“May I be completely honest?”she asked.
He slid into the booth.“Of course.”
“I’m a little embarrassed to admit that I have no idea what makes gelato different from regular ice cream.”
“It’s all about the air,” he said confidently.“Gelato is churned at a much slower rate than ice cream.That means it incorporates less air, which makes it a lot denser than ice cream.It’s served at a slightly warmer temperature.That gives it a softer, silkier texture.Gelato also has a lower fat content, which means the main flavor notes are more intense.”
Claire grinned, seeing the passion in his eyes as he spoke.
“Wow.You really know your frozen desserts.”
“Oh God, I’m so sorry.”Jay blushed.“Occupational hazard.”
“Jay isn’t really your name, is it?You’re Ben, aren’t you?”she teased.“Or maybe you’re Jerry.”
“Actually, I’m just a nerd with a PhD in Biochemistry.”
“DoctorJay?”She whistled.“And you specialize in gelato?”
He laughed.“Only as a consumer.I’m a chemist.Well, I was a chemist.I spent several years working as a senior scientist for a pharmaceutical company.”
“You’re not a chemist anymore?”
“Well, yes and no.I work in cosmetics now.”
“You?Work in makeup?”She half-laughed.
“I do.”
“What exactly do you do in cosmetics?”she asked.
“A little bit of everything.I founded Silver Screen Cosmetics.”
Claire’s eyes went round.“Hold up.YouownSilver Screen?”
“I do.Have you heard of it?”he asked.
“Heard of it?”Her smile widened.“I’m wearing your lipstick right now.”
Jay nodded.“You know, I thought that shade looked familiar.I’ve been trying to decide which color ever since you came back from the ladies’ room.I’ve narrowed it down toCasablancaorSunset Boulevard.”
“Double Indemnity,” she corrected.
“Damn it!”A sly grin turned up the corners of his mouth.“I thought for sure I had it.And that’s the top seller from our Film Noir collection.”
“Do you really own Silver Screen?”she asked, one eyebrow cocked in suspicion.
“I really do.”
“This is incredible.Do you know why my makeup still looks fresh?”
“I’m guessing it’s myIn the Heat of the Nightsetting spray.”
“Molly swears by it.She’s been a fan for years.”
“Then I should probably send her a case,” he said with a smile.
“Are you kidding?She would die.”
