“Hi Anne Marie, hello David,” I said, and they smiled warmly at me.
“Hello, Donovan. It’s a beautiful evening, isn’t it? We were just getting on our way. You two have a good night.” I caught Anne Marie giving Audra a wide-eyed smile, that she shook her head and brushed off after exchanging goodbyes. Interesting.
“What would your nanny say about you butting into a conversation on the street and taking a bag from a woman?” she questioned, a smirk tugging at her lips.
“Well, that’s tough. Interrupting, not good. Chivalrously taking a bag for a woman, good. Her reaction would depend on the day and the mood.” I laughed, and she joined me.
“I like her style,” she said. “But in all seriousness, thank you, Donovan. That was getting really heavy.”
“I bet! It’d be lighter if you didn’t stop and talk to everyone on the street, you know.”
“How do you know what I’m doing? Are you watching me?” She lifted her eyebrow, knowing she caught me.
“I was watching the world go by from my office,” I left out that I ended a phone call with an associate early to get to her. “But you didn’t quite go by. It appears you were lingering. Were you waiting outside my office window for me to notice you?” I said in playfulaccusation.
Her mouth dropped open, and she had a stunned smile. “No!” she argued. “I just … oh my gosh, no. You know I’m not doing that. My God, I have no idea why I’m turning red, that is absolutely not the case.” I had no idea how much fun it would be to get her flustered. The pink on her cheeks was so fucking adorable.
“I know, I’m just giving you a hard time”—I nudged her with my shoulder—"What’s in here anyway?”
“Oh, I’m trying a new recipe tonight! It’s a traditional carbonara, and I’m so excited. Well, it’s as close as I’m going to get. They don’t exactly sell guanciale here, so I had to settle for pancetta. But I’m not using cream! I know you said you would be open to letting me try recipes out on you. Want to come over?”
My face dropped before my words could come out, and she read the change immediately. “Oh, do you not like carbonara?”
“No, Audra, quite the opposite. It’s my favorite food. Of all time. Any time I’m in Italy or an authentic Italian restaurant in New York, it’s all I eat. I swear to God, it’s my favorite, bar none.”
“Oh, I take back my offer. There is no way you can come over if I’m making it for the first time, and I don’t even have all the right ingredients.”
“Please. Please let me come. I’m not above getting down on my knees and begging you right now. I haven’t had it at all since being here in Savannah Springs, and that was over fourteen months ago. I will do anything!”
“Anything?” She replied, lifting one eyebrow.
A carbonara from scratch? Yes. That was worth anything. “Yes. Name it. Please, just let me taste it.” I felt my lip quirk up as part of me wondered if I was talking about the carbonarawith my particular statement or if I just admitted to wanting to taste something else.
Her laugh rang out and carried on the breeze. “Fine, come over. But temper your expectations. I’m not usually nervous making things for the first time, but if it’s your favorite and you only eat authentic ones from Italy, that’s not exactly setting me up for success here.”
“I promise, I am a great taster. Remember, notoriously, not picky. Ready for anything.” I tried to take some of the expectations out. “Besides, I’m still thinking about those fajitas. If this is half as good, you will hold the record for the best two things I’ve eaten since being here.”But I bet eating her would be pretty high on that list.
“Alright, come on over. Follow me home.”
Following her a block away, I put her groceries in her trunk and ran back to get my car while she waited. I didn’t even care that I was in a suit and tie right now. All I cared about was that I was going back to Audra’s … to eat my favorite food. That was serendipity if I’ve ever seen it.
When we pulled up to her house, it was so … her. Quaint and adorable, it had the most charming porch with a swing, a couple of flower pots with questionable flowers, and a door that was painted lilac. I suppose it shouldn’t come as a surprise that it gave off cheerful vibes. A happy home for a woman who exuded it. Not only that, but as soon as I stepped inside, it was such a warm and welcoming space that I couldn’t help but smile.
Carrying the bag into the kitchen, I unloaded it when she called out from the front room, “There’s a bottle of nice wine in there that I can open. I mean, nice for me, probably not nice for you.”
“Easy to please, remember?” I called back and inspected thebottle. I wasn’t a wine snob, but I knew my way around it. This particular Frascati was a perfect pairing for a dish like carbonara. She had done her research, and my mouth was already watering.
She entered the kitchen, put her hair up in a ponytail, and made her way to the sink to wash her hands. “I’m sorry things are a little chaotic in here. I didn’t expect company. And I’m not sure what you’re expecting. You don’t have to like, cook, or anything. You can just keep me company and the wine glasses full.”
Was she brushing me off, or did she not like someone helping her in the kitchen? I imagine that could go either way with Audra. I got to work finding the wine opener and some glasses. Her kitchen wasn’t big, so as I was moving around gathering what I needed to, she accidentally tripped over my foot. I reached out around her waist to grab her and pulled her back up into my body, while she braced her hand on my chest. It was a more intimate moment that I expected it to be.
“Thank you for not letting me fall,” she said softly, looking up at me.
“I’m sorry I’m so clumsy in your kitchen—I’m a little distracted.” I left the rest of the sentence unsaid, but didn’t break her gaze.
Pulling away, she cleared her throat. “Okay, I want to remind you that I’ve never made this before. I’ve been watching videos and gathering tips, but if it is bad, I apologize in advance.”
I shook off the sexually charged moment. “You have got to be kidding me, right? You’re trying a new recipe that is famously difficult to do, especially on the first try. I’m impressed you’re even attempting this; I surewouldn’t. I won’t even try to distract you during the parts you need to pay extra attention to.”
