The Caterer

Chapter 48

D ELANY OPENED THE DOOR to the bakery fresh off his lunch with Tabby. Carver raised his hand hello, Delany asking if Alice was there. Carver told him to come on back. Her laugh floated out of the kitchen. She stood at a mixer with the guy from the basketball event, whose hand rested on the table as he faced her, Alice laughing.

“Hey, Mr. C,” the boy said. Alice looked over her shoulder, her smile fading.

“What do you want?” she asked.

“Can we talk?”

She led him into the office. He knew what he wanted to say—he was sorry, he loved her. He’d been an idiot and if she would trust him one more time, he would be the man Alice thought he was. The man he’d been too scared to acknowledge was waiting to be called out, one that could make it on his own, one that wanted to be open and engaged with the world around him. One more chance and she’d never have to take Bobbie or Nadia talking down to her again. He saw it now. Things were different. “Your sister told me what happened with your food truck.” He had practiced what he was going to say. If she didn’t want to be with him, he at least wanted her in his life on a business level. She had put too much into things to walk away because he was too blind to see the truth.

“Tabby told you that?” Alice crossed her arms and shifted.

“I saw her the other day. What are you going to do?”

“I don’t know. The police think they have a suspect, but I can’t get the insurance money until things shake out more.”

“I’d like to replace it for you, give you the best of what’s out there. Let you be able to work events. Make it so Carver doesn’t have to drive separately.”

“That’s not necessary.” She slid her hands into her back pockets.

“It’s not a big deal. I’d love to…”

“No. I mean I won’t take it. I don’t want it from you.”

He hoped this would go better. The level of pain radiating from her was more than he expected. But if he’d been in her place, put down by those closest to her, had his name disparaged for jealousy and self-preservation, he might not be that congenial either. Still, with what was coming, it would be so much easier if she stood there with him. It only felt doable if Alice was in his corner. He hoped Tabby mentioning her might be a sign she was open to seeing him. Now it was obvious the sisters had not talked. Whatever sweet reunion he hoped for faded under the reality of where their decisions placed them. He would never regret offering to help her, that decision changed everything for the better.

“I was talking to Collins, and we’d love for you to take the restaurant at The Cora.”

“You want me to what?” She drew in a long breath. “I won’t work for Jonas.” Her voice heaved with pain. He’d never ask her to do that. How could he? Just let them go back to that night in his apartment when existing became living. He finally found the one he loved.

“No. It would be yours. Executive Chef. Cook whatever you want. State of the art kitchen in your favorite place.” He waited. Something moved out the corner of his eye. Carver stood outside the open door, eyes wide, nodding at Alice.

“You don’t have to do this.” She sounded so defeated.

“I know I don’t have to.” He moved around the desk. Alice pulled her hands free and tried to step back. Delany reached for her upper arms, pulling her to him.

“You deserve this, Alice. Come on. I’m sorry.” He stopped himself from saying he loved her. She said it to him, and he’d been too lost in things to hear it. She loved him. Loved. Now Delany saw that that door was closed.

The restaurant should have been hers the whole time. It was the only thing he had left to give. To make her happy, he’d give up his dream of living there and helping it come back to life. He’d back out of the hotel and own it in title only, watching her soar from afar. He’d never go on another Comida trip. Just let her do what she was meant to.

“I can’t. Find someone else.” She backed away and walked out of the office and straight through the rear door of the kitchen. Carver started to say something, the sound catching in his throat. Delany walked into the kitchen.

“She’ll come around,” Carver said.

“I don’t blame her for not.”

“Listen, don’t give our events away, someone from this company will be there. Have your admin call me.” Carver gave Delany his card.

“Will do. Have a good day, okay?”

“Yeah.” Carver let him leave. He walked into the daylight and flagged down a taxi. It was a short ride to his lawyer’s office. The man shook his hand and asked how he was. Not good. They went over the paperwork. Delany failed one woman he loved; he would not fail his daughter too. She deserved to be raised around women who did not take and lie and steal. How had he missed it for so long? He shook the thoughts away and focused on what was before him. Something new was coming.