The Winemaker's Dinner: Dessert (The Winemaker's Feast) by Dr. Ivan Rusilko Read Free Book Online Page B

four-inch black patent heels.
    Tasha smiled and offered her an arm as they entered Jaden’s former workplace through the large, wooden doors. Jaden grinned and closed her eyes for a moment as she soaked in the familiarity. “Ooh, they have new drapes,” she commented. “The classic white is a nice touch.”
    Tasha rolled her eyes, but was prevented from delivering her next snarky comment by Geoff’s voice.
    “Jaden Thorne!” He burst through the kitchen’s double doors with a dramatic flair and darted across the dining room to greet her.
    “Geoff!” she cried, wrapping her arms around him. “I’ve missed you!” And in that moment, she realized she really had.
    “How have you been? What are you in town for—business or pleasure? And where’s—” Geoff caught himself and smiled apologetically.
    “I missed my friends and my favorite kitchen,” Jaden explained. “The show is on hiatus.”
    “Well, I’m glad you’re back. It’s so good to see you! And it’s nice to see you as well, Tasha. She’s one of our regulars, you know,” Geoff added with a wink. “Are you going to be here long?”
    “I’ll be here two whole months,” Jaden announced, looking around. “I’ll be relaxing, but you know a chef can’t stay out of the kitchen for long…”
    “Don’t tease me!” Geoff warned. “We’d love to have you back any time you want!”
    “You just let me know, and I’ll be sure to be available.”
    “You’re the best!” Geoff wrapped Jaden in another hug, then returned to his business self. “Let’s get you ladies some food.”
    He led them to a table and motioned to a waitress standing by the bar.
    “I want you to try everything,” he instructed as he pulled out their chairs. When they were seated, he nodded politely and took his leave.
    “Susan!” Jaden yelled as she looked up at the waitress. In an instant she’d jumped up from the table. “I thought you’d moved! And you changed your hair! I love it.”
    The now-blond server hugged Jaden and blanketed her with a torrent of words. “It’s so good to see you. I was working downtown, but it didn’t work out, and Geoff was nice enough to give me my old job back. Ohmygod, I watched every one of your shows! Is Damian as hot in person as he is on TV?”
    The happy reunion turned cold as Jaden felt a rush of bad vibes sweep through her at the mention of Damian’s name. “Ahh…” she managed as she struggled to recover.
    “I hear he has his own show now,” Susan continued. “God, I can’t wait to see it.” She looked up for Jaden’s response and seemed to misinterpret the look on her face as insult. “But I bet it’s nowhere near as good as your show!”
    “Ha! Well, we’ll find out, won’t we?” Jaden said with a weak smile, turning one of her earrings between her fingers.
    “So what’s good? What do you recommend?” Tasha interjected.
    Jaden took the opportunity to sit.
    “Everything!” Susan blurted as she began to prattle on about the new menu. “Your tuna is the only thing Geoff kept from the old menu…”
    Jaden turned to listen to Susan, but she didn’t hear her. Her mind had wandered back to the day she’d returned home from dotting Damian’s eye with her fist. A plain brown package had nestled amongst her accumulated mail, and its Miami Beach return address had piqued her interest, though she should have known better. Nevertheless, she’d torn open the package and emptied its contents onto her kitchen counter. And at that point her heart sank even lower. She’d found a red box with a red bow and a card addressed to Baby Girl. Unease had bubbled in her stomach, and she’d debated just throwing everything away. Clearly the gift wasn’t meant for her now.
    But she’d known in an instant she couldn’t do it. She could never discard something Ivan had sent her. She’d reached for the box and pried it open. Opal earrings, and around each opal were four flippers and a tiny head. Tears had come to her