Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 35550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 178(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 35550 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 178(@200wpm)___ 142(@250wpm)___ 119(@300wpm)
“Were?”
“She died three years ago.”
He noticed she turned from him, and he saw her wiping her face.
“I’m so sorry about your loss.”
“She was … everything to me.”
He got to his feet and moved to her. He wrapped his arms around her, and within that second, he realized she felt so good against him.
It was strange. He didn’t care for holding Sandy, just fucking her. Whenever she hung off his arm, it would drive him crazy and he’d find some way to disconnect them. With Danielle, it was totally different.
“Thank you. I’m sorry. You must be in so much shock right now.”
“Why would I be in shock?”
“I’m crying all over you.”
“It’s fine. I’m used to it.”
“You’re being way too nice.” She rested her head against his shoulder. “I need to finish my waffles. Thank you for letting me cry on you.”
“You can do it anytime.”
This made her laugh.
“You’re quite different from last night,” she said.
“We all have to put a face on for the world, Danielle. You know that.” He cupped her face, wiping away her tears. “I wish I could have met this woman.”
“I wish everyone could have.”
With parents who spent most of their lives behind a desk, or making deals, selling contracts, they were often raised by nannies. They were their real parents.
She wiped her face, washed her hands, and then got back to cooking.
“Cooking always helps.”
“It does?”
“It’s where I feel closest to her. You know. She always told me to go after what I wanted. To always believe in myself and to never let anyone else get me down. I live by that motto, and I have no complaints.”
He took a seat and watched her, shocked that he was enjoying seeing this side of her, cooking, crying. She was real. Not just any woman either. She was real, showing him this.
A twisting started in his gut, and he didn’t get it.
****
Danielle watched as her new guest started eating her waffles. The bacon was nice and crispy with a spicy maple glaze she brushed across the surface.
“What do you think?”
“This has to be the best food I’ve had in a long time,” he said.
Feeding people always pleased her.
“So, tell me, Danielle, what are you doing for the rest of the day? I saw your bags packed.”
“I’m heading out to my country home. It’s where I film all of my series. I’ve done all of my latest boardroom stuff that I need to do. I’ve got my manager who handles my television shows. I need to finish my latest cookbook.”
“You can’t do that here?”
“Nope. I love doing it at my place. It’s where we film as well. It has a homier feel to it, and when I’m cooking that’s what I love. To feel at home.” She watched him out of the corner of her eye.
“Well, do you need a tester?”
“Sometimes. I’ve got some friends who come around, and I organize tasting parties.”
“Can I get one of those invites?” he asked. “Just as friends.”
“You’re not going to give up, are you?”
“Nope. Believe this or not, Danielle. I like you.”
“You like me?”
“Yes. I like you, and because of that, I’ve decided to stay very close to you and these waffles. So how about I take you home today?”
“You want to take me home? You’ve got nothing else to do?”
“Not that I can think of.”
She took a bite of her waffle and thought about it. “Okay.” She didn’t have to worry about calling a cab, which was a plus for her.
“Also, I need to stop by the grocery store before we leave. I want to pick up a few items.”
“I’m all for it.”
They finished their breakfast, and she couldn’t help but laugh as he kept humming his appreciation. She loved it.
After they finished their breakfast, she cleaned down the kitchen, boxed up the fresh ingredients, and made her excuses to change.
Donning a pair of jeans, a shirt, and some sneakers, she headed out to him. He was in her living room, watching television. Only, it was her on the cooking channel.
“Is that your nanny?” he asked.
She nodded. “Teresa had offered to come on the show with me. We’re cooking gnocchi together. It was such a wonderful day. She came onto my show a lot. We lived together. I wouldn’t put her in a home when she got too sick. My parents kept telling me to, but I refused. I was with her to the last minute.”
“You’re both good.” Brice turned the show off. He got to his feet. “I enjoyed watching you.”
“The first take I ever did, Teresa was there tutting at me. She was, like, you’re not a statue, why are you not moving? Speak clearly, girl. People need to hear you. Come on, you’re made for this.” She tried her best to put on her nanny’s Italian accent and failed. She laughed. “Wow, I miss her.”