The Ingredients for Happiness

by Lucy Knott

  Her belly grumbled once more. Food. She gave Dan a teasing smirk and blew him a kiss before bounding out of the bedroom. Food was most definitely important. As was cooking for her family. The gorgeous man sprawled out across her bed; well, she knew he’d forgive her once he got a taste of today’s menu.

  *

  ‘Oh my god!’ Louisa shouted the minute she stepped foot out of Amanda’s car in the small parking lot opposite Torta per Tutti. ‘This is not your café! I don’t believe it. You did this?’ Louisa practically screeched as she ran around the bay window, her eyes darting over the awning, the paint and trying to peak through the closed blinds. Amanda couldn’t help chuckling at her sister’s enthusiasm and the attention it was drawing from passersby.

  Amanda didn’t even have it in her to crack a sarcastic comment about bringing her sister to someone else’s cafe. A clever line had got choked up in her throat with the fact that she had in fact bloody done it and yes, this was her café. Quickly swatting away her tears she unlocked the door while Louisa jumped up and down behind her, eager to see inside. Over the threshold Louisa gasped, ‘It’s stunning, it’s absolutely stunning. Brava sis. Wow,’ before she ran off to admire the place.

  Bustling behind Amanda signalled her family’s arrival; Dan getting closer with Nanna on his arm and his mum following closely with her mum and dad.

  Suddenly Amanda felt ridiculous; her cheeks flamed. She blinked a few times to get rid of the fuzziness in her head, but it dawned on her that this was the first time Nanna was seeing Torta per Tutti, the first time her zias would be welcomed into her home, the first time Dan’s mum would get to see the crazy vision her and Dan had been rambling on about for years. For weeks she had worried about what the press were saying about her café. She had been agonizing over what restaurant reviewers would say about her food, but that was nothing compared to the bubbles that gurgled in her stomach now. These were the people that mattered; what her nanna thought meant everything to her. Would her nanna think that Amanda had done good by her grandpa too?

  ‘Mamma mia, cara mia,’ Nanna said, reaching Amanda’s side. ‘It’s marvelous.’ Tears sprinkled down Nanna’s face and before Amanda knew it, her face was wet too. Amanda cursed her eyeliner for her not being able to wipe away her tears.

  ‘Your grandpa would be so proud, cara. So proud,’ Nanna said, squeezing Amanda’s arms before pulling her forcefully down to her level with all the strength only an Italian nonna possessed, to hug her and kiss her cheeks. ‘Grazie Nanna,’ Amanda said, wrapping her arms around her nanna’s neck and hugging her tight. Amanda’s cheeks were then pinched and kissed until raw as Zia Emilia, Zia Rosa and Zia Sofia congratulated her. ‘Brava, bambola, brava,’ Zia Sofia whispered, tears sparkling in her own eyes.

  When Amanda was content that she had shown her Nanna and Zias every nook and cranny of the café, she inched towards the kitchen, eager to start cooking today’s menu. First, she would get the coffee brewing, pull out a few leftover pastries for breakfast and set them up out front as her family milled about. Sabrina and the rest of the boys would be around later, and she had offered her Easter dinner invitation to Tyler, Francesca, Kate and Liam too and would love it if they were able to make it. Her heart was full that she was able to host this Easter in her very own café and the chatter she could hear while cooking gave her food that extra dash of love.

  *

  All her favourite people in the entire world were in her café, safe, happy and together around the table. Screw the eyeliner and mascara, Amanda thought as she tried to quell the tears that trickled down her cheeks due to laughter from the current conversation she was having and the sheer overwhelming love in her heart from the scene around her.

  ‘You mean to say that you kept it all from Amanda?’ Emma mock-admonished her son from across the table for being so sneaky. Dan shrugged casually, that confident side smile of his causing a dimple to appear in his cheek. He wasn’t fair. ‘He didn’t tell me anything, not a sausage,’ Amanda said, swatting at Dan’s leg that was next to hers, but he caught her hand in his and brought it to his chest. Through his loose buttoned silky shirt and beneath his tattooed pecs, she could feel his heart beating. Why did this man always cause desire to flood through her at the most inappropriate of times? Maybe she should have let him see to her desires this morning instead of succumbing to breakfast. He smirked at her knowingly.

  ‘We can keep secrets, you know. We wouldn’t have told her,’ Louisa said indignantly, referring to Dan and Levi’s secret keeping of Levi’s proposal, while puffing out her chest, making the glitter on her cropped long-sleeved pink top sparkle under the open light bulb.

  ‘Ahh, you might be able to keep secrets Louisa,’ Dan started, winking at Louisa and titling his head towards Amanda in lieu of finishing his sentence. He brought Amanda’s hand up to his lips and kissed her palm softly. Amanda prodded him in the chest with her other hand, knowing full well what he was attesting to and stuck out her tongue. Mature, she was not.

  Everyone was seated around the table, wine glasses filled to the top, juice for Francesca’s kids, plates brimming with food, laughter and chatter in the air. Amanda stood up, bringing her glass with her.

  ‘First and foremost, can we please salute to the newly engaged.’ Cue clapping, cheers, hollers and wolf whistles from James and Tyler – who was in town for a few more days before he had to be back in LA to begin recording his next album. ‘Levi and Sabrina, we are all so happy for you both. You make such a beautiful couple, an amazing team and we all wish you an abundance of love and happiness and a whole lot of fun going forward.’ More cheers and congratulations made their way around the table. ‘Secondly, I just wanted to raise a glass to our amazing baby sister. Louisa you are making us so proud. In a few short months you have busted out of your comfort zone, brought some absolutely stunning pieces to life and admittingly have made us a teeny bit jealous with your Italian adventures. We love you and I am so grateful that you are here today.’ Amanda’s eyes grew a tad misty – how could she possibly have any more tears left?

  ‘Thank you to you all for being here. I can’t quite believe that you are all here.’ Amanda laughed, shaking her head at Dan. ‘There wouldn’t even be a here if it wasn’t for all your love, support, help and belief in me and my dreams. Thank you all for everything. I love each and every one of you. Buona appetito e salute,’ Amanda finished to a round of glasses clinking and a chorus of, ‘Salute!’.

  She took her seat. Plates were passed around the table. Salami, prosciutto, caciocavallo, provolone picante and olives all whizzed past her eyes. For a moment she simply sat back and watched her family digging in. Then she turned to her side to find Dan gazing at her, his deep brown eyes studying her. She grabbed his hand and tugged it a little, standing up and indicating that she wished for him to do the same. ‘Scusaci.’ She nodded in the direction of the table, though everyone was far too engrossed in the divine spread of fresh breads and meats before them to notice her quick march into the kitchen. Dan came in at a much slower pace a few seconds after. His movements sure and calm, their discussion this morning lending itself to his more Dan-like demeanour throughout today.

  Amanda squinted at him. Her eyes wandered over his blue jeans and loose printed shirt. He had his sleeves scrunched up so she could see his toned forearms and inked skin. He ran a hand through his curly locks. His hair was longer than he’d ever had it since she met him four years ago and it only accentuated his chiseled features and beauty.

  ‘You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met, you know,’ Amanda said, putting her hand through his hair and tracing his jawline with her fingertips.

  His tongue appeared; he ran it over his bottom lip, stopping at the corner of his lips where that side smile of his took over; sexy came effortlessly to him and it made Amanda’s knees buckle. He held her up by catching her hips. She bit down on her bottom lip and a smirk played on his for a teasing second before he kissed her. It was a deep, hungry kiss, filled with not only pas
sion and want, but a need, a vulnerability and tenderness that deepened her connection to him. Amanda had always felt that strong pull towards Dan, since the day they met. She saw beneath his cool exterior and he saw through her stubborn heart. Four years they had known each other, but it had only been a little under four months now that she could kiss his lips and feel that surge of love for him in an entirely different way; in a way that she didn’t believe could be more powerful, but it was. How could she possibly love him more than she already did? But she did. Since they began dating, every kiss was like a new experience that unlocked more pieces of her soul. And when she felt Dan’s soul reach out to hers, she felt drunk, dizzy and yet an unexplainable sense of calm.

  ‘When you kiss me like that, all the craziness vanishes,’ Amanda said, pulling away from his kiss a little breathlessly, resting her head on his forehead. In heels she could match his height. “Are we good now? No more secrets? Unless, you know it’s the likes of marriage proposals.” Amanda added with a playful roll of her eyes; she couldn’t believe the thought of Dan helping Levi with something as wonderful as a marriage proposal hadn’t crossed her mind. Some secrets weren’t exactly terrible.

  ‘Is that a proposition for me to never stop kissing you? Because that works for me,’ he said, rubbing his nose against hers. “And yes, we’re more than good and no more secrets unless …” Dan’s voice trailed off, his lips finding hers once more. There was no need for more words, they were on the same page and it made Amanda’s insides flutter with excitement and possibilities for their future together. Amanda’s hands were on Dan’s neck, his hands strong yet gentle in her hair, holding her head to where he needed her, to keep her, to kiss her.

  ‘I’m pretty sure this kitchen’s for making food in, man, not babies.’ Levi’s smooth voice dragged Amanda unwillingly out of the other world Dan’s kiss had transported her to. She took a stumbling step back, bumping into the kitchen island, making Levi laugh. Dan wasn’t fazed, his hands simply dropped to her lower back, keeping her steady, before he took his time to turn around and address his best friend.

  ‘Can we help you?’ Dan asked Levi, as he flipped his unruly curls over his head. This action didn’t do a thing to Levi but caused Amanda’s breath to hitch.

  ‘Just wanted to say thanks dude, is all,’ Levi started, walking closer to Dan and reaching out his hand. ‘Thanks for last night. I couldn’t have pulled it off without you.’ Dan shook Levi’s hand and pulled him in for a hug. Amanda watched them both, her heart bursting with love for her boyfriend and now soon to be brother-in-law.

  ‘Come here you,’ Levi said turning to Amanda once Dan had released him. She stepped forward into his embrace. ‘Sorry if I hogged your boyfriend a little too much these past few months and made you worry. He’s been like my personal assistant trying to pull off arranging trips and getting our moms here. I know it wasn’t easy for him keeping it all a secret from you, but I promise, he’s all yours now and thank you for this gorgeous celebration today,’ Levi added, giving her a squeeze and sending Dan a wink, no doubt teasing him about the personal assistant part.

  Amanda chuckled at Levi’s use of the word gorgeous but appreciated his sentiment about Dan; everyone had been aware of the tension. She felt grateful to have friends who she could feel open with and who loved her and Dan enough to care. And there was a part of her that was relieved to know that part of Dan’s distant behavior was due to him keeping such a beautiful secret and helping Levi. ‘Well, I never could have predicted this four years ago,’ she said with a laugh.

  ‘What’s that?’ Levi asked, as they stood huddled up by the kitchen island.

  ‘Us three standing in my very own café. Dan and I an actual couple and you and Sabrina on the road to marriage,’ Amanda replied, leaning back on the counter, her stomach rumbling. She was ready to tuck into the feast that she had lovingly prepared.

  Levi and Dan both shrugged, matching each other with their handsome smiles. ‘It’s been a pretty rad year so far,’ Levi noted. He wasn’t wrong and Amanda nodded in agreement. Then she threw one arm around Dan’s shoulder and the other around Levi’s. ‘Come on, everyone will wonder where we got to,’ she said, leading the march to the door.

  ‘I can just tell them you were getting busy trying to put a bun in the oven,’ Levi teased. Amanda shoved him with her hip as the door swung open. ‘Behave or I’ll sign you and your fiancée up for dance lessons,’ Amanda said with wink as they stepped into the café. The sight before her took her breath away all over again. Mum was fussing over Nanna. Emma and Joanne were chatting happily to her zias and Louisa. Luca, James and Tyler were talking loudly, god help Luca trying to understand those two boisterous wonders. Dylan was engaged in play with Francesca’s children and the girls’ dad was speaking merrily with Francesca’s husband and her papa, while Francesca herself was laughing heartily with Kate and Liam. It was a beautiful site to be hold.

  ‘Ooh dance lessons. We should take dance lessons for the wedding maybe, that’s a good idea, Amanda. I mean, there’s no rush in having a wedding anytime soon, but we could practice, be prepared, it would be fun,’ Sabrina said bouncing over to Amanda, Dan and Levi, having overheard their conversation.

  Levi glanced at Amanda with a twinkle in his eye, then turned to Sabrina and took her hands in his. ‘Anything you want, baby,’ he said. Amanda relaxed her arm from around Levi’s neck, allowing him to wander off and talk all things wedding related with his new fiancée.

  ‘Hungry?’ She felt Dan’s lips brush her ear as his gravelly voice sent her stomach swirling.

  ‘Aren’t I always?’ she replied, mimicking the line he so often used on her whenever she asked if he wanted food or was subtly hinting at him to be her guinea pig for a new recipe. He winked at her and lead her back to their seats at the table.

  They took their seats at the table and helped themselves to lamb and roast potatoes, breadsticks and mortadella and joined in with the flowing wine and conversations. The café was toasty, warm from the buzzing bodies and high spirits. Amanda chewed thoughtfully on a lemon-stuffed olive. Her family was growing. Friends old and new had become family. Her grandpa had been right; she had never felt richer.

  Chapter 24

  Lemon Cupcakes

  Ingredients:

  For the cupcakes:

  Eggs

  Butter

  Sugar

  Flour

  Pinch of salt

  Lemon rind

  Lemon juice

  For the frosting:

  Limoncello

  Butter

  Icing sugar

  What to do:

  For the cupcakes:

  Cream the butter and sugar together.

  Add eggs one at a time and mix.

  Add in the dry ingredients and combine, before stirring in lemon juice and lemon rind.

  Bake at 180 degrees for 20–25 minutes.

  For the frosting:

  Using a mixer or an electric whisk, beat butter and icing sugar, adding a few drops of limoncello at a time, to taste.

  Once cupcakes have cooled, spread frosting over the top. (Drizzle more limoncello over the top if desired. Almost always desired.)

  It felt like no sooner had Louisa delivered the three time-consuming and extravagant dresses to Giulia, she found herself under a billow of lace once more. It had been a flying visit to the UK over Easter, two months ago, and she still felt as though she was on Aladdin’s magic carpet, whizzing through the clouds. Torta per Tutti had been a fairytale come to life. Amanda had created a piece of Italy in the Northern Quarter and, even though it might appear biased, Louisa thought every corner of it – from the lush, potted herbs and violets, dainty ceramic cups, pops of blues and yellows, to the exquisite pastries themselves – was perfection.

  San Francisco Beat had torn the roof down with their intimate Easter show and Levi’s surprise proposal had been the most grand and romantic gesture Louisa had had the pleasure of witnessing; she could still hear his speech in he
r head and felt thrilled for her sister. She had been able to take Luca on a tour of Manchester’s finest – that being Old Trafford, which had been the top of Luca’s list – and show him a token of what Manchester had to offer. She hoped she could return soon and explore more of the UK with him, though he had been content seeing where she had grown up and she had been grateful to Levi for keeping her in the loop and getting her home for such a momentous occasion in her sister’s life.

  Now, tucked away at the back of Giulia’s boutique on the mountain side of the Amalfi Coast, Louisa was veiled with a super special secret project. Her fingers tingled and her heart beat an overexcited, joyous beat every time she got to work on this. Louisa took every job seriously and respected every design and alteration she had to do, but this one – this one needed triple the care, time and patience. Every detail, every lace thread and pearl bead would be a piece of art. Five months from now it would be revealed, and it had to be exemplary. It wasn’t like the dress’s recipient was some demanding, monstrous client – in fact, she was everything but. She was laidback, sweet and totally giddy about letting Louisa have full creative control over what she was making. The pressure Louisa felt, she had put on herself.

  Louisa looked the fabric up and down. She had the frame and the base material, but it was time to nip, tuck, tweak and sew to bring her idea off the page and on to the mannequin before her. She scanned her desk for her sketchbook to go over the final design specs but couldn’t place it. Where was her book? A lump grew in her throat as she rummaged around her workshop, moving tape measures and pin cushions and lifting boxes of lemon cupcakes to find her prized possession. Where was the darn thing? She had it just yesterday when she was sneaking in minutes away from her work for Milan Fashion Week, coming up in autumn, to add more intricate bits and pieces to her super special secret project whenever she could.