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We both take a seat, and the meal looks and smells delicious.
“I love to cook,” she says, suddenly appearing nervous. “Eat up, I hope you like it?”
I grab my knife and fork and dig in, because I am famished. I literally groan as the meat hits my taste buds. What is it about this woman and her food? Everything I have eaten today has been amazing.
“You should really think about opening your own bakery or restaurant, your food is so good,” I say after I swallow my first bite and dig in for my second.
She smiles. “I am busy enough at the moment with my business, but maybe one day.”
“Tell me about it. Your business.” I ask, wanting to know more about her.
“I am in event management. Mainly charity galas, political events and the like. I design, organize, and market the events, and currently we do about sixty events a year and hold about 80% of the prestige market in D.C.” She answers like it is nothing, but I know that it isn’t. Having a hold on that much of the market is impressive, especially in a city like D.C.
“Seriously? That is impressive.” I am in awe. I can see her laptop set up in the corner, so I nod to it. “Are you working while you are here?”
“Yes, I have worked from home the last few months because I cared for dad. So, when he slept, I worked, and when he was awake, I cared for him, talked to him and didn’t miss a moment. I have a great team. Kelly, my Operations Manager, is my best friend from college, and I don’t know what I would do without her.”
“So, when did you sleep? Sounds like the past few months have been busy for you. Who was looking after you?” I ask, because she must be exhausted.
“I wouldn’t change a thing. These last few months with dad were amazing, and although he was sick, taking care of him, nursing him, and spending time with him through it all was a privilege.”
I place my cutlery down and grab her hand that is resting on the table. We have a silent moment together, thinking of her dad, and it kills me that she was looking after him by herself while also running her business without any support. I don’t know where her mother or Dickhead Douche were, but it is clear that she did it all solo. It can’t have been easy for her.
“Tell me about your work, what is it that you do now?” she asks as she breaks our moment and continues to eat.
“I manage security for a family in Boston. The Marshalls; they are prominent business owners, wealthy, and always seem to find trouble. But they are my best friends, and I would do anything for them. I have a team in Boston and am based there, but I come here a few times a year to sleep and recharge for a month or so before I go back.”
“Wow, I bet you see some interesting things?” she asks me, and my mind immediately turns to seeing a major mafia boss in Sicily just weeks ago get his brains blown out the back of his head, and I nod.
“I do, there have been some close calls, but we have managed to get through them all, so I am grateful.”
She looks at me concerned, and I am about to tell her not to be worried, but our moment is interrupted by her phone ringing.
She huffs out a breath. “Ugh, he is killing me today.” She groans before grabbing her phone and turning it off.
“Everything okay?” I ask her.
“Yeah, just Richard, my ex, is constantly calling. I have been ignoring him for days, and he doesn’t like it. He doesn’t like not getting his own way, so he is going a little crazy at the moment. I would normally block him, but then he harasses my staff looking for me, so I prefer to keep them out of it.”
She sits back down, and we finish our meals and talk some more, getting to know each other, but all I can think about is her phone call from the Dickhead Douche. He sounds like trouble, and I don’t like it. Not one bit.
13
Isabelle
I sit on my sofa in front of the fire, thinking about what a nice evening I just had with Jake.
It was a lovely night. He is impressive. At first sight you would think that he is purely a muscular man, brawn and strong, and can no doubt take care of most people with just a look. But after talking with him tonight and learning more about him, his team and the logistics around his work, it is clear he is also highly intelligent. Coupled with his caring nature and extremely good looks, I have to admit I am getting more and more smitten by the minute. He is really just the most perfect man.
He left about an hour ago. He had an urgent call from his team in Boston and needed to go and sort something out. He was a perfect gentleman, giving me a kiss on the cheek before he left, and we promised to see each other in the morning.
Even though it has been a long day, I know I won’t be able to sleep just yet, so I head to the kitchen and start some baking, which has been my standard evening activity for the past few weeks.
Four hours later, it is just after 2am, and I have made a few loaves of fresh bread and a tray of croissants. The pastry I proofed yesterday, so I was dying to get them in the oven. I am just packing everything up when my cell phone rings. I turned it back on once Jake left and thank God Richard hasn’t called, but if this is him, I am not going to be pleasant. It is 2am for God's sake.
Leaning over the table, I grab my phone and see Kelly’s name flash on the screen, and I immediately panic.
“Kelly?” I say immediately, not wasting time on niceties.
