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Espresso, Coffee, Tea-Petit Fours and Pastries
Wow, the menu is extensive. Everything sounds delicious. I’m having a hard time deciding what I want. A group of waiters stroll over to our table with a selection of hors d’oeuvres on doily lined trays. I am starving and choose a scallop wrapped in bacon and smoked salmon with lemon dill sauce on a pumpernickel triangle.
As we pick on our hors d’oeuvres, another couple makes their way over to our table. Both Chases’ stand to greet them. Not wanting to be rude, I stand as well.
“Olivia, this is my brother Preston and his girlfriend Gabriella.”
“Hi,” I greet politely. Preston extends his hand out to shake. I give him mine, but he swoops it up to his mouth and places a kiss on the back of my hand.
“The pleasure is all mine,” he smiles.
Chase shakes his head, amused. “Ease up little bro.” Preston gives his brother a wink and a smile.
Preston looks handsome just like his brother in his designer tuxedo. His hair is lighter than Chase’s, and he is slightly shorter. His physique looks the same, but it’s hard to tell underneath his suit. Gabriella has long dirty blonde hair that has a subtle wave to it. She is wearing a gorgeous strapless ruffle-back fishtail gown in a dark charcoal grey. She looks amazing.
“That dress is gorgeous.” I compliment.
“Thank you. I’m a fashion designer for Oscar De La Renta, and this is one of my creations,” she says proudly.
Wow.
The last couple to arrive are friends of his father, Richard and Evelyn. Richard is the head of some law firm on the Upper East Side. Introductions all around and everyone takes their seats. Chase Senior stands with a champagne glass, clinking the side with a knife to get everyone’s attention. The bandleader quiets the orchestra.
“Welcome ladies and gentlemen. I would like to thank you all for coming to my annual summertime dinner party. The waiters will be around to collect your entrée orders. There is plenty to eat and drink so please enjoy yourselves.” Polite applause erupts throughout the ballroom.
Chase squeezes my hand. “Do you know what you want?” he asks.
“I don’t know, everything sounds so good.”
“You better choose, here comes the waiter.” At that, the waiter makes his way around to our side of the table. They both look at me. “I’ll have the fish,” I decide.
“I’ll have the filet, medium rare please,” Chase says. Once everyone has their order in, he withdraws into the kitchen.
The table erupts into conversation. Chase and Preston are discussing some new account. Chase Senior and his friend Richard are also discussing work. Tiffani is discussing shoes with Richard’s wife Margaret. That leaves Gabriella and I. She almost looks as uncomfortable as I feel.
“So Olivia, how did you and Chase meet?” she inquires, but with minimal interest.
“Please, call me Liv,” I say. “We met at the beach. I have a summer house on Davis.”
“Where is Davis?”
“Davis Park. It’s one of the eastern most beaches on Fire Island before you get to the Hamptons.”
“He went there instead of Bridgehampton?” She is surprised.
“He was there with some of his friends.” I start to feel uncomfortable.
“Oh. Must have been the boys he went to college with,” she murmurs almost to herself.
What a stuck up snobby bitch.
Lucky for me, we are interrupted by multiple waiters coming to remove our top plates, leaving only the fancy chargers underneath. They make sure the napkins won’t be in the way of the appetizer plates. Once finished, they place down our appetizer. I have never had artichokes before and just stare at it. Chase notices my reticence. “It’s good,” he whispers so only I can hear him. I keep staring at it. “Try it,” he urges. I slice into the mushroom, a piece just big enough to fit on my fork, and take a tentative bite.
“Wow,” I murmur in surprise. “This is delicious.” Chase gives me an I-told-you-so smile that makes me giggle.
We finish our appetizers, and the waiters clear the plates in unison. Chase drapes his left arm around my back, his fingers strumming my shoulder and arm. His touch sends shivers down my spine. I take a large unladylike gulp of champagne. “Would you like another glass?” Chase purrs.
“Yes, please,” I manage to sputter out.
