"What?"
"Sure, why not? Men can send flowers after a date, why couldn't you send him food?"
"Oh Becky, I don't know. Don't you think that would be a little too much?"
"Absolutely not. You've got to use your talent to snare him and food is one of your best talents."
Jenny pulled on a new pair of gloves. "Maybe you're right, and I do make some really good strawberry scones." She started the dough mixer and a smile spread across her face.
* * * *
Four hours later, Derek sat in his office going through the day's mail when Ellen walked in with a stack of documents.
"These need your signature, Derek."
"Damn it," he mumbled as he read a letter.
"What's wrong?"
"We lost the bid on another contract proposal."
"Again? That's the third one in six months." She placed the documents on the corner of his desk.
"I was really counting on that one. It would have been huge for the company." He handed the letter to Ellen.
"Can you find out why we didn't get it?" She looked over the letter and handed it back to him.
"I'll call them and see what they'll tell me, but I'm sure we were under-bid again."
"How bad is this?"
"It wasn't a make or break contract for us, if that's what you mean. But, if we don't get a big contract soon, it'll mean some cut-backs in our future."
"Layoffs?"
"I'm hoping to avoid that."
At that moment, a knock at the door diverted their attention. "Excuse me, there's no one out here and I have a delivery for Derek James," the young man said. He held a pink square box with a gold sticker on top.
"I'm Derek James."
"This is from the Sweet Tooth Bakery." He sat the box on the desk and momentarily hesitated.
"Thank you." Derek stood and handed the young man a five-dollar bill.
"Thank you, Mr. James." He turned and quickly left the office.
"I suppose that's from your little charity case," Ellen remarked.
"Don't call her that. I really enjoy Jenny's company." He opened the box and discovered half a dozen strawberry scones. "Oh wow, look at these." He sat back down and pushed the box to Ellen after taking one out first. "Oh my gosh, these are delicious."
"You missed the card." Ellen snapped it up before Derek could grab it. "Thanks for last night. I had a wonderful time. Jenny," she read aloud. "So, what was last night?"
"Dinner and coffee, if you must know."
"That's all? You sure you didn't do anything else to deserve something so special?"
"If I did, dear sister, I certainly wouldn't share it with you," he snapped.
"Let me know when you have those papers signed. I need to get them in today's mail." She turned and walked back to her office where she found Colleen Michael's eavesdropping. Ellen closed Derek's door. "You heard?"
"I did," Colleen replied. "So, he went out with little Miss Gold-digger last night."
"Yes, and I don't like the idea of him getting involved with her either. She's after his money. I'm sure of it. Has he asked you out again?"
"No. I haven't heard from him since I had him over for dinner and he discovered that I hired her to cook it."
Just then, Derek opened his office door and stepped out carrying his coffee cup. "Colleen, you're here. Good, I was going to call you after I got a refill of coffee. Care for some?"
"That would be wonderful, Derek. Thank you. Black, please."
Derek filled his cup and another from the coffee maker in Ellen's office and then headed back to his. "Please come in. Ellen, I don't want to be disturbed."
"Yes, sir."
Colleen closed the door behind them and followed Derek to his desk where he sat her cup of coffee down. He waited for her to sit in front of the desk before he sat. "Care for a scone? They're wonderful."
"No, thank you. I try to only eat things that are good for you."
"Aren't these healthy?"
She looked into the box. "These look like they're full of fat. I bet they're really moist, aren't they?"
"Well, yes they are."
"And," she looked at the lid of the box. "They're from that bakery downtown, so they're probably full of sugar too. That's why they're so good. I can't believe you bought them, Derek."
He looked at the half-eaten bread cake in his hand. "They were a gift."
"From someone who wants to fatten you up, no doubt."
Derek sat the scone aside. "Colleen, I wanted to talk to you about a problem we may be having. Remember that last contract bid I had you help me with?"
"For the computer components? Yes."
"We didn't get the contract. We were underbid by Ohio Valley Computer Corporation."
"You're kidding. That was a great bid we made. What happened?"
"I don't know, but this is the third contract we've lost recently. I'm going to call a meeting of the department heads for tomorrow morning, but wanted to ask you ahead of time to check and see if there's anyway to cut costs in the distribution of the components. That's one of the most costly areas."
"I don't now, Derek. With the price of fuel now, it's going to be hard to cut back anymore."
"I don't need an answer now. Run through the numbers and have something to present at the meeting."
She stood to leave as he picked up his scone again. "Derek, I'm going to be working out in the company fitness center after work. Why don't you join me? I guarantee I'll put you through a good workout."
He looked at his treat and then tossed it into the trash. "That sounds like a great idea."
"Wonderful. I'll see you there around five."
"I'll be there." He stood as she left his office. Instead of sitting back down, he picked up the box from his desk and went out to Ellen's desk. "Will you take these down to the break room? I don't think I want any more of them."
"Sure, I'd be glad to," Ellen replied.
An hour later, Derek sat at his desk working on another contract when his intercom buzzed. "Yes."
"Jenny Marshall is on your private line."
"Thanks." Derek pressed a button on the phone. "This is Derek James."
"Wow, you sound so business-like," Jenny said.
"Sorry, I'm just really busy right now. What can I do for you?"
"Oh, well I won't keep you from your work. I wanted to make sure you got my delivery this morning."
"The scones? Yes, that was really nice of you. Thanks."
"I was wondering if you would you like to come to my house for dinner after work? I want to try a new lasagna recipe."
Derek thought for a second. "I'm sorry, I have prior plans right after work tonight."
"What about after that? I can wait and start it a little later."
"I'm probably going to go home and work there afterward. I have an early morning meeting to prepare for."
"Would you like some pastries delivered from the bakery in the morning for the meeting? I'll be making some as soon as I get there."
Tempted, Derek remembered Colleen mentioning eating healthy. "Thank you, but I'm having a fruit tray and juice for everyone."
"I see. We're still on for the football game on Sunday, right?"
"Yes, we are."
"Great. I'm looking forward to it. I better let you get back to work. Bye."
"Goodbye, Jenny." He hung up the phone and felt terrible about turning her down like that.
Ellen immediately came into the office. "You gave her the number for your private line?"
"I don't get you, Ellen. You badger me constantly about finding someone and now that I'm dating, you don't like her."
"That's not it. I'm sure she's a lovely person, but she's not right for you."
"Would you mind explaining what 'not right for me' means?"
"Derek, you met the woman when you hired her as your caterer."
"Tell me, dear sister, how is that different from you setting me up with Colleen Michaels, who also works for me
?"
"Colleen is much more suited for you. She's educated, refined, and she knows the proper way to conduct herself. She'd be a fine addition to our family."
Derek shook his head. "I'm disappointed in you. I never thought you were the type of person to classify people like that."
"I'm just looking out for your future and the future of this company."
"I'll tell you what, I'll take care of my future and you take care of yours, okay?"
"Fine." She turned to leave.
"Ellen."
"Yes." She stopped at the door.
"Would you notify the department heads of a meeting in the conference room tomorrow morning at nine to discuss the contract situation?"
"Yes, sir."
"And, would you see that we have a platter of fruit and some juice for the meeting too?"
"I'll take care of it."
Thank you." She closed the door when she left his office.
* * * *
Jenny adjusted her scarf to keep the cold breeze out as she walked down the sidewalk with her brother. "Thanks for dinner, Andy. I was going to make some lasagna, but decided against it. Are you sure you don't want me to drive you home?"
"No, I can walk," he replied. "Besides, didn't you say you had to get up early for work in the morning?"
"I do." They stopped next to her car and when she walked to the driver's door, Andy turned to look at the restaurant she had parked in front of.
"Hey, isn't that Derek James?"
Jenny looked up and saw Derek sitting by the window with Colleen Michaels. "Yes, it is."
"I thought you were dating him."
"We're not exclusive. He can date whoever he wants."
At that moment, Derek looked up and met Jenny's stare.
"I've got to go, Andy. I'll call you tomorrow." She quickly unlocked the car door, got in, and drove off. In her rearview mirror, she saw Derek come out of the restaurant and onto the sidewalk.
"So she was his prior plans," Jenny said aloud.
When she arrived home, she walked inside, threw her coat and scarf on the chair, and plopped down on the couch. She took a tissue from the box on the table and dabbed her eyes, trying her best not to cry.
Her cell phone started ringing. She checked the screen and saw it was Andy. "Hello."
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine. I didn't want to hang around after Derek saw me."
"He came out as you drove off."
"I know. I saw him in the mirror."
"He asked if you were upset and I told him I didn't know."
"Thanks, Andy."
"I hung around on the street corner for a little while."
"Why?" She walked to the kitchen and picked up a bag of chips and a soda, then returned to the couch.
"I was spying for you. They left right after he went back inside."
"Well, that just thrills me up and down my spine." She opened the can of soda.
"You didn't let me finish. They left in separate cars and turned in different directions."
"Really?"
"Yep. Hey, want me to come over and keep you company for a while?" he asked.
"No, I think I just want to be alone tonight. Thanks. You're a good spy and brother."
"Love you, sis. Bye."
The call ended. Jenny turned the television on and found an old movie to watch. She brought a bowl from the kitchen to put her chips in and settled back on the couch wrapped in a blanket.
About nine o'clock, just as the next movie was about to start, she heard a knock at her door. Figuring it was Andy coming over anyway, she opened the door.
"I can explain," were the first words out of Derek's mouth. "Please let me in. I brought ice cream." He held up a grocery bag.
He looked so silly standing there with those puppy dog eyes. "Okay, come in." She backed away from the door to let him in. "Follow me to the kitchen."
Jenny noticed that he was now dressed in faded blue jeans and a flannel shirt.
They walked through the living room on the way to the kitchen. "This is a great house," he said.
"Don't be silly. You have a great house. This is just a little cottage. Want some coffee with your ice cream?"
"Decaf?"
"Sure." She filled the carafe with water.
Derek took the ice cream out of the bag sitting it on the counter. "My house isn't a home. It's where I sleep and eat. Well, since my cook left, I don't really eat there much anymore. But, your house is a home. You live your life there. It's cozy and I can feel the warmth that it has."
"Would you get some bowls and spoons from the dish rack?" She poured the water into the coffeemaker, added the filter and coffee, and pushed the start button.
"Here you go." He sat the bowls down and opened the ice cream. "I hope you like Butter Pecan. It's my favorite and I think it will go great with the coffee." He started filling the bowls while she got two coffee cups.
"I love Butter Pecan."
"Good."
They stood in uncomfortable silence with the only sound being the gurgling of the coffeemaker.
"How long have you lived here?" he asked.
"In this house or here in town?"
"Both."
"I've lived in this house for about three years and in River Bluff all my life."
"Really? It seems like I would have remembered you from high school."
Jenny laughed. "You wouldn't remember me. We definitely ran in different crowds and you were three years ahead of me in school."
"But, you remembered me?"
"The coffee's ready. How do you take yours?" She wanted to change the subject to avoid mentioning a crush she had on him in high school.
"Black, please."
She poured their coffee and picked up the cups. "Could you bring the ice cream? We can eat it in the living room."
"I probably should put the carton in the freezer," he said.
"Sure, go ahead." Then, she remembered how empty her freezer was, but it was too late. Derek had already put the ice cream inside, closed the door and carried the bowls to the living room. Damn, he probably thinks I'm too poor to afford food.
"I'm afraid our ice cream has gotten pretty soft." He handed her a bowl.
"Oh, that's okay. I like it that way." She took a spoonful into her mouth.
"Jenny," he sat down next to her on the couch. "I came here to explain what you saw tonight."
"You don't need to explain. You can date whoever you want."
"That's just it, it wasn't a date."
"It wasn't? You two were having dinner in a nice restaurant, so it kinda looked like a date. Not to mention, you told me you were going to be working at home tonight."
"I know and that's what I intended to do. Let me start from the beginning. I was enjoying those scones you sent over today when Colleen came in to my office. She convinced me that after eating your scone, I should probably work out and asked if I wanted to join her at the company fitness center after work. With the stress I've been under lately, I thought a workout would do me some good, so I did.
"While there, we started discussing a problem I'm having at the company, which is what I planned to work on at home. She offered to help, but I didn't want her at my house, so I suggested a working dinner. That's what you saw tonight."
"I'm sorry. I had no right to be jealous and now I've kept you from doing more work at home."
"Actually, you haven't. Thanks to that dinner, I think we've worked out the problem."
"Wait, you said Colleen thought you needed to work out after eating those scones? Those were low fat, healthy treats."
"You're kidding? She had me convinced that they were full of sugar and fat."
"I bet she did," Jenny said under her breath.
"Hey, ice cream isn't the only thing I brought tonight."
"What else did you bring?"
Derek got up and went to the grocery bag and held up the latest Johnny Depp movie on DVD. "Care to watch?"
They spent the
rest of the evening snuggled on the couch watching the movie.
The next morning, Jenny woke up lying on the couch with a blanket over her. The DVD screensaver bounced around the TV screen, and then she realized an arm was draped over her.
Oh no, we fell asleep watching the movie. Just then her cell phone on the table began to ring.
"Let it ring," Derek mumbled.
"Hello... Yes, I'm home." She looked at Derek who was just stirring. "What time is it?"... Oh my gosh! I'm sorry I overslept. I'll be right there." She ended the call and tossed the phone back on the table. "Derek, Derek, wake up."
"What?" He sat up on the couch, trying to wake up."
"We fell asleep and I have to get to work," she said, putting her shoes on. "That was Becky on the phone checking on me. I have to go."
"What time is it?"
"Eight-thirty." She stood.
His eyes sprang open. "Shit. I have a meeting in thirty minutes." He grabbed his shoes and put them on. "Where's my coat?"
"In the kitchen, I think."
He rushed to the kitchen and came right back out with his coat halfway on. "I can't find my keys."
"Check the couch," she said, while pulling her hair into a ponytail with a scrunchy.
With his coat now all the way on, Derek went to the couch and started feeling around the cushions, finally pulling out his keys. "Found them."
"Good." She now had her jacket, scarf, and gloves on and followed Derek to the door.
Before opening it, he stopped and turned. "I had a really good time last night."
"Me, too." She smiled.
He held her face in his hands and leaned down to kiss her. Not just a peck on the cheek, but a full on the lips kiss that ended in an embrace.
"Derek, I'm late for work."
"Oh yeah, me too."
He opened the door and Jenny closed and locked it behind her. Both rushed to their cars and sped off in opposite directions.
* * * *
Derek walked into the boardroom at nine o'clock on the dot. All of the department heads sat around the table with plates of fruit in front of them. Ellen sat near the head of the table, ready to take notes. Colleen sat at the front corner near Derek's chair, which was at the head of the table.
A Kitchen Affair Page 8
