5 #5
“Thanks. See you tomorrow.” Dani picked up her box with her cheesecake in, and walked to the back of the restaurant and down to the changing rooms.
She quickly changed into her wellingtons, put on her mac and picked up the holdall and new uniform.
She then made her way up to the back entrance which led to a small area set aside for, she presumed, the staff to smoke.
It was sectioned off from the car park, making it private so customers couldn’t see them.
Dani looked at the ashtray, which was full of water from the drizzle, and felt her nicotine craving come back.
Thankfully, the drizzle had now stopped, though the air was heavy with damp.
Dani looked down at the polystyrene box and she opened it.
Nothing beats a nicotine craving like a serious sugar rush.
The first thing that hit Dani was the exquisite smell of toasted almonds.
Dani contemplated saving it until she got home.
Not a chance – who was she kidding? Without any cutlery, she’d have to just use her hands.
She rummaged in her bag for a tissue and was pleased to find some antibacterial wipes.
Great, she thought, at least she wouldn’t have sticky fingers.
She carefully picked up the delicate slice and took a bite.
She moaned as she savoured the amazing combination of creamy, crunchy, sweet and an ever-so-slightly tart combination of the vanilla cream.
Pure heaven. She took a second bite from the decadent slice and the light crust crumbled, dropping the other half into the box.
“You look like you’re enjoying that.”
Fuck! Dani gulped and clenched her eyes tight, cringing.
Slowly, she turned as she quickly licked her lips from crumbs and turned to be faced with the glorious vision that was Jerome Ferretti.
He was smirking at her as he stood by the door with a lit cigarette in his hand as his eyes twinkled with amusement.
“Sorry. I’m afraid I’m having a sugar craving since I quit smoking.” She licked her fingers free of the creamy remnants and Jerome’s eyes intensified slightly.
“How long is it since you quit?”
“A week and…” Dani looked at her watch. It was two fifteen. “…six hours and fifteen minutes.”
Jerome threw his head back and laughed out loudly.
H-o-l-y cow! God, he looked even more breath-taking when he let his guard down, thought Dani.
His whole face lit up and his face creased around his sculptured mouth. “How’s that working out for you?” he asked as he took a deep drag on his cigarette, then let out the smoke in a steady stream, his eyes steady on hers.
Dani lifted up the box and shrugged as a form of explanation. Jerome laughed again and Dani’s heart skipped a beat as his eyes glittered.
“Well, I’d better be off.” Dani closed up the box and put it into her hold all, then quickly wiped her hands with a wipe.
“Do you know where you’re going?”
“Er… Yes, thanks. See you tomorrow.”
Jerome narrowed his eyes and nodded. “See you tomorrow.” His mouth twitched into a smile.
Dani quickly walked through the car park and on to the street. She reached into her bag for her smartphone and pressed the map app. She waited for it to load then checked out her direction.
Okay, left then straight. She walked towards the direction of the city centre in the cool afternoon air, glad to be away from Jerome. She really was going to have to get over this crush. They’d be working together, for goodness sake.
She’d walked about a hundred metres when she heard the familiar roar of a car engine. Her heart stopped. Surely not.
The black car slowed down by Dani and Jerome let the passenger window slide down. “Get in, Dani. By the time you find the station, the rain will have started again.” He motioned to some ominous black clouds.
“You really didn’t need to…”
“Just get in Dani,” he interrupted.
Crap. Dani opened up the car door and slid into the ridiculously low car.
The same music was playing in the car as last time and Dani racked her brain to remember the singer.
She smiled tightly at him as he watched her put on her seat belt, before he pulled out onto the road.
Dani’s heart raced. She couldn’t believe he’d left the restaurant to drive her to the station.
She felt a shiver go up her spine, thrilled that he had.
She focused on the shops they passed and then her eyes moved to his left hand that rested on the wheel.
His wedding ring glinted. Dani smiled, remembering that before she’d met Gia she’d thought the Mrs Ferretti that Chef referred to was his wife, not his mother.
She also remembered her relief that she wasn’t.
Well he must be married. She looked again at his ring.
“How are you getting to work?” His voice jolted Dani out of her unsettling thoughts.
“I’ll drive. I have a car.”
“Ah yes, I remember. GPS.” Dani smiled, pleased that he had.
“If you don’t want to drive, we do provide a taxi service to take you home.”
“Oh, I might consider that when I sell my car.”
Jerome stopped at the lights and turned to look at her. “You’re selling your car?” he sounded surprised.
“Er… yes. It’s not very practical.”
He furrowed his brow at her comment. “Practical?”
“Or rather, it’s not really me.”
Jerome looked confused and Dani smiled at his expression.
“What car is it?”
“Porsche.”
“Porsche?”
“Yes. Not me at all.”
“No, it doesn’t suit you,” he agreed, looking puzzled.
Dani shrugged, “I know, I’m more of a Smart girl.”
Jerome laughed, “Yes, you really are a smart girl!”
“No, I didn’t mean it that way.” She shook her head as she chuckled at his comment.
Jerome set off as the lights changed. “Oh, I know you didn’t. I’m just messing with you.”
Dani grinned as she looked at him. She took in his immaculate profile and let her eyes drop to his throat where she watched his Adam’s apple work on a swallow. Jeez, he was so damn good looking, all designer stubble and chiselled jaw.
“Here we are.” He pulled into the parking bay and stopped. He turned to look at her and she flushed as he caught her staring at him. Dani fumbled with the seat belt and opened the door.
“Thanks for the lift. Again,“ she joked, trying to defuse her nervousness with humour.
“No problem.”
Dani pulled herself out of the car and then bent down to look at Jerome. “What’s this car?” she asked.
Jerome raised his eyebrows at the question. “My car?”
Dani nodded.
“It’s a Maserati.”
“Italian?” smirked Dani.
Jerome laughed, “Yes, it’s Italian.”
“Of course it is. Well it really suits you. Thanks for the ride and ciao.”
Jerome’s jaw dropped a little as she closed the door before he could reply.