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“Okay,” Mia said before she could backtrack.
Roman didn’t make any comment, so Cara handed Mia two plates to carry. Then she loaded the rest onto a tray just as Jerry came back into the kitchen.
“I’ve got it,” Roman said suddenly. “You guys can get a head start on cleanup.”
Cara stared as Roman took the tray from her hands.
“Well, well . . .” Jerry murmured as the father-daughter pair left the kitchen. “We’ve been effectively dismissed.”
Cara wasn’t so sure, though. She grasped Jerry’s arm. “Spill it, fast. I’m dying here.”
He glanced toward the dining room, then met her gaze. “Stacy was really chummy toward Roman. You know, like over the top. More than I guess she’s ever been in public. A couple of the other actors, Nick and Nathan, filled me in on that. It was clear that Roman was super uncomfortable with it. They had some words by the snack shop.” Jerry grimaced. “It was obvious that Stacy started crying, then she disappeared into the ladies’ room. Didn’t come out until everyone had already turned in their skates and was ready to go.”
Cara wasn’t about to divulge that she knew there had been some issues going on before the activity tonight. Had Roman been giving Stacy signals he hadn’t realized? Or was Stacy trying some last-ditch efforts? It was kind of crazy to think that a beautiful and talented woman like Stacy was so distressed over a man who’d made it clear they’d broken up. Maybe she was head over heels in love or something.
Cara could only feel sorry for her.
“Oh, that’s her,” Jerry whispered after a new voice joined in the dining room conversation. “She came for dessert.”
Cara couldn’t make out any specific words of what people were talking about.
“I think it’s time to gather up plates in there,” Jerry said.
“You’re kidding.”
“No.” He tugged her arm. “Come with me. I want to see what’s going on.”
“You’re such a gossipmonger,” Cara said with a shake of her head. She was curious, too, but she didn’t really want to be in the middle of anything.
Still, she followed Jerry into the dining room. Some people were sitting in clusters. Others were standing. Roman sat next to Mia, and Stacy stood on the other side of the table. She didn’t have the mussed appearance of the others who’d been wearing winter gear not too long ago. She’d obviously changed clothing and made an effort with her hair and makeup.
When Cara and Jerry gathered the empty plates, Roman looked up. Cara met his gaze for a half-second, until she realized Stacy was staring right at her.
Cara gave a small nod, then moved around the table and picked up another plate.
“You’re the chef, right?” Stacy said in a voice that everyone in the room could hear.
Cara turned. Stacy was only a few feet from her, and although Cara was taller, Stacy had a commanding presence. As if she were used to being the center of attention in a room—deservedly so. Stacy was slim yet buxom, whereas Cara was more the natural, curvy type.
“Yes, that’s right.”
Stacy’s perfectly sculpted brows rose. She must do them after shooting for the day, because on set, they looked more natural. “How many calories are in the pie?” She picked up one of the plates and speared the edge of the pie with a fork.
“A piece or the whole pie?” Cara asked.
Stacy smiled. “A piece.”
“About five hundred thirty-two, give or take, depending on the size of the slice.”
Stacy looked over at Roman. “Wow. What happened to our low-calorie, whole-foods promise?”
Roman’s eyes seemed to shutter. “Dessert is always optional.”
Stacy laughed, but it sounded a bit forced. “Of course it is. Let’s see if the taste is worth the calories.” She lifted the bite to her mouth in slow motion, as if she were being filmed for a commercial. After a delicate bite, she chewed then swallowed. “Oh wow, that’s good, everyone.”
Most of the people in the room chuckled, including Jerry.
“But,” she said, holding out the plate toward Cara, “I really can’t afford all those calories. Sorry this has to go to waste.”
