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She's still a few feet away so I do the only logical thing one can when faced with your gold-digger ex-girlfriend at a public event. I bolt for the kitchen and leave Marnie Bloom standing there in a too-tight dress with makeup caked on her face.
Blech.
Luckily, she won't follow me where she knows there will be people working. Listening. Well, hopefully, she won't. I slip into the kitchen while one of the servers comes out with a tray stacked with delicious-smelling bread of some sort. I curse Marnie and her timing and myself for letting my guard down for even a moment while at one of these events.
I know better.
"Um hello?" A slightly harried voice says. "You're not supposed to be in here." She doesn't sound sure of what she's saying. I look up, ready to apologize and then use my status as son of the boss to hide in here for the duration. But I'm met with the big brown eyes of the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. She's got black hair done up in a braided crown style and the most delicious curves. I take in every inch of her wrapped in a sparkly silver dress that bells out around her hips. Matching silver heels that tie around her ankles complete the outfit.
She's stunning. And staring at me as though maybe I might be deaf.
"Sorry, I'm sorry," I say in a rush. "I know I shouldn't be in here but my ex is outside the door and I think I'd rather stick my head in the garbage disposal than speak to her again."
She snorts and then covers her mouth with her hand as though to take back the sound. I grin at her and step closer. "I'm Gus. Do you mind some company?"
She notes my nearness and licks her lips. "Uh, sure why not. I can save you the torment of talking to your ex." She tilts her head at me, as though she's going to say something else and then she straightens her shoulders and murmurs, "I'll leave you be."
Before I can think of something clever to say to her, one of the servers comes in with an empty tray, "We need more of the meatballs, Betty. They're devouring them."
The woman–Betty– startles and nods, leaping into action and forgetting all about me. I lean against the wall out of the way and watch how quickly she restocks the tray from one of the many steaming pans that have overtaken my mother's kitchen. Her movements are quick and efficient, practiced. Graceful in a way I haven't seen before.
The girl with the tray disappears once more into the fray and I'm left staring at Betty. "You realize you're gorgeous, yes?" I ask, trying to think of something brilliant to say, to knock her off her feet.
That won't be happening, though. I have no game. And I get tongue-tied around beautiful women like some inexperienced teenager.
Betty's eyes widen, her full cheeks flush and she shakes her head wordlessly, staring back at me as though maybe letting me in her kitchen was a mistake. "Um..."
Can't blame the girl, I'm acting like some kind of idiot.
"No, not um, I swear you're making me stupid. You're–"
"Fat," she says easily.
"–beautiful," I say at the same time. She holds my gaze as though waiting for something. Almost daring me to disagree with her. "Both those things can be true, you know?" I murmur and she smiles at me, a tiny little smile like I've secretly pleased her.
Like I passed a test.
Excellent.
"Thank you," she hesitates just a moment before sticking her hand out. "I'm Betty James, the caterer of this party. I think it might be nice to meet you, Gus."
I take her hand and raise it to my lips, kissing her knuckles and then letting it go. She looks surprised again. "It's very nice to meet you, Betty. What are the chances I can get your number?"
She smiles a wide knockout of a smile and holds out her hand to me, "Give me your phone and let's find out."
Before I can, the door opens and two more servers come flying in looking for their trays to be refreshed. Once again, it's like I'm no longer present. Betty goes to work, refilling a tray with the bread I noticed on my way in and more mushrooms.
"Those stuffed mushrooms are delicious," I say as she turns her attention back to me.
"Thank you. I'm glad you like them. Did you get to try the pepperoni roll? I know you came looking for refuge as that was going out." She looks me over and nibbles on her bottom lip, making my brain short-circuit. "Any allergies?"
I shake my head and clear my throat, reminding myself that I am a gentleman and I cannot maul this almost stranger at my mother's holiday party. She'll never forgive me.
She smiles and grabs a plate and starts lifting the lids on several of the pans then she brings me the plate when it's piled high with an assortment of foods. "Hand over your phone before I'm needed again, and you sit at the island and eat this."
I trade her for the plate and do as she bid me, retreating to the other side of the kitchen where two stools stand by the island. I sit down as she starts tapping away on my phone. When she brings it back, she takes a seat next to me and says, "There you go. Now eat up. My food's too good to pass up. Promise."
"I believe you." I start with the stuffed mushrooms as I already know I'll love them and I want more of her smiles aimed my way. She watches me like a hawk while I move through the different selections, each of them as delicious as the previous. When I've picked up the pepperoni roll and taken a bite, I can't hold back a groan of satisfaction. The combination of spices and meat and cheese with the flavorful dough is amazing. I eat it in two bites.
