Chapter 18

Chapter 18

Days later, Dani was standing in the restaurant kitchen, impressed. Marcello's pasta chef, a sixty-year-old woman with poor hearing, rolled a perfect sheet of dough and began slicing off precise strips of linguini by hand. Perfetto. Slowly Dani strolled past the staff, touching and tasting, praising and correcting.

They had been at it all week, perfecting a rhythm, getting to know the kitchen and each other. Now they had twenty-four hours until the soft launch and all were aware that Marcello was counting on them. Day and night they were in the kitchen working on versions of the dishes they plucked from Marcello's menu book. It kept her busy, too busy to think about Toni.

After the incident at the museum, they had come to a new understanding. They were dating for however long she was staying in Milan. No more rules or denying feelings. It would have been idyllic, except Toni had an emergency at one of his warehouses and stayed in Milan for a couple days.

There had been some sexting and a few filthy phone calls, but it wasn't enough to quench her need to touch him in the flesh. He'd arrived hours ago, hell-bent on making love to her, until he saw the dining room staff waiting for him.

Dani lifted her head to stare into the dining room. Toni was introducing the wines to the waitstaff. She couldn't hear him and watched as he poured tastings into each of their glasses and spoke animatedly with his hands.

She had to admit, the reprieve allowed her some much-needed kitchen time, and it showed. The staff was coming together nicely. Now all they needed to do was step into their light.

Standing off to the side, Liam caught her looking and gave her a cheeky wink. She returned his teasing with a frown and quickly turned, running headlong into her sous-chef carrying a rack full of lemon tarts. Her white coat looked like a Jackson Pollock painting.

"I'm sorry, Chef."

"No, Dao, it's my fault." She swiped some of the tart from her jacket. "That's pretty good."

"Is everything all right?"

Her heart thudded uncontrollably at Toni's voice. She only half turned.

"We're fine. Just a dessert mishap."

Toni moved closer, stuck his fingertip in one of the broken tarts and sucked the filling from his finger.

"That's divine." He picked up the tart. "May I?"

"Of course."

He took a bite. Dani tore her gaze from his lips and took the opportunity to skirt away. But he was right behind her, licking his fingers.

"Can I talk to you?"

He was wiping his hands on a towel when she turned and looked at him. He was casual in an old soccer jersey that hugged his biceps. His clear gaze was questioning.

She nodded and bit her cheek against her body's memory of how good he felt against her.

"Step into my office," he joked. He followed her into the meat locker, the only place in the kitchen with privacy.

"What's up?"

"How is Dao doing?"

"Great. He's very efficient. I see why Marcello chose him."

"Good."

There was a long pause before Toni moved toward her.

"You're really close."

"It's cold. I'm conserving heat."

She stepped back and found herself against a leg of lamb. "Is there more to discuss?"

"My mother is coming back tonight. She is picking up Sophia and they are going to join us for dinner."

"A trial run? Okay, that's great."

"Is the kitchen ready?"

"Should I be insulted that you just asked me that?"

"You did just have an accident."

"We're getting used to the space. We're ready. I just wish Marcello could have blessed the menu."

"The menu looks perfect." Toni's chilled breath brushed her ear as he leaned closer. "What would you do if I kissed you right now?"

She was finding it hard to breathe. "I'd run screaming."

"Would you?" He chuckled, leaning in. "Did you think about me while I was gone?"

"No," Dani whispered, fighting the urge to touch him.

"Liar. Sophia passed her last test."

"Good for her."

"I told her to bring that boy to the launch. I want to meet him."

"Oh right. Now she is free to enjoy the opposite sex again."

"I was thinking of letting you enjoy me."

"Oh, just being considered is enjoyment enough."

"Dani, you can't avoid me forever," he said, his voice as thick as honey.

"I'm not avoiding you, I'm working. As you should be," she teased.

She pushed him aside, letting her fingers linger a little too long on his chest as she moved past him.

"Let me know when they get here," she tossed over her shoulder before exiting the freezer.

A few hours later Dani was finishing the garnish on a chocolate cake when she saw something whizz by the window to the garden.

Stretching her neck, she saw a blur of long dark hair and long legs stop a soccer ball, then execute a massive volley. Dani moved closer as Sophia fished a ball from the bushes, then threw it back out.

Dani inhaled when Toni ran into her view, expertly maneuvering the ball and kicking it back to his daughter. Despite the chilled afternoon, Toni had removed his shirt, giving Dani a reminder of just how hard his torso was.

Her lips had been all over that tattoo.

Sophia spotted Dani watching. She jumped up and waved at the window, prompting Toni to wave, as well. Dani blushed at his slow smile and laughed when Sophia kicked a ball right into his chest.

Hours later Dani kept a watchful eye from the kitchen as Grace and Sophia were served their meal. Liam and Toni coached the staff from a distance while six courses were served and cleared. Grace sliced her fork into the last course, a chocolate cake garnished in a Lambrusco sauce she made from their family wine. Another bite was tasted, then sent away. Dani wrung her hands and made mental notes of all the things the kitchen could do better.

Timing, for one, the third course was late. Prepping, for another. The only parmesan left had been aged three years, she would have preferred the five-year. She heard footsteps in the hall outside the kitchen. Dani checked that the buttons on her coat were still buttoned, ready to defend herself. They'd only had days to prepare. The new saucier was excellent, but still learning the menu.

The staff froze when Grace burst through the double doors, Toni, Liam and Sophia trailing behind. The stern look on her face said it all. Dani opened her mouth to apologize, but instead was wrapped in a strong bear hug then held her at arm's length.

"I prayed to the Virgin last night that Marcello would get stronger and that our restaurant would be a success. I heard nothing. Today, I saw her face in that velvet artichoke soup. And when I tasted it, I knew." Grace clapped her hands and smiled.

Dani waited for more, hoping that Grace's beaming face was a good thing.

"Mamma, please, just say you liked it." Toni winked at Dani.

"Liked it? I loved it! Brava. Brava!"

"I did too! I want more cake," Sophia piped up from her father's side, and Dao fixed her another slice.

Dani felt relief wash over her. "Grace, I know it wasn't perfect. But it will be. I promise."

"I'm going to get the champagne. We are celebrating!" Grace kissed both of Dani's cheeks and thanked the staff. Her praises to the heavens could be heard fading down the hall.

Dao snapped his fingers and the staff began to clean. Liam waved a goodbye while Toni walked to stand right in front of her. He leaned in a little and spoke for her ears only.

"If we were alone I'd kiss you right now."

"Is that all?" She was feeling good, flirty. Happy. And she began to recognize that look in his eye, just as her body began to automatically respond to it.

His gaze flicked to the long marble tabletop littered with flour and freshly rolled tortellini. "No, we'd have to break in this island."

"Like we did the tasting bar?"

"Exactly."

"I was thinking you could be spread out this time. That Lambrusco sauce might taste good licked from your torso."

He blinked and licked his lips, a glaze appearing over his eyes. Toni was a take-charge type of guy, which was evident in his life, and his sex. She'd wondered how he'd respond if she was the assertive one, and she reveled in his primal reaction, making her feel a bit like Venus in her half shell.

Dani caught movement out of her eye. Sophia was watching them. She took a deep breath and stepped back. "Sophia is done with her dessert. And she's watching."

"I'd like dessert." She knew he wasn't talking about chocolate cake.

"Dao, could you cut Toni a piece of cake. Extra Lambrusco sauce."

"You're lucky you're surrounded by people," he whispered. "If we were alone, I'd already be inside you."

Dani's insides went liquid.

Toni stepped back and took his plate. "Thank you, Dao. Nice job, everyone. My family and I can't thank you enough."

Grace returned with champagne and raised her glass to the staff. "Salute," said the room and in that moment it felt like everything was falling into place.

The day of the soft launch was a blur and Toni was doing his best to keep everything together. The deliveries were late, a light rain started and several RSVPs still hadn't been confirmed. By the afternoon, the dining room tables were covered in white, soft music lilted through the air, and the lighting inside and outside of the restaurant was romantically staged. Fresh flowers perfumed the hallways, the bar was filled and the wine locker was open. Their well-trained staff manned each room. Toni caught a glimpse of himself in the hallway.

His navy suit was impeccable and hid the fact that he was sweating, hard. Quick steps led him to the kitchen doors. He peered through the window and found Dani in her black coat and Crocs, vigorously stirring a pot and yelling out orders. He smiled when he saw Sophia in a white coat in the corner with the pasta chef.

"Don't stare, you'll make her nervous," his mother said behind him.

"How is she doing?"

"Wonderfully. I've sneaked in and tasted a few things. Brilliant. Just brilliant. This is going to be a defining moment. I can feel it."

Toni wished he could mimic his mother's optimism. The critic from The Taste had not RSVP'd. Maybe it didn't matter. The man moved in secret, so there was a possibility he could show up. But that wasn't his only problem. His ex-wife was definitely coming. He just prayed she didn't make a scene.

Dani caught Toni at the window and lifted her brows, a silent question. He just smiled and shook his head, then blew her a kiss. She blew one back, then got back to work. He nodded his head, a defining moment indeed.

Dani wiped her brow and took a slow steady breath. Basil, oregano, paprika, she began her calming ritual just as they were putting the finishing touches on the third course. So far everything was going smoothly and from her vantage point, Dani could see that the dining rooms were full. A few beautiful people lounged in the tasting room and she caught a few journalists trying to get a peek into the kitchen, but Grace was like a gentle bear, directing everyone back to the main house. Dani turned back to her food, trying to ignore the fact that her mother still hadn't shown up.

"Dani, are you going to stay now?"

Sophia carefully placed each pasta roll into the boiling water while Dani concentrated on getting just the right spices in her white sauce. "What do you mean, love?"

"I mean, are you still going back to New York?"

"Well, I'm not sure about New York, but once this is up and running and Marcello comes back, I'll have to figure something out."

"You could stay here, in Milan."

"I doubt it, sweetie, Milan doesn't need any more chefs," she chuckled, focusing on the food, unaware of Sophia's frown and the slump of her shoulders. Dani heard the double doors of the kitchen open and expected to see Grace.

She froze when Andre slowly walked farther into her kitchen, a smile on his face that didn't reach his eyes.

"What the hell are you doing here?" Her staff faltered at his presence, but Dani gave them all a look to keep working.

"I was invited," he said, his voice as smooth as dirty silk.

"No, you were not. Get out."

"Actually, I'm here with the editor of Good Food, she got the invite. You look well. The food is...it's fantastic."

"If you have something to say, say it, then please leave."

"I'm sorry. Bette and I are no longer together. The TV show fell through. Actually, it's all falling apart. We lost a Michelin star since you've left. I came to ask if you would consider coming back. The staff needs you."

Dani's mind raced, unsure if what she was hearing was real. Andre there apologizing. It was what she dreamed of, and yet she didn't care. She wasn't even going to dignify his question with an answer.

"If that's all, please go. We are busy."

His head hung, and then he nodded. "Maybe we can talk later," he murmured before slipping through the doors. Grateful he didn't cause a scene, Dani turned toward Sophia, but the young girl was gone.

Just as the fourth course was being served, Dani ran downstairs to the staff restrooms. The next course of entrées was running through her mind when she ran headlong into a tall blonde in a fur coat. Ava. What the hell was she doing down there?

"You," she sneered. "I can understand him wanting something a little different, but you're not even on the spectrum, are you?"

"If you are talking about the spectrum where a smart woman can feed a man when he's hungry and has enough curves to satisfy a man when he needs it, then you and I aren't even on the same planet."

Ava's eyes glittered with hatred. "I'm going to get him back."

"No, you won't."

Dani grinned at Ava's wide eyes, and then she left the model there to stew while she used the ladies' room. She had a job to do and Ava wasn't going to get to her anymore.

Dani rushed back to the kitchen only to find Dao in a frenzy.

"A woman came in looking for Sophia, then told the staff they were doing a horrible job. I led her out."

Dani let out an exasperated breath. Ava. She should tell Toni, but there was no time. "That was Sophia's mother. You did the right thing, Dao. I don't think she'll be coming back. Let's get the fifth course ready."

"Chef!" Liam stood just inside the doors holding four plates of entrées. His eyes wide with horror. "They are sending them back."

Dani's heart seized. "What? Why!"

The server tossed the plates on the island. "Too spicy."

Dani grabbed a fork and jammed the food into her mouth. She spit it out. Then tried the other three. All the same. Cayenne pepper. But how? The spice was burning her mouth, just like she could feel her career and the restaurant burning up in flames. She slumped over the entrées ready to cry. She looked up from the island to see Toni just inside the doors, his face like stone.