37 #2
Gia paced up to where Jerome was standing and started speaking to him, distracting his attention from the room.
Something Gia said caused him to furrow his brow momentarily.
She continued on regardless talking quickly and waving her hands in the air as she always did and then his eyes searched the room until they zeroed in on Dani.
For a split second Dani froze. The blatant way he looked at her caused her heart to beat in double time.
Gia patted his arm, then walked back to where Jamie was now positioning the cake on its designated table.
A soft smile curled over Jerome’s lips and he started to step towards the bar, but just as he moved, the doors opened and Joseph walked into the room, his parents just behind him and Jenny brought up the rear.
Dani watched Jerome shift smoothly into his working persona, greeting Joseph, his parents and Jenny, in turn.
Gia glided up to the newly arrived guests and, after the introductions, she guided them to where the welcome drinks were.
Dani watched on as more guests started to come through the door, all of them gazing around at the decor.
“Dani you’ve done an amazing job. It far exceeded my expectations.” Joseph smiled broadly at Dani as she arranged the wine bottles on the bar.
“Thank you, but it wasn’t all me. Gia and I did it together,” replied Dani.
Joseph chuckled, “Well, Gia told me it was all you, so who do I believe?” He winked at her and took a sip from his glass.
Dani suddenly felt awkward as he regarded her over the rim of his glass.
He was a nice guy but after he’d asked her to work for him she felt that she needed to tread carefully where he was concerned.
Equally though, she didn’t want to avoid talking about the Lodge.
So, in an attempt to break the awkwardness she asked about the hotel.
“It’s getting there. In hindsight, maybe I should’ve waited to open after the New Year, but I was desperate to have the spa up and running for over the holiday season and so I had to open at least part of the hotel. A couple more months and we’ll be a hundred percent operational.”
Dani nodded, pleased he seemed unfazed by her question.
“Well, I better go and mingle. After all I’m supposed to be the host of this party,” he smirked, then drained his glass and headed to where some more guests had just arrived.
It took roughly an hour for all the guests to arrive.
They spent some time drinking and mingling and then took their seats ready for the buffet dinner.
The deejay had set up and was now playing a selection of easy listening tunes from the seventies, from Stevie Wonder and Abba to Elton John and Fleetwood Mac, they were all obviously from a playlist specific to the Mann’s taste.
Joseph made a small speech thanking everyone who’d come to celebrate the anniversary of his parents and then slowly the guests made their way to buffet.
Gia checked her watch and then paced over to Joseph and his parents excusing herself, explaining she had a prior engagement.
She then went over to Jerome who was standing by the buffet and quickly kissed him goodbye, then she literally skipped out of the room, but not before catching Dani’s eyes and waving goodbye.
Once the guests were seated Pino, and Richard collected the wine bottles and made their way swiftly around the tables, serving them while Dani quickly prepared the few drinks orders for Augustino to serve.
As a team they worked well together and over the next hour the staff made sure all the guests were given a five star service.
Jerome watched on from the far end of the room, ensuring that all the guests were being attended to, his eyes occasionally falling on Dani.
She was preoccupied with the bar which meant he could watch her work safe in the knowledge that she was oblivious.
He really needed to thank her for the room; he hadn’t had a chance yet, what with Joseph’s arrival and his mother’s sudden departure.
Jerome moved smoothly around the room, talking to various guests.
Some were already customers of La Casa and the few that weren’t were surely going to be.
Dessert was then served and by nine o’clock it was time for cutting of the cake, along with more pink Prosecco for the toast. Carmen cut up the cake and plated it while Augustino and Richard served it, leaving Dani and Richard to pour the wine.
It had been a hectic couple of hours but as Joseph stood to make his final speech and toast, all the guests were relaxed and ready to enjoy the rest of their evening.
His speech was heartfelt and humorous, peppered with family jokes that caused both his parents to well up with emotion.
He moved swiftly on to thank Jerome, explaining that they were college friends and that he was pleased to reconnect with him after five years.
Joseph then thanked all the staff, giving Dani a special mention for her decorations.
After the guests toasted the couple, Joseph instructed the deejay to play his parents’ song so they could start the dancing.
The introduction to Barry White’s ‘You’re the first, my last, my Everything’, started and Mr and Mrs Mann made their way to the dance floor.
The area sectioned off for the dance floor soon began to fill up with couples dancing and the deejay carried on with another slow number.
Dani hummed along to 10cc ‘I’m not in Love’, as she prepared the cups and saucers for anyone who wanted coffee. She was thoroughly enjoying listening to the old music. It reminded her of her parents.
“Any chance you could make me an espresso?” Jerome’s raspy voice jolted her and Dani swung around. Jerome raised his eyebrows and grinned. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to startle you.”
Dani shook her head, “I was miles away. It’s been ages since I heard this song.”
“Yeah, he’s played some really good ones tonight, I forgot what a great era for music the seventies were.”
Dani pushed his espresso over towards him and he thanked her.
“It looks like everyone’s having a good time.”
“Yeah, they’re really happy with everything, especially the decorations.” He eyed her over his cup as he took a sip.
“Oh.” Dani felt her face flush.
“You did an incredible job, Dani.”
“Um, thank you. But Gia helped too.”
Jerome cocked his head to the side and regarded her. He knew his mother had helped out but the majority of the work had been done by Dani. His mother had confirmed this fact too. Apart from being hardworking and accomplished, she was modest too.
“Well, Mama says otherwise. You’re making yourself quite indispensable again. A few of the guests have asked to hire out the room based on what you’ve created here.” Jerome swept his hand vaguely in the direction of the room as he spoke.
“Oh. Well that’s good, I mean good for the restaurant.”
“Yes it is. We need to get together.” Jerome leaned on the bar, resting his arm on the marble top and shifted his gaze back to the room. He’d purposely avoided coming over to the bar most of the evening but now once the party was in full swing he just felt compelled to be closer to Dani.
“I’m sorry?” Dani flushed unsure if she’d heard him right.
“We need to sort out the websites, the Facebook page, remember?” he turned back to look at her arching his brow.
“Oh. Yes. Sure. Well you tell me when it’s convenient.” She swallowed hard and turned her attention back to re-shuffle some cups nervously.
“Perhaps after New Year. Things will have slowed down a bit and I’ll have more time to spend with you…” he paused a moment and Dani looked up sharply at him waiting for what he was about to say. Jerome took in a deep breath. “So we can get everything updated, I mean,” he added.
“Sure,” Dani said quietly, then she turned to the back of the bar avoiding any more conversation.
Dani’s heart was racing. Why was this time of year so emotionally charged?
Jesus, he was just so intense, making it harder for her every moment they were spending together, and the thought of working so closely with him filled her with both excitement and fear.
Jerome moved his focus back to the room, aware that he’d crossed the line again. Dani’s reaction had confirmed it to him, but for that moment he didn’t care. Joseph caught his eyes from the far end of the room and headed towards the bar.
Thankfully Pino came up and gave Dani a coffee order, then left to clear a table, meaning Dani could busy herself, relieving her of Jerome’s scrutinising gaze.
The music had moved to more lively numbers and the guests were now dancing to ‘Earth Wind and Fire’ and thoroughly enjoying themselves.
Dani placed the coffee order on the bar for Pino, who’d come back again to collect it, just as Joseph reached Jerome.
“Well everyone’s very impressed Jerome,” said Joseph as he leaned on the bar.
“Thank you. I’m pleased your parents are having such a good time.”
“They are.” Joseph’s eyes flitted to Dani and he smiled at her, then he turned back to Jerome. “You can’t drink coffee. This is a party. Come on, what shall we have?”
Jerome huffed, “I’m working remember?”
“Come on, your staff have everything under control. The meal’s been served; it’s just drinks now,” Joseph coaxed.
“Isn’t that right Dani?” he shifted his focus to a now nervous Dani.
She shrugged, not wanting to put Jerome on the spot.
“I mean, it’s Christmas and we’re celebrating forty years of marriage, surely that’s worth a drink? ”
Jerome shook his head and stifled a grin. “Okay, just one though.”
Joseph grinned and rubbed his hands together. “Great, so what are we drinking?”
“Tequila.” Jerome shot a look at Dani and she smirked.
“Excellent. What have you got?” Joseph grinned.
“Give me a second, I’ve a rather special bottle in my office.” Jerome turned and headed towards the door.