his wine.

“What are you doing now?” He leaned on the counter close to her, Alice unable to hold his gaze.

“Getting the vegetables soft. I’m going to teach you to make a roux.” She motioned for him to take her place before setting an open bag of flour beside him.

“I don’t want to mess it up.”

“That’s why I’m here. Up to half a cup of flour and coat the veggies well.” He did as she said. She gave him a box of chicken stock to pour in slowly. Alice found her glass of wine, taking small sips. The timer went off. Delany backed up, Alice pulling a pie dish with dried beans in the center. She lifted the bowl made from butcher paper, a golden pie crust underneath.

“It’s called blind baking. It keeps the bottom from getting soggy. Do you mind grabbing the pan?” She handed him an oven mitt. He poured the thickened mix in. She covered the pie and pinched it closed before adding three slices in the top and covering it in beaten egg. He slid the pie back into the oven.

“Now we wait.”

“Grab your wine.” He refilled his and led her to the guest room. They avoided the boxes Katy just went through. He opened the door to the side balcony. She stepped out, taking in the view of Chinatown. He started to point out the Old Post Office Pavilion, wanting to tell her about his plans to renovate it.

“How did you find this place?” she asked .

He leaned onto the railing next to her. “Luck. I wanted to be near the arena. As I got older and started making more, I could afford to move up. I told the owner if this place ever came open to call me. I love it. Thanks for the cooking lesson.”

“Not as though you did much.” She scowled. He laughed. Her face got serious. “Can I ask you something, what do you see coming from all this? I mean—we’ve never talked about what you expect to get out of this. I need to know you’re not going to push me out or…”

“Do what I did to Tabby?”

Alice dropped her gaze. He sighed, still not understanding how Bobbie read the situation so wrong.

“I never meant to hurt your sister. I thought she knew.” He paused. “I don’t want your company. I’m not asking for shares. And I won’t take what you’re building here.”

“So why help me? Why do any of this?”

The answer must not be as transparent as he feared.

“Because this is what you want to do. It’s your thing, Alice. It’s what you love. If I can book some events with you and tell my friends what an amazing woman you are—what do I have to lose?” He realized what he said. “Chef. You’re an amazing chef.”

“This is more than a couple events, Delany.”

He wanted to lean down and kiss her. To be this close and yet know nothing could happen. He never desired to just be with someone else. He wanted her opinion on things and loved how she interacted with Helene. If she’d trust him with whatever happened to make her so guarded and cynical, he’d never give her a reason to doubt him. Realizing he had to say something he told himself to focus on what they were discussing.

“I don’t see you as my employee, Alice. You can stop taking my events at any time and that’s okay. This is me helping a friend.”

She nodded and smiled hesitantly, looking at the view. He made himself face forward, taking a longer sip of his wine. A friend. What if that was all she ever was to him?