Gracie gave her an appreciative nod. “That would be fitting, wouldn’t it?”
Candy-making was a physically demanding job that required stamina, strength, and long hours on your feet. Pilar noted that Gracie straddled a stool while she worked, her very pregnant belly grazing the tabletop as she spread melted chocolate over a sheet of nougat.
“This is Myla, Gracie’s assistant and niece. She recently graduated from the International Culinary Institute and is apprenticing here.”
“Welcome,” Myla said, raising a marshmallow covered spatula in greeting.
“Jean Claude, come meet Pilar,” Emily called out.
The young black man overseeing an industrial machine wrapping caramels and taffy in wax paper, shut it off and came over to greet her. Tall and lanky, a bright smile took up half of his long, angular face as he shook her hand.
“Pleased to meet you, Chef Pilar,” he said in a Haitian accent. “I’m eager to learn from you.”
“Great. I’m glad you’ll be assisting me in creating the desserts,” Pilar said. “Emily has high praise for you.”
Jean Claude’s smile widened as he nodded and then returned to his station.
“Come, I’ll show you the chocolate room.” Emily led Pilar to an alcove area that smelled dreamily of chocolate. “It’s my haven,” she confided, “I’ve had a passion for chocolate since I could talk and ask for it.”
Pilar giggled at Emily’s guilty face. “Me too. No wonder I like you. At the restaurant, I make my chocolates by hand because I don’t need such a large quantity.” She recognized the chocolate depositor, enrober and tempering machines from her days in culinary school. “You have impressive equipment here.”
“We use the very finest ingredients for the two-dozen different flavors of our ganache chocolates. Every season we showcase some flavors infused with liqueur. This year it’s Grand Marnier and—”
“Mind if we join the party?” a female voice called out.
Pilar turned and saw Jessica enter the room on Jake’s arm.
Jessica ran over to hug Emily. “Emily, I hope you don’t mind me crashing your workspace, but I told Jake I just had to see you!” she gushed.
“Not at all. I’m happy you’re here. How are your parents? They must be thrilled you’re moving back to New York.”
“They are. I’m afraid they’re spoiling me rotten.” Jessica grinned. “The perils of being an only child.”
Emily laughed. “Guilty. I like to spoil Jake when he visits too. I can’t help it. I love his company.”
“That makes two of us.” Jessica’s eyes roved Jake’s leaving no doubt to anyone present that she’d love more of his company.
“Have you met Chef Pilar?” Emily asked.
“I did. Jake introduced us earlier.” Jessica looked around the room. “Wow. I can’t imagine how you stay so slim with this constant temptation.”
“A little chocolate never hurt anyone,” Emily said. “Right, Pilar? We’re fortunate that Pilar came here from Naples, Florida to create the desserts for our 25th anniversary party.”
“Yes, Jake mentioned she’s a cook at a Mexican restaurant,” Jessica said.
“I’m a pastry chef,” Pilar corrected. “I studied at the Culinary Institute in San Antonio. And Tequila Sunset is my family’s restaurant.” Well, technically, it was Gabe’s restaurant, but the whole family felt like it was theirs.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to offend you.” Jessica gave a self-deprecating shrug. “I can’t boil an egg for the life of me. Cook, pastry chef, it’s all foreign to me. I’m just glad I don’t have to do it.”
“Not everyone has the talent,” Emily said mildly.
Jessica winked at Jake. “Too bad you and I don’t have a sweet tooth.” She touched Emily’s arm. “No offense, Emily.”
“None taken,” Emily said. “Jake may just develop a sweet tooth after he tastes Pilar’s desserts.”
“I plan to try them all. From what I’ve heard, I’ll be in for a treat.” Jake’s arresting blue eyes connected with Pilar’s, sending a rush of pleasure through her.
Jessica’s smile vanished, and she checked her watch. “I have to get going. Some of us are getting together at Soho House tonight for drinks. I hope you’ll join us,” she said eyeing Jake with a playful smile.
“Sorry, I have another commitment, Jess,” Jake hedged.
“Aw, don’t be a killjoy. Try to stop by. We’ll be there till late.” She gave a cryptic pause and arched her brows. “Someone you haven’t seen in a long time will be there…” she said in a sing-song voice.
“Who?” Jake said.
“If I tell you then it won’t be a surprise. Hope to see you later.” Jessica fluttered her fingertips at Jake and blew Emily a kiss before she pranced away.
Chapter 4
The following day, the hours flew by as Pilar worked alongside The Sweet Spot’s industrious employees, embracing their hive closeness. The conversation flowed freely, and she learned a lot about the people who made the candy shop hum with activity. Each one had a story that was interesting and surprisingly poignant.
After a late lunch, the crew lapsed into silence. As the day came to an end, they worked industriously against the backdrop of Christmas music, engrossed in their tasks.
Pilar had set out very early in the morning after leaving a note for Emily on the kitchen counter. Relishing the start of a fresh, new day, she had grabbed a bagel with salmon and cream cheese spread and a latte at a diner and savored her New York style breakfast on her way to work. She stopped several times along Madison Avenue, immersing her senses in the sights and sounds of a bustling city awakening to a bright, cold December day.
Last night, Emily had taken Pilar to a Greek restaurant for dinner where Emily had been warmly greeted by the owner and the wait staff. Pilar was struck by how different Emily’s life would be when she moved away. In Naples, she would have to start anew building a community of friends.
Jake had acted like it was a done deal that his mother would move in January, but Emily hadn’t mentioned anything about it during their conversation last night. Instead, she had talked about Jessica. She’d wanted Pilar to know that Jake and Jessica were childhood friends and had never dated. She’d told her that she suspected Jessica wanted more than a friendship with him, and that Jessica’s parents would love nothing more than to see them married.
But Emily had made it clear that she disagreed with them. She hadn’t elaborated why, and Pilar hadn’t pried because it seemed too presumptuous. She didn’t want to give Emily the impression that she was planning to compete with Jessica for Jake’s attention.
When Jake got in late last night, Pilar had checked her watch as she heard him walking down the hall to his bedroom. 2:18 a.m. Had he met up with Jessica at Soho House after all? Pilar didn’t want to dwell on his whereabouts or his feelings for the flirty redhead, but she couldn’t help wondering about them.
Bent over and concentrating on her work, Pilar was lost in thought and didn’t notice anyone standing before her until he cleared his throat loudly. Startled, her eyes flew open and met Jake’s deep blue eyes.
“Oh, hey,” she said, feeling everyone’s attention zero in on them.
Jake’s gaze held hers and awareness spread through her in a slow burn. He was the handsomest man she’d ever met, and the most compelling. His self-assured masculinity made her pulse accelerate, and she felt her cheeks glowing pink from the heat creeping into them.
A faint smile hovered on his lips as he said, “You have an incredibly expressive face.”
“You surprised me,” she said hastily. “When did you come in?”
“I just got here. I saw your note on the kitchen counter. You must have left really early.”
“I did.”
“You’ve put in a long day. How about some dinner and sightseeing?”
“I’d love that,” Pilar said.
“Good call,” Gracie chimed in with an approving nod. “It’s time to wrap things
up here.”
“I hope you’ll go home soon and put your feet up,” Pilar said, eyeing Gracie’s swollen ankles. She suspected the baby would be here soon. Gracie’s distended belly had danced with the baby’s kicks all afternoon.
“I will as soon as I finish this batch.” Gracie beamed at her. “Thanks for caring.”
“Of course,” Pilar murmured.
Jake smiled at Gracie. “Congrats on the baby. Is it your first?”
“Yes, and she’ll probably be the one and only,” Gracie said frankly. “I’m not getting any younger.”
“None of us are,” Jake murmured. He raised a brow at Pilar. “Ready?”
“Sure.” Pilar untied the bandana around her head and took down her ponytail, letting the strands cascade over her shoulders. She unbuttoned her white chef’s coat and folded it neatly before tucking it into her tote bag.
“Bye, guys,” she called out as she slipped into her coat, heartened by the friendly well-wishes that followed her exit.
Jake had never seen anyone eat a slice of pizza with as much zest as Pilar. She held the slice folded in the middle and sank her teeth into the tip as she closed her eyes and moaned. “This is, hands down, the most delicious pizza I’ve eaten,” she proclaimed between bites. “Everyone seems to know you here. It was the same with Emily last night at the Greek restaurant.”
“That’s because we’ve been frequenting them for years.” Jake refilled their wine glasses as he took in her beauty. The end corners of her almond-shaped eyes, the tip of her small nose and her pink lips all tilted upwards giving her face a sweetness that was proving irresistible. He wanted to taste the plush softness of her lips and glide his hands through her glossy hair.
She tilted her head and turned quizzical eyes on him. “What?”
He snapped out of her enticing web of attraction and said, “How did everything go today?”
“It went really well. Your mom has an excellent set-up and a great crew working for her. They love their work and it shows in the end product.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“It is, but I’m a bit worried about them…” she trailed off as she nibbled on a piece of crust.
“Why?”
She chewed thoughtfully and considered his question. “Gracie told me that she and her husband have been trying to have a baby for years. She did IVF as a last resort and finally got pregnant, but it was very expensive. Her insurance didn’t cover it.” Her troubled gaze met his. “What will Gracie do when you sell or close the shop? She and her husband incurred a lot of debt from the procedure. What will she do without insurance for her baby?”
“She can get insurance through Cobra. As far as getting another job, I can open some doors for her.”
“That would be great.” She hesitated. “But what about Jean Claude?”
Jake stared at her, wondering what was coming next. “What about him?”
“His wife is pregnant with twins, and they have a two-year old little boy. She was planning to quit her job and stay home with the kids because day care would be more expensive than what she makes at her job in the hotel. Will you help Jean Claude get a job too?”
“Sure, I’ll see what I can do.” She had only met these people yesterday yet talking about their dilemma seemed to distress her. She looked like she was carrying the weight of the world on her shoulders. He leaned forward and peered into her earnest eyes. “Is anything else worrying you, Pilar?”
She ran her finger up and down the stem of her wine glass but didn’t drink any. “I’m also concerned about Myla. She’s working two jobs to go to chef school next year. She’s been living with Gracie to save on rent, but the tiny apartment is cramped with the three of them. When the baby arrives, she’ll have to find a place to live and a new job if your plan goes through for The Sweet Spot.”
He ran a hand through his hair and exhaled heavily. “That’s a tough situation. How did you find all that out in just one day of meeting them?”
“I talked to them,” she said casually. “I didn’t pry, but I wanted to know more about them because the end of their jobs is near.”
“Oh.” He paused. “Thanks for opening my eyes about their situation.” In just one day, Pilar had made a personal connection with the employees that he barely knew. Sure, he often greeted them and made small talk, but he’d never really gotten to know any of them well, other than Choco Bear. “Why are you so concerned?” he said, impressed by her empathy.
“Because they’re all struggling to make ends meet. I can relate to Myla. I remember how badly I wanted to become a pastry chef. It was a fire in me. I was lucky that my aunt and uncle lived in San Antonio, and I lived with them while I was in culinary school. All through high school, I worked hard after school and saved every penny for tuition, but it wasn’t enough. My abuelita generously supplemented what I needed. I couldn’t have done it without my family’s help.”
Jake took her hand and squeezed it gently, enjoying the pliant softness of her skin. “Don’t worry about them. I’ll do my best to make sure they have a smooth transition when the shop closes or sells.”
A radiant smile illuminated her face. “I knew you would.”
“Oh?” he said, inordinately pleased by her faith in him. “How did you know that?”
“Because you’re so caring with your mother. I couldn’t imagine you not being caring with others.”
A low, wry laugh escaped him. “Don’t give me a halo,” he said with a shake of his head.
She laughed. “I wasn’t planning to. I have two brothers who are great guys and family men, but I wouldn’t give either one of them a halo.”
“What should we do now? I can take you to Dizzy’s jazz club. The music is always good, and the view from Time Warner Center is amazing. Or we can have a taste of old New York at Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle. What do you think?”
“Thanks, that all sounds wonderful, but what I really want to do is buy a Christmas tree for your mom.” Her eyes sparkled with excitement. “Will you take me to choose one?”
“You want to get a Christmas tree?” He hadn’t expected that. Most girls would have chosen either of his suggestions.
“Yes, can we do it tonight while Emily is at the Broadway show? She said she wouldn’t get home till after eleven.”
“Sure. There’s a guy selling trees in front of the church down the block from her place. We can pick one up there.”
“Oh, good.” Satisfied, she drank deeply of the wine she’d barely touched earlier.
He studied her for a long moment. She was full of surprises tonight. Earlier, when he’d asked her what kind of food she was in the mood for, she’d told him she wanted to taste a genuine New York pizza. She was unpretentious and fun. When he’d first met her, he’d been struck by her exotic beauty, but now he was intrigued by how natural she was. It was refreshing to meet someone so sensitive and caring.
“That’s incredibly thoughtful of you to suggest getting a tree,” he said. “Mom has always decorated her home for Christmas with all her heart, but this year with Dad’s passing, she hasn’t had the will to do it.”
Pilar gave a sad little sigh. “I understand. I didn’t want to overstep, but your mom has been so wonderful to me.” She smiled shyly. “So have you. I want to surprise her with a beautifully decorated tree.”
“She will love it,” he said with a pang of nostalgia. Every year, his mom and dad had bought a tree right after Thanksgiving and decked it with Jake’s childhood ornaments and decorations from their trips abroad.
“Will you help me decorate it?”
“Of course. I know where she keeps all the ornaments stored.”
A beguiling smile reached her sparkling eyes, and at that moment he would do anything to keep her smiling.
“What are we waiting for?” She set her wine glass down. “I can’t wait to get started.”
Jake summoned the server and paid the check. He was surprised at the first spark of Christmas spirit he’d felt since
he’d arrived, but he welcomed it. He had been shunning holiday cheer and was weary of the bleak emptiness he felt at facing Christmas without his dad.
He missed him so damn much. The loss had hit him again the moment he’d stepped inside his childhood home and noticed how somber everything looked without the usual Christmas decorations. He knew Mom was doing her best to be upbeat and keep things normal during what had to be a very painful time for her—the first Christmas without her beloved husband.
The longing in Jake’s heart for his father was somehow alleviated by Pilar’s charming idea to decorate a tree for them to enjoy. It lifted Jake’s spirits and touched his heart.
As he led her out into the cold winter night, she looked up at him with limpid chocolate eyes and a face glowing with enthusiasm. Something stirred deep inside of him. Something he hadn’t felt in a very long time. A yearning for a deep personal connection.
He’d been emotionally alone for so long, it unnerved him how quickly Pilar had gotten to him. Her inherent gentleness and compassion made him want to take her in his arms and cherish her. He’d never met anyone like her.
Chapter 5
When Jake and Pilar walked into the townhouse lugging the tree, Suzette was waiting for them in the foyer, barking up a storm and wagging her tail frenetically. Gussied up in a holiday tartan vest with red bows on her fluffy ears, Suzette looked ready for a doggie fashion parade.
“Sorry, Duchess, can’t pick you up right now. I’ll give you a treat later if you’re a good girl,” Jake said in a cajoling voice.
“Aw, you’re a sweet dog daddy,” Pilar teased.
“I’m not her daddy. According to Mom, I’m the little rug rat’s brother,” he said drolly.
Pilar raised a brow. “Do I detect sibling rivalry?”
“Nope. I’m just not her daddy. But you can call me daddy anytime.” His eyes glinted with devilry.
Pilar’s lips lifted in a surprised grin. She hadn’t seen this side of Jake, and she liked it. “I’ll keep that in mind.” She picked up Suzette and instantly got lots of kisses from her. “How’s the little princess?” Pilar cooed. “Look at you. So pretty and stylish.”
The Holiday Sweet Spot: An opposites attract, gorgeous, feel-good romantic comedy (Falcons in Love Book 2) Page 4
