As Xavier reclaimed a gentle hold on Kennedy’s hand, he introduced her to Jonathan. “This is Kennedy Bassett, the lady I’ve been raving about. Kennedy, this is my best friend, Jonathan. I’m assuming you two ladies have already introduced yourselves.”
“We have,” Janine said. “We actually got straight into the topic of fashion.”
Happy the two women had already had a pleasant exchange, Xavier laughed. “I guess that means you guys have already found something in common.”
“I’m sure by evening’s end we’ll find we have lots more in common,” Janine said.
“All of us probably have a lot in common,” Xavier stated. “The food is done. If you guys are ready to eat, I can put the meal on the table.” He was proud of the amazing job he’d done with the gold and white place settings. A professional couldn’t have done any better.
After everyone voiced their desires to eat right away, each guest offered to help Xavier bring the dishes out to the deck. Glad for the extra help, he had everyone follow him into the kitchen to grab hold of something.
Inside the kitchen, Xavier guided Kennedy over to the stove, where he pulled down the upper oven to expose his masterpiece. “Beef Wellington,” he sang out, “prepared especially for my new friend. Think I can get a proper thank-you?”
Kennedy was stunned by the beautifully browned roast. It looked cooked to perfection. “Depends on what you consider proper.” Kennedy eyed him curiously.
He stuck his cheek near her lips. “Do you need more of a hint?”
She kissed his cheek, allowing her lips to linger there for a short spell. “Thank you. I can’t wait to taste the fruits of your labor. But can I let you in on something?”
He raised an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
She threw her head back and let her laughter trill. “Never in my wildest dreams did I expect you to follow through on my request. Now that you have, I’m going to do my best to do the meal justice. Maybe I can even take home some leftovers.”
He winked at her. “Anything your little heart desires.”
“Anything, X?”
“Anything! You heard me. Just let me know what it is you want. I’ll deliver.”
For starters, you. She hoped taking him home with her was on a future menu.
Now that all the food Xavier had prepared earlier was laid out, he ushered Kennedy over to the oval-shaped glass table and pulled out one of the six wrought-iron chairs. Before taking his own seat, he waited for Janine and Jonathan to claim theirs. Xavier then asked Jonathan to pass the blessing. His friend seemed proud to do the honors. Kennedy liked that everyone was familiar with prayer, loved the fact that no one seemed to have a problem giving God His props.
Around the table near complete silence lasted a few minutes, as everyone enjoyed the fabulous meal. Kennedy was so pleased by what he’d done for her. No one had ever cooked her beef Wellington, nor had she ever asked it of anyone.
Kennedy was just being facetious when she’d told Xavier what she’d wanted him to prepare for her. He’d said his father had taught him how to cook this particular entrée—plus many others. He had surely taught his son well. The delicious cut of beef was tender and moist and the pastry puff it had been baked in was flaky and buttery. Kennedy had never eaten food this delectable—and she’d graced a lot of first-class eateries, dining at some of the finest catered events all over the world.
Along with the beef and mushrooms, Xavier had sautéed asparagus and brown rice. The initial sight of the food had caused Kennedy’s mouth to water.
The crisp salad greens lying beneath the cherry tomatoes and thin slices of cucumbers, sprayed with an Italian-blend dressing, was a perfect complement to the wonderful meal. Xavier’s plate held double portions of everything, except the rice, which he had a bowlful of. He had told Kennedy he was a rice lover, loving it any way it was cooked. Xavier had never had a problem with his weight despite his voracious appetite.
The host reared his chair back slightly. “How is everything, Kennedy?”
“It is the best meal I’ve eaten. Don’t you see this huge smile on my face?”
“I get the point. Thanks.” Xavier grinned, grateful for the compliment. He looked to Jonathan and Janine for their opinions. Their thoughts were similar to Kennedy’s.
Conversation flowed smoothly as the two couples savored a fine French wine. Kennedy learned that Janine was a fashion writer who wrote for a host of fashion magazines and Web sites. She also had a Web site and blog where her readers could write in and give their opinions on her stories. Janine spent a good bit of her work schedule making rounds at popular fashion venues.
As the wife of an interior designer, Janine was there for him, always willing to help out in his business ventures. Many of his wealthier clients were referrals from his bride of four years. He was a fabulous-looking guy who doted on his wife. Kennedy thought they made a lovely couple. Happiness was written all over their glowing faces.
Everyone had finished with their meals, but Xavier noticed that Kennedy was still working on hers. She was a very slow eater. She had informed him of that at Café Blue. She believed eating slow was necessary for proper digestion. Very much into a healthy diet, she also drank plenty of water and got lots of exercise. It wasn’t unusual for her to linger over her meal thirty minutes or more. She wasn’t a fanatic about controlling her weight, but she did take seriously everything to do with her health and diet.
“Besides your exciting career, what do you do for fun?” Janine asked Kennedy.
“Dancing is my favorite. I include it in my daily exercise routine. I also try to go out dancing at least once or twice a week for fun. Besides, I love to play tennis, the piano and read.”
She went out dancing with her girlfriends, Martina Sellers and Bianca Wise, when they were available to hang out. The three women frequented some of the most popular dance clubs around the Los Angeles and Hollywood areas.
To once again make sure Xavier had no doubts about how great the food was, Kennedy rolled her eyes up to the ceiling. “This food is soooo good. If you’ll agree, I’d love for you to help me prepare the meal for my upcoming dinner party next week. That is, if you’re free to join my guests and me. What do you say?”
Certain that he’d heard her correctly, yet baffled by her request, Xavier widened his eyes. “You’re putting me on, right?”
“Of course not! I’m serious. There’ll only be six or so of us, total,” Kennedy said.
Xavier hunched his broad shoulders. “What’d you have in mind to serve?”
“I’ll leave that up to you. After this meal, I definitely trust your judgment.”
“Oh, no, I’m not going out like that. If I agree to help cook, you plan the meal.”
“We have a few days to decide the menu.” Kennedy turned to look at Janine and Jonathan. “I’d feel honored if you’d both come. The group I hang out with is a lot of fun. But I have to warn you, they’re lively and very much into playing practical jokes.”
“We’d love to come,” Janine said, readily accepting the invite for her and Jonathan. Sighing hard, she stretched her arms high above her head. “Can’t believe how tired I am. This has been an extremely busy week for me.”
Kennedy understood. She was fatigued. Her feet ached, and she planned to soak them once she got back home. But being with Xavier was exhilarating.
Suddenly, Kennedy realized she didn’t want to