by Rosa, C.
“You’re pretty good at that,” I chuckled. “Undress many cooks in your time?”
“Just Cesar once…A LONG time ago. He doesn’t like to talk about it.”
I laughed even harder, and before I knew it Ricky had me undressed and pulling me into the hot shower with him. He washed my hair, and I washed his, and he took his time scrubbing me down with a loofa and body wash. I smiled, thinking about having the scent of Ricky lingering on my skin.
After all the cleaning was out of the way, Ricky’s lips made their way from my mouth all the way down to my chest.
“I couldn’t stand the thought of you being with that guy,” he said to me in between kisses. “Don’t ever break your promise to me again.”
I could tell he was holding back his anger about Ethan. I nodded, too immersed in the feeling of being kissed all over. At that point, I probably would have agreed to just about anything.
I pressed my hands and face against the wall of the shower, the tile heated by the steam. Ricky grabbed each side of my thighs, burrowing his face into the back of my neck. The moment I felt our bodies connect, I closed my eyes, letting the sensation take over. Being in Ricky’s arms made me sure just how uninterested I was in anything Ethan had to offer. Ethan was clean cut, mannerly…predictable.
I didn’t want clean cut. I didn’t want predictable. I wanted raw, angry, and plain old fucked up. Ricky held me tight until I felt him release, his body going slack as we each took a breath to calm our heaving bodies.
We soaked under the faucet until the hot water ran out. When I hit the bed in Ricky’s tee shirt and boxers I felt as happy as I had in a long time. It was then I noticed the large hole punched through the drywall of his bedroom wall. That explained his battered fist from before.
“I want to wrap my arms around you all night,” he said, getting into the bed.
I nuzzled into his neck, and he kissed my forehead. He turned off the lamp and leaned into me, sweeping one arm over my body.
“Lexy?”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
“For what?” I said, barely awake.
“For taking a chance on me.”
Chapter 20
First Date
MY EYES PEERED open when the smell hit my nose.
Coffee.
I peeled the sheets off, and tied my bed hair back. Walking down the steps, I heard the sizzle of something on the stove, the screech of a pan, and then Ricky cursing under his breath.
“Morning,” I said, sliding into a kitchen chair.
Ricky turned to face me; a frying pan in one hand and a spatula in the other.
“Good morning,” he smiled. “I’m cooking breakfast!”
“I see that. It looks like a pancake factory blew up in here.”
There was dry pancake mix covering every square inch of the counter. A half full carton of eggs laid open next to the stove, and I smelled bacon burning in the pan Ricky was holding.
“Hungry?” he asked. He poured me a cup of coffee and fixed it with some milk.
“Very.”
“Good…because I’m pretty sure most of this stuff will be edible when I’m done cooking it.”
I laughed. “Would you like some help?”
“No,” he smirked. “Think you’re the only one who knows their way around the kitchen?” He flipped a pancake in the air, and it landed with a splat on the floor.
I busted out laughing, getting up to help him clean it.
“I got it. Just sit and relax,” he insisted.
I did as I was told, and watched Ricky cook the rest of breakfast in his underwear.
When it was all said and done, he managed to salvage three pancakes, one egg, and five pieces of bacon from the burnt pile of food.
“This is exceptional,” I said, putting another forkful in my mouth. “I can’t remember the last time I had bacon so…crunchy before.” I tried to say it with a serious face, but couldn’t help chuckling. “Thank you. No one’s cooked for me in a long time.”
“How long?” he asked.
I shifted my eyes around the room. “Months.”
A few days before his wife found out what we were doing, Danny had come to my apartment late after closing the restaurant. He was hungry, as usual, and raided my fridge to make one of his famous concoctions made from random ingredients. That was his best one yet: Panini made with leftover lamb and scrambled eggs and arugula.
Ricky got up to collect the plates. “I bet it wasn’t as good as this.”
“Not even close,” I said. “And the company is way better too.” I smiled and planted a kiss on his lips.
Ricky dropped the plates in the sink and hoisted me up onto the counter. The granite was cold against my bare skin.
“I want to make you so happy,” he said to me, cradling my face.
I closed my eyes and felt the warm touch of his lips on my forehead. “You already do.”
* * *
Ricky decided to close the bar for one day to give everyone a chance to get over last night’s fiasco. Plus, I was his temporary back up cook, and he wanted to take me out on a date.
He dropped me off at my house around noon and promised to be back to pick me up later. He wouldn’t even give me a hint to where we would be going. After a while, I stopped pestering and let him walk around with a goofy grin on his face.
I jiggled my key in the front door, praying that my mother wasn’t home. She had the garage door fixed and loved parking her new car in it. I found it rather annoying since I now had to brace myself every time I walked in the house.
I paused in the foyer, waving to Ricky as he drove away. The house seemed quite, and I let out a breath of relief that she wasn’t there. I was still wearing my clothes from last night and knew she would notice the second I walked in the door.
I had one foot on the first step.
“Who was that?”
I flinched. “Mom…you scared me.”
She was sitting on the sofa, reading a book; the cat nestled in between her feet.
“Why are you wearing the same clothes as you were last night?” She sat up. “Was that Ethan?” She looked out the window. “Did you two go out last night?”
“Mom! Stop with the questions. I’m tired, and I need a shower.”
“I hope you don’t screw this one up Alexa,” she said, focusing her eyes back on her book. “Lord knows ever since your father died you’ve been involving yourself with one delinquent after another.”
I leaned my head against the side of the banister. “Yes, mother.”
“Ethan is a good boy. I can tell. He’s the kind that will take care of you. Isn’t it time you moved on from all those immature boys? You need a real relationship.”
“Yes, mother.”
“Good,” she said, smiling. “I’m glad you’re finally listening.”
I trotted up the steps and closed the door, my mother’s word still ringing in my ear. I thought back when I had first moved to California. I was only eighteen and thought I had it all figured out. My first month there, I barely called home, convincing myself that I was on my own. I didn’t need to hear my mom’s voice, as annoying as she was, and my dad was dead so that took care of itself. By the end of the third month, I was so homesick I was calling my mom almost everyday. I would tell her everything from what I was learning at school to the guy I was going out with later in the week. She never held back from saying how she really felt. It wasn’t long before I learned what to share and what to keep to myself.
* * *
Fifteen minutes until six o’clock and Ricky was already here. I scrambled to find my other high heel before my mom got to the door, but I wasn’t fast enough. I scurried down the steps, holding both of my shoes.
“Thanks mom,” I said, slipping a shoe in each foot. Ricky stood frozen, a bouquet of flowers in his hand. He handed them to me, and my nose caught their beautiful scent.
“So where are you two headed off to tonight?” she asked. Her tone
was more serious, so unlike the high-pitched voice she used with Ethan. Her mouth was upturned in a frown as her eyes jumped from the tattoos on Ricky’s arms.
“It’s a surprise,” Ricky said, smiling at me.
“We better get going,” I urged.
“Alexa, honey. Before you go…can you just help me with something?” She nodded her head towards the kitchen.
“I’ll be right out,” I told Ricky, winking. He nodded and headed towards the car.
Once we got to the kitchen, I closed my eyes and crossed my arms, waiting for her to unleash.
“I don’t think Ethan would be to happy if he knew that you were going on a date with that boy,” she said. Her face was so serious that it almost made me laugh.
“Mother…you’re joking right?” I paused, waiting for her to respond. “Ethan and I went out once. We are not a couple. We aren’t even dating.”
“But…that boy’s been to JAIL!” She whispered the word like the room was full of people. “Not to mention he’s covered in tattoos!”
“I gotta’ go. I love you. You’re crazy. But I love you.”
I kissed her on the cheek and walked away.
“Alexa,” she said.
I stopped and turned.
“You look beautiful.”
I smiled and walked out of the door still managing to feel excited about my date.
* * *
“So, how long do I have to keep this thing on?” I asked. I grazed my fingers over the apron Ricky used as a blindfold, covering my eyes.
“Until I say you can take it off.”
I turned my head in the direction of his voice. “You’re real helpful.”
“Don’t whine,” he said.
I could smell the cigarette smoke in the car. Ricky reached for my hand and laced it around his.
“You look beautiful tonight,” he said, pecking each one of my fingers. “That dress is even prettier than the last one you wore.”
Ironically, it’s one my mom picked out on our shopping trip. I was surprised at how much I liked it when she insisted I try it on.
“You said the last dress barely had any material. I think this one is just as bad.”
“I don’t mind,” Ricky teased.
“You did before.”
“That’s because you didn’t wear it with me. How am I supposed to protect you from wandering eyes if you wear it when I’m not around?”
“I see,” I chuckled.
An hour later, I felt the car come to a complete stop and the car door alarm dinging.
“Can I take it off now?”
I felt a breeze as the door on my side swung open and Ricky’s fingers undid the knot in the back of the apron.
It took my eyes a few minutes to come into focus.
“A parking garage? How romantic,” I said.
Ricky managed to smile even harder than before. “Come with me.” He reached out his hand and led me to the elevators, out into the street.
“Philly?” I asked as he guided me down the block. All he did was nod.
We walked a couple of blocks before making it though another building. Ricky whipped out his cell phone.
“We’re here,” he said. He ended the call, and stuffed the phone back into the pocket of his black pants. “It’ll be a just a minute,” he said to me.
I sauntered over to him, and tugged at the collar of his button down shirt. “What will?” I asked. The anticipation was killing me.
“You’ll see.”
I kissed him hard on the mouth, pulling him close to my body. Grabbing his hand, I placed it high on my thigh, just above the hem of my dress.
“Don’t start what you can’t finish,” he mumbled, my mouth still on his lips.
“Who said I wasn’t going to finish?”
He smirked, and I pulled away when I heard the door next to us open.
Ricky grabbed my hand and led me through the double doors, my cheeks burning red as the man holding the door smiled.
He led us through a small lobby that smelled like fresh paint. The elevator ride up took a few minutes, and when it finally opened, we walked into the most spectacular dining room I had ever seen. The entire front of the room was lined with crystal clear windows, floor to ceiling, the Philadelphia skyline shimmering in the night sky. Dining tables made from dark wood were arranged elegantly around the room.
Our guide led us around the bar, which glowed with a soft white light. We passed a hollowed out wall, every square inch covered with wine bottles. “Wait here just a minute.”
I looked at Ricky, nestling my face into his arm. “What is this place?” I asked.
“Do you like it?”
“Like it? It’s amazing.”
He kissed me on the forehead when I noticed someone approaching from around the corner. He was tall and round in the middle. He wore a white chef jacket and black pants.
“Ricky!” he said with a smile. He offered his hand out and shook it firmly. “It’s good to see you again.”
“You too. Thanks so much for getting back to me so soon.”
“Is this the lovely lady you spoke of?” he asked, offering his hand to me.
“Robert…this is my girlfriend, Alexa. Alexa this is Robert Park.”
My stomach churned at the sound of his name. Robert Park was the most well known chef on this side of the country. While I was still in California, I had heard about the new restaurant he was planning to open in Philadelphia.
“It’s nice to meet you Chef,” I said, taking his hand.
“Call me Bobby. Ricky tells me you graduated from culinary school.”
“Three years ago,” I said. “I worked as a station chef at D & B Prime before I moved back home.”
Robert looked impressed. “D & B Prime, huh? I’ve heard of that place. It’s got a wonderful reputation.”
“She’s amazing in the kitchen,” Rickey beamed. “I know one day she’s going to have her own place.”
I smiled sheepishly. “Your restaurant is unbelievable.”
“Let me give you a tour.” We followed Robert to the immaculate kitchen where I listened to him explain how he and a few of his close staff were working on dishes to prepare for their opening night in just a few days.
“So, are you two hungry?” he asked.
“Are you kidding?” I replied.
We chose a booth that was nestled in a corner, directly facing the window. Robert disappeared back into the kitchen, promising to return shortly.
“How did you do this?” I asked Ricky, looking around. It was taking all I had not to bounce up and down in my seat.
“I called in a favor,” he said coyly. “I met Bobby a while ago.” He leaned in his lips close to my ear. “Anger management,” he whispered.
“Really?” I mouthed.
Ricky nodded his head and smiled.
A few minutes later the parade of food began: lobster salad and foie gras spring rolls, roasted tuna loin with baby bok choy, red wine-braised short ribs served with a potato puree. Ricky and I ate every last bite, happily sipping Pinot Noir.
“You introduced me as your girlfriend,” I said, taking a sip from my glass. I swished the liquid in my mouth and felt it warm my chest as it slid down.
“Is that okay?” Ricky asked.
“Yeah,” I smiled. “More than okay.”
Ricky paused mid-chew and leaned in for a kiss. I caressed the side of his stubbly jaw line, for a few seconds marveling in the serenity of his brooding eyes.
Just when I thought I couldn’t eat anymore, Robert brought out a dessert medley of coconut cake and crème brulee.
I dropped my fork on the plate. “If I eat anymore I’m going to burst out of this dress,” I said.
“Nothing wrong with that,” Ricky teased.
I looked out into the skyline, soaking in the breath-taking view. “This is amazing.” I turned to see Ricky staring at me. “Thank you.”
He planted a soft kiss on my lips, hovering his face close to mine, g
ently brushing back the hair behind my ear.
“I love you, Alexa.” His voice trembled.
“Ricky-”
“I know it hasn’t been that long since you’ve been home, but I don’t care.” He grabbed my hand from under the table. “I wanted to tell you before you left for school. I should have told you then how I felt, but I was a coward, and I couldn’t. When you moved away, I thought I had lost my chance. But then you came back to me. The way I feel about you…I’ve never felt with anyone else. You see past my bullshit, you always have. You understand me, and when I’m with you I never feel like anything is beyond my reach. I love you, Lexy, and I wanted to tell you that before I missed my chance again.”
If I hadn’t already been sitting, Ricky’s speech would have put me on the floor. It’s something I never would have expected to hear out of his mouth, and at that moment I became speechless. Mia had mentioned, more than once, at his longstanding crush on me. I never let myself believe it.
Thinking about the memories I had of him, it was all starting to make sense. All the times he walked me to class barely uttering a single word, the incident with Jimmy Serrano, all the hours he spent at my house after my dad died. I had always thought it was just a ploy to sleep with me. I never considered for even a second that could have been anything more, too busy convincing myself that he was nothing but trouble.
“You don’t have to say it back,” he said. “It’s not why I said it. I’ve been holding that in for years, and I wanted to let you know.” He gave me a shy smile, and finished the last sip of his wine. He didn’t give me a chance to respond and changed the subject back to the meal.
Robert made one final appearance and walked us back to the elevator. I thanked him profusely, and he invited us back when everything was in full swing.
The elevator ride was silent and the car ride home too. I replayed Ricky’s words over in my head.
“Will you stay with me tonight?” Ricky said.
I agreed, and he drove me to my house to pick up a change of clothes. It was almost midnight by the time we were in the driveway at my mom’s house so I was surprised to see the light on in the kitchen.
“Wait right here. I’ll only be a minute.” I walked into the house and it smelled like a mixture of mint and lemon. In the kitchen, mom was by the counter, a steaming teakettle in hand.
