6
First Day
Adam pulled up outside La Casa d’Italia and killed the engine. “You look nervous, Dani.”
“I am, a bit.” She unbuckled her belt.
“You’re very early.” It was ten to nine. “What will you do until ten thirty?”
“I really want to get acquainted with everyone and the place.”
Adam nodded.
“Is anyone in?” he peered over to the car park of the restaurant.
There were four cars parked in it. Dani looked to where he was looking and she felt a little thrill when she recognised Jerome’s Maserati.
She was sure Chef said he hardly spent time here.
Maybe he just checked in. She nervously adjusted her ponytail and fingered through her fringe.
“Nice car,” whistled Adam as he spotted the Maserati.
“Yes, it’s Jerome’s, the owner.” Dani tried hard to keep a ‘matter of fact’ tone in her voice.
“Oh. The others?”
Dani shrugged. Adam narrowed his eyes at her, and Dani felt nervous as he watched her fumble for the handle. She realised he was trying to work out why she knew Jerome’s car and not the owners of the other three.
“I think they’re Chef’s, Capo’s and Mrs Ferretti’s. What type of cars are they?”
Adam looked over and squinted through his glasses. “Alfa Romeos and a Fiat,” he replied.
“Yeah then, they’re their cars. They seem to have a preference to all things Italian.” Dani shrugged and pulled herself out of the car.
“You’re sure about getting the bus home?”
“Yeah, I’ll drive down for the evening shift. I think I’m getting to know the way now.”
Dani threw him a smile as he pulled away from the curb.
She walked towards the back entrance, away from the car park, rounded the wall that shielded the back door and the smoking table, and pushed open the door.
She was immediately greeted by a wonderful sugary lemon aroma.
She headed straight to the kitchen and walked in through the door.
Capo was busy talking to a supplier but his face lit up when he saw Dani. “Buongiorno, Dani! First day, eh?”
“Buongiorno, Capo. Yes, it is. It smells delicious.
“ Dani’s eyes rested on Carmen, who was busy whipping up a creamy mixture.
“Morning, Carmen. Thanks for my cheesecake – it was to die for,” she groaned.
Dani had managed to save a small piece for Chloe, who was seriously unsatisfied with the small morsel she got to try. “What are you making?”
“Limoncello and lemon cream tart.”
Dani’s mouth pooled with saliva as she thought of it. “Sounds like heaven. I love lemon,” she huffed and backed away as if it was too tempting and Carmen laughed.
“I’ll give you some to try later.”
“Oh no, Carmen, I can’t…”
“Nonsense. You need to try everything so you can recommend it to the customers. The first batch is ready.”
“I’m going to have to work out every day if you’re going to make me try everything, Carmen. Espresso anyone?”
“Si, Dani.“ Capo winked at her as she left the kitchen.
Dani placed her holdall on the floor by the bar, which contained her work shoes, a towel and a few cosmetics.
She needed to invest in a few backup items to keep at work, maybe some spare shoes.
Her heart sunk as she thought about her last night working at the bar.
If she’d had a spare pair there, she’d have never caught Jez out.
What troubled her was that she wasn’t sure if she was sad or pleased about that.
The restaurant was lit only by the lights over the bar and the light coming from the kitchen.
The dull day outside did little to brighten up the restaurant through the large windows.
Well at least it wasn’t raining today. As Dani started to use the coffee machine, she glanced up at all the bottles housed on the shelves.
She should really be taking note of them all.
Grappa, calvados, Armagnac, Cognac, Campari, amaretto, Martini and limoncello were on the first shelf.
Dani wasn’t accustomed to seeing such a diverse selection.
The bar in Kingston focused on the more popular drinks.
Here, there was a huge array of liqueurs.
Her eyes drifted over to the counter, where she picked up the drinks menu and leafed through it.
She absent-mindedly placed the cups onto the coffee machine and pressed the button.
Even the coffee menu was extensive, she thought.
She’d really need to study this. She’d pored over the menu last night, trying hard to commit every dish to memory, but she knew it would take her a few days yet.
There were so many dishes and Italian words she wasn’t familiar with. Maybe she should start Italian lessons.
“Is that for Capo?” His now familiar raspy voice made Dani start.
She swung round and caught her breath at the sight of Jerome casually sat on a bar stool, staring straight at her in a way that made her feel uneasy and thrilled at the same time.
His stunning blue eyes swept over her. He’d obviously been to the gym as he was dressed in a grey hoodie with a towel tucked around his neck and matching jogging pants. Sweat glistened on his brow.
“Yes,” she forced out. Oh my… how long had he been watching her?
“I’ll take it to him.” He slipped off the stool and waited for Dani to pass it to him. “Could you make me one?”
“Sure.” Dani blinked.
“A double, please.” His sculptured lips twitched.
Dani nodded and turned away to face the coffee machine as he continued to study her, her face flaming, then he rushed into the kitchen with Capo’s coffee.
Dani could hear them talking in Italian with a few English words peppering their conversation.
Dani squirmed inwardly as she listened. Jerome sounded so damn sexy when he spoke Italian.
He could have been talking about the price of fish for all she knew, but it still sounded so seductive.
Dani busied herself, placing the coffee cup on a saucer as she heard him come back through.
She’d go down to the staff changing room and get settled in.
She sipped her espresso nervously. Why did she feel so self-conscious and flurried around him?
She’d really needed to get a grip. She reminded herself again that they were going to be working together and he was more or less her boss.
Although… Chef did say Jerome spent less time here.
“Carmen sent you this to try.” He placed a dessert plate with a slice of the lemon tart on it.
She’d even presented it with lemon swirls, mint leaves and seared the top in a criss-cross pattern.
Dani flushed. Jerome sat on the stool and smirked.
“You’re here early.” He cocked his head to look at her as Dani placed his coffee on the bar. “Thanks.”
“I wanted to get acquainted with everything.”
Jerome nodded and pushed the plate towards her. “Well you seem to be getting very acquainted with the desserts.”
Dani’s face dropped. Oh no, she was getting Carmen in trouble.
He chuckled. “Capo’s recipe is the best limoncello and lemon cream tart.
You need to try all the menu,” he reassured her, realising she’d misunderstood his previous remark.
“There are some spoons under the counter.” He pointed and Dani relaxed a little.
“One of your favourites is it?” Dani asked. He watched as she grabbed two spoons.
He furrowed his brow as she pushed a spoon over to him. “Yes, I love lemon.”
“Me too… but I can’t eat it all. So we can share.” She gestured towards the dessert with a smirk.
Jerome pursed his lips and twisted his mouth. “After what I witnessed yesterday, I think you could easily eat it all.”
Dani grinned up at him as his eyes lit up, “Yes, you’re right. I could, but I shouldn’t.”
Jerome nodded slowly and smiled a sexy smile that had Dani captivated for a few seconds. “Are you always so… self-controlled, Dani?” His voice dropped a little as he spoke.
Dani swallowed hard as her mouth dried. Ha!
Self-controlled? Her? “When I need to be,” she answered.
His eyes were still on hers and she had to look away.
Dani cut into the tart and popped it into her mouth, needing to occupy herself with something delicious, other than Jerome.
It was, of course, mouth-wateringly divine and she couldn’t suppress a small moan. “That’s absolutely… wow!”
Jerome clenched his teeth and his eyes widened as he watched her.
“I think I may have changed my mind,” Dani joked, hoping to lighten what seemed to be a rather intense atmosphere.
It worked. Jerome let out a loud laugh, which lit up his whole brooding face.
Dani’s heart stopped for a split second.
She didn’t think he could look any better, at least not until she saw him in these rare unguarded moments.
He picked up his spoon and cut a piece. “You look quite determined. I have to say I’m a little scared.”
“You should be. Desserts are my weakness and now I’ve stopped smoking, they are my one and only vice. I can be quite ruthless, violent even.” Shit! Stop the flirting! He’s your boss! She watched him chew slowly and swallow.
“I’ll bear that in mind. Never come between you and a dessert,” he chuckled, taking a smaller piece, then holding it in the air as he continued to watch her.
Quick, change the subject… “I’m going to have to start a strict exercise regime if I’m going to sample the menu.”
“Why do you think I work out every day?” He raised his eyebrows and popped the tart in his mouth. Dani focused on his chiselled face as his tongue slowly stroked over his lips, relishing the flavour.
Dani shrugged and grinned, trying hard not to imagine what his body must look like under his sweatshirt.
Then, as if he’d read her mind, Jerome loosened the towel from around his neck and unzipped his top, revealing a grey T-shirt, which clung to his sweat-drenched torso.
Holy fuck! He rubbed the towel over his face, then set it on his knee.
Dani quickly placed a piece of tart in her mouth, then set down the spoon. “I’d better go get settled in.”