Waffles & Weddings (Cupid's Cafe Where love is on the menu Book 1)

by Ashley Lauren

  “Let’s sit,” he said. When they were both comfortable Chase took a deep breath and said, “Vanessa, I’ve been wrong, and I know it, now. I drove by the prison this morning, and thought about Larry when I passed.”

  He took her hand, saying “I’m going to visit Larry next week. I’ve been thinking about it all day. I need to see him again, see if you’re right. If he has changed.”

  She looked at him, eyes moist, “Oh, Chase,” she said, “that would be wonderful! You’ll see. You can see it in his eyes, his face. Prison has been hard for Dad, but he’s different. He really does want to see you. Lately, he’s been asking about you, wondering how you’re doing.”

  Vanessa wiped her eyes with a napkin and looked at Chase fondly. He’d been like an older brother to her when she was growing up. Protecting her in school, soothing her when she was bullied by the girls in her class about having a drunk for a father. Her mother left when she was twelve, and a year later Larry had driven Chase’s mother and father into a tree. Their grandmother had raised her, but she’d died two years ago. Her funeral had been the last time she’d seen him. Chase coming back into her life would mean so much to her.

  “I’m so glad to see you, and I’m sorry for the way I acted. I shouldn’t have blocked you from my life,” Chase said.

  “I understand,” Vanessa sniffled. “I’m just glad to have bumped into you today.”

  “About that…” He stood and looked around, “I’m here with somebody, and she’ll be back soon, so I don’t have much time. Let me pay for your coffee.”

  “No, no,” she said and stood as well. “It’s paid for.” She put her hands on his shoulders, saying “I’m so happy to see you! And I’m glad you’ve decided to visit Dad!”

  Overcome, Chase didn’t speak, he simply leaned toward her and kissed her on the cheek. Then, he sat back down. “Well, I’ve got a few minutes to sit and talk. We haven’t exactly kept up these last few years. What have you been up to?”

  “Oh, I’ve been . . .” And they talked. Mostly he listened.

  Chapter 19

  Suddenly, Chase noticed the clock on the back wall. It had been almost an hour since he’d left Sophie in the dress shop. He stood, hurriedly said goodbye to Vanessa, and went out the door, turning left and right, not seeing Sophie on the street. He walked to the dress shop, described her to the clerk, and was told that, yes, there had been a young woman there, and she remembered her name was Sophie. She bought a dress and left, about a half an hour ago.

  Chase couldn’t believe it. Where was she? He left the shop and turned and went down the street toward Princess, looking in each of the shop windows as he passed. No sign of her. After a half hour of fruitless searching, the harsh reality of the situation dawned on him. You came on too strong. She wasn’t ready, and you blew it.

  Another thought occurred to him. What if something happened? Visions of Sophie being abducted popped into his head. You have her cell number, you idiot! Call her. Quickly looking up and dialing her cell. She didn’t answer, but he kept calling hoping that she’d pick up. When she didn’t, he wondered if he should report her as missing, but he reasoned it was too soon for that and went back to his earlier theory that he’d scared her off.

  That left him with only one course of action. He needed to go to her apartment and see if she had gone back there.

  Chase returned to his car and made a U-turn north on Bridgeway, intending to go back the way he had driven that morning. Risking a speeding ticket, he drove as fast as he dared in an “arrest me” red sports car. He arrived at Sophie’s apartment house without any police finding him.

  He pushed the button for her apartment, not realizing that there was a note on his desk from last week saying the buzzers on the first floor were not working for some reason, and someone needed to call an electrician to look at it. Had he seen it, he would have fixed it himself but, unaware, he continued to hold the button down. No one answered his buzzing. He went around to the side of the building, but the blinds in Sophie’s window were closed.

  He considered tapping on the window, but he worried someone might call the police or something.

  Chase remembered that the keys were in his office’s safe. He went back to his car and dialed her cell phone one more time. Nothing. He drove to the office, got the keys, and sat down at his desk. Just to be on the safe side he dialed Sophie’s phone again. Still nothing. Glancing down at his desk, he saw that Darron had left him a message about the buzzers at Sophie’s apartment building. Ah hah, no wonder she couldn't hear me.

  He drove back to the other building, parked the car, and went to the front door. He unlocked the two front doors and went into the hallway, feeling flustered, tired, and incredibly worried. What if she’s not here?

  Chase stood in front of her door hesitating. He was worried about Sophie’s safety, and he had a key, but he knew that using it would be a bad idea on several accounts. Chase shoved the keys in his pocket and rapped his knuckles on the door. No answer. He rapped again, harder this time, and called out, “Sophie! It’s me, Chase. Are you home?”

  Chapter 20

  Sophie awoke with a start. She had been dreaming that she was standing in the middle of the Great Room at the Bancroft, bouquet in hand, and everyone was standing around her, staring and pointing at her. There was a loud banging from the entry way of the big room, and the hotel manager was there, demanding to be paid. The banging came again, and she sat up suddenly, hearing “ . . . are you home?” The banging was at her front door. It was Chase. The dream had left her angry, somehow. Her father had paid the bill and she . . .

  But that was a dream. She stood and went to the door, looking through the peephole. It was Chase, looking distraught. She unlocked the door and yanked it open.

  “You've got some nerve . . .”

  “I was so worried! I thought . . .”

  Sophie had pent up rage and wasn’t about to let Chase explain himself. She pushed at Chase’s chest and yelled, “You’re no different than Rob! He left me at the altar, and you lied to me, and I just . . .” tears started to form in Sophie’s eyes.

  She swiped at them and held her chin high. She wasn’t the one in the wrong. He was!

  “I saw you kissing that woman at the cafe! Right up front in the window. I’ve been so happy today, and you, you ruined it! You only wanted to go to Sausalito today so you could . . .”

  “What? You mean you saw me with Vanessa? That’s why you ran away? She’s my cousin! The guy I talked about this morning? My Uncle Larry? She’s his daughter. We hadn’t seen each other for years.”

  Sophie’s anger faltered abruptly, like a popped balloon. “Y-your cousin?”

  “Yes! Did you think? I never told you about Vanessa… You must have thought . . .”

  “Chase, I’m so sorry!” she said, backing into the room.

  He stood in the doorway, looking at her. “Can we meet for breakfast tomorrow, like we planned? And talk about this? I can explain. I . . .”

  “No… I mean yes…” Sophie covered her face with her hand and took a deep breath. She felt so stupid for jumping to conclusions. What she’d seen was incriminating, but if the woman was his cousin then… “Let me clarify. There is no need to explain. Yes, I would still like to meet for breakfast and car shopping if you’ll forgive me for ditching you today.”

  “How about we start all over tomorrow. I know how it must have looked, and I’m the one who should apologize. But she really is my cousin. I can introduce you to her,” he paused. Sophie could see the sincerity in his eyes.

  “I’d like that,” she replied.

  “I’ll call her and arraign dinner sometime. Do you still want to go for a run tomorrow?”

  “Yes,” the corners of Sophie’s mouth hitched upward. He was going to forgive her for running away and worrying him. “I think I still would.”

  “Great, I’ll see you then,” Chase said.

  He leaned closer to her, asking for permission. When it was granted, he gave her a
kiss on the cheek and took his leave.

  Sophie stood in the doorway, watching Chase go. His cousin. Not his girlfriend. He wasn’t lying to me. She closed the door, and the half-smile she’d been wearing became a full-fledged grin.

  Chapter 21

  The next week Sophie and Chase drove into downtown San Francisco in her new car without incident. Winding her way through traffic, Sophie steered them to a parking spot under Ghirardelli Square. They walked up stairs and through the square briefly, where Sophie was determined to spend some time browsing around one day, but not tonight. She was sure that was not on Chase’s agenda for the evening. He had promised her a memorable dining experience.

  He took her arm, and they walked downstairs to cross Beach Street into the Maritime Park, turning toward the Hyde Street Cable Car turnaround just in time to see that turnaround happen. They watched, hand in hand, as the car rotated on the little turntable and pointed back up toward the Hyde Street hill. They stood that way for a few seconds, then, still hand in hand, they continued out of the park and toward the pier.

  Sophie had never been to this area before. Her father had told her many times that he would take her there the year before she went away to school at Syracuse. After her first year in Syracuse, she had worked as a waitress the next summer, then as a department store clerk summers after that until graduation. Her social life had revolved around the theater, and her friends from school, so she hadn’t spent summers in Berkeley. She had traveled there to see her father at the end of each school year and a couple of Christmases, but his new job and busy schedule from right after they had moved to Berkeley hadn’t allowed him to get away much. When she came back to Berkeley during and after school, her stays hadn’t been long enough for many trips into the City by the Bay. She explained all this to Chase while they waited to be seated.

  “My Dad spent a lot of time with me when I was a kid,” she told him “but after Mom died, he became kind of distant. I know he loves me, and we get along fine. I’m looking forward to seeing a lot more now that I’m back in Berkeley.”

  They were shown to a table by a window looking right out at the docks, where boats of all descriptions were docked, stern first, in a narrow passage between piers. The sun was low, and lights were coming on outside as they were seated and handed two menus and a wine list.

  After a glance at the wine list, Chase ordered and, without asking Sophie, told the waiter they would have the abalone. Promising to be right back with the wine, the waiter whisked away the menus and left to place the orders.

  “You know, I’ve never had abalone,” she said. “What if I don’t like it?”

  “Oh, you’ll love it, trust me. It’s in season, and you might not be back here before it’s over,” he said with a serious expression. “Though come to think of it, I plan to make sure you get here often. With me, of course!” And she laughed with him.

  Sophie looked out into the dusky evening. The atmosphere was lovely and the company excellent. And though she wasn’t sure about the abalone, she thought that a girl could get used to this.

  When the sommelier came back with the wine, and the pouring ritual was done, she looked out on the darkened piers, then glanced back at Chase. She saw something in his eyes that she liked.

  Picking up her glass and raising it, she toasted, “I think I'm going to like it here,” and clinked her glass against his, saying, “I mean this place, and living in California, that is.”

  Chapter 22

  Sophie double knotted her running shoe and thought about their drive home last night, over the Bay Bridge, and back to Berkeley. They had talked, and been comfortably silent at times, having discussed much at the restaurant. They had found that both had a taste for fish; that Sophie really enjoyed the abalone, even though she had never tried it before; that she was really excited about her new job so far; that both had enjoyed some of the same movies; that both liked to watch football but not baseball; and they loved the theater and musical comedy.

  Chase had never seen her work and was looking forward to seeing her perform, when she was, he assured her, ready to do so. She wanted him to show her some of the projects he had worked on, which he had talked about while they ate. It was an easy time together, and Sophie had been sorry when they had to leave but had enjoyed the walk and people watching as they slowly wandered back to the car. Chase had entertained her with comments about the areas and architecture along Beach Street.

  When they had arrived at her apartment, parking her car on the street, Chase had seen her to the door and given her a quick kiss and a light hug, wishing her a good night before returning to his car. She had let herself in, and knowing tomorrow would be a busy day, had gone to bed and slept until the alarm went off at 5:30.

  It was 6:25 as she finished tying her other running shoe. A soft knock came from the door. Sophie moved to open the door for Chase, who had come for their morning run.

  She opened the door to see a smiling Chase and her heart flipped over in her chest. Her breath hitched, and she placed a hand over her heart.

  “Are you okay?” Chase asked, stepping forward to steady her. “You look a little wobbly on your feet.”

  “I’m fine.”

  And she was fine, Sophie realized. Somehow she’d gone from a jilted bride to falling in love with a true gentleman. Her own personal fairy tale romance that began with a walk to Cupid’s Café and a waffle.

  Cupid's Cafe, two months later

  The sleigh bells on the door jingled as Sophie passed through. To make the place even more cheery than usual, Katy had hung the bells every year around this time since she opened. People had come to expect their arrival in September and knew it really hadn’t a thing to do with Christmas. Katy liked them because of their music.

  The door rang with the sound of bells, and Katy looked up to see the person she had been waiting for.

  “Sophie! Chase is in a booth near the back,” Katy called out, gesturing toward Chase.

  She watched Sophie head back and hurried to the counter. “Clarisse. She’s here. Why don’t you get that waffle ready.”

  While Clarisse added the final touches to Sophie’s breakfast, Katy bustled around the diner refilling cups and making sure all her customers would be okay for a few minutes.

  “One very special waffle order for pick-up,” Clarisse said in a voice that wouldn’t carry further than the counter.

  Katy made her way to the pick-up window with a wide grin plastered on her face. It was indeed a special waffle order. She snagged the two plates and glided back to where Sophie and Chase sat. She paused to catch Chase’s eye and raised an eyebrow. A light sheen of sweat covered his brow, but he took a gulp of air and nodded to Katy.

  That was all Katy needed. She swept in and put both plates on the table, arraigning them just right. “Here you are. Two orders of waffles piled high with strawberries and whip cream.”

  Sophie put a hand on Katy’s wrist. “But I haven’t even ordered yet.” Sophie turned an eye to Chase and asked, “Did you order for me?”

  Chase tugged at his polo shirt’s collar and answered, “Sort of.”

  “I know I normally get waffles, but really Chase you shouldn’t have,” Sophie protested.

  Sophie knew it was silly to make a big deal of Chase ordering for her. He’d ordered all sorts of things for her at various restaurants she’d never been to, but she knew Cupid’s menu inside and out. Besides, when had she ever ordered strawberries and whip cream? Though, it does look delicious. Katy cleared her throat, and Sophie looked up at her.

  “Don’t be too hard on him, dear. I’m sure you’re going to love this waffle,” Katy said and then turned to leave.

  Sophie didn’t miss the wink that Katy gave Chase. She narrowed her eyes at Chase. Something was going on. “And why is Katy so sure I’ll love this particular waffle?”

  Chase pulled on his collar again and then ran his hand through his hair. “Well… I know we haven’t known each other for very long, but since I met you
my entire perspective has changed. I worked too much, ignored my family, especially Vanessa…”

  Sophie smiled. Vanessa had become one of her very best friends since Chase had introduced them. She couldn’t believe that she had almost shut Chase out of her life because of that misunderstanding at the bakery.

  “We see Vanessa almost every weekend now. You know she forgives you,” Sophie interjected. “You’ve even visited your uncle a few times.”

  “Yes and that’s all because of you. I guess… well, that’s what I’m trying to say. You’ve changed my life, and it’s better than anything I could have ever dreamed of. There’s only one thing that could make it better.”

  Chase’s eyes looked directly into her soul, and she knew. Sophie’s breath hitched and without her permission, her eyes began to tear up. “What’s that?” she asked in a wobbly voice.

  Chase turned Sophie’s waffle plate around. A huge diamond ring surrounded by tiny sapphires sat on the plate, previously hidden by the mound of strawberries and whip cream.

  “Oh…” Sophie breathed, as the first tear rolled down her cheek.

  “Sophie Eleonore Rivera, will you marry me?”

  A floodgate of emotions smashed into Sophie. She looked into Chase’s eyes and the love she felt for him hit her directly in the heart, surer than Cupid’s arrow. The rumors about Katy must be true because I’m irrevocably and completely in love with Chase.

  Tears wouldn’t do for such a momentous occasion. Sophie wiped her eyes, careful not to smudge her mascara, and straightened her shoulders. “I thought my world had ended, but you showed me that it had only just begun. I love you so much, and I want nothing more than to marry you.”

  Chase jumped from his seat and pulled Sophie from her seat in the booth. He picked her up and spun her in a circle before whispering a soft, “I love you, too,” and kissing her.