Bachelor at Her Bidding (Bachelor Auction Book 2)(20)

He sighed again. “Ah, ignore me. I’m just whining. But I miss you, Grandpa. We all do.”

If things were different…

But they weren’t, and he had to deal with them as best he could. He straightened up. Time to go home.

*

Rachel was sitting at the table in Rocco’s Italian with her sister and her friends, having ordered her favorite lasagna and a side salad.

“You know we’re going to ask, so you might as well spill the beans now,” Lizzy said. “All of them.”

Spill the beans about her evening with Ryan. Rachel spread her hands. “There’s really nothing much to tell.”

“No? What about the food?” Hannah suggested. “What did he cook for you?”

Rachel knew she’d have to tell them all something. But she certainly wasn’t planning to tell them everything about last night – and she really hoped that she wouldn’t betray herself by blushing when she talked about Ryan. They’d all known her long enough to be able to add two and two and come up with exactly the right answer. “He cooked me the best crab cakes I’ve ever had in my life, griddled lamb with rosemary potatoes and buttered spinach, and a trio of desserts to die for.”

“What’s a trio of desserts?” Dayna asked.

“It’s the way they do things in Paris, apparently – three little portions of things that go well together. Chocolate macarons – French ones, of course – home made coffee ice cream, and crème br?lée. And would you believe he blowtorched the top of the crème br?lée at the table to caramelize the sugar? I’ve never seen anything so pretty – or so impressive.”

“It sounds perfect,” said Susie. “Though, having eaten enough of his desserts at Grey’s, I would’ve expected it to be perfect.” She paused. “So how did you get on with him?”

“He’s a nice guy,” Rachel said. But then she caught the knowing glances her sister and her friends exchanged, and sighed. “We’re friends,” she emphasized. “Just friends. Neither of us is looking for a relationship right now. So, now you’ve asked me about the evening and I’ve told you about the food, can we just leave it at that and concentrate on eating the best pasta in Marietta?”

*

After they’d finished their entrees, Ella, the waitress, came over with a smile. “Ready for the next bit?”

“Desserts? Bring it on. We can cope,” Susie said, laughing back.

But, instead of bringing them the dessert menu, Ella came over carrying a tray with something none of them had ever seen before. A pyramid of what looked like dough balls, except they couldn’t be because they were covered in caramel and spun sugar and candied almonds, and there were several wedding sparklers stuck into the pyramid, twinkling away.

“What’s this?” Rachel asked.

“It’s a croquembouche. A French celebration cake made out of vanilla cream puffs and spun sugar,” Ella explained. “I was asked to bring this to you all after your entree. And to tell you happy birthday.” She smiled. “So – happy birthday, Rachel.”

Rachel didn’t need to ask who it was from. Even without the French name, it was perfectly obvious who had made the cake for her. “That looks amazing,” she said softly. “And I can’t get over those sparklers. I haven’t seen them used on birthday cakes before.”

“Apparently, it’s how they do things in Europe,” Ella said, deftly removing the now-spent sparklers. “He did say something about indoor roman candles, but I’m not entirely sure if he was teasing me.”

“So do we cut it with a knife?” Lizzy asked.

“I asked that, too. Apparently, you just take the cream puffs one at a time from the tower. I can bring you some tongs to save your hands getting messy, if you like,” Ella said.

“That would be lovely. Thanks,” Rachel said. She looked at her sister and her friends. “Do you mind if I text him to say thank you?”

“Of course not – but do tell him thank you from all of us, too,” Susie said.

Rachel grabbed her cell phone from her purse. “Sure.” She texted Ryan quickly. Thank you from all of us for the amazing cake and the sparklers! Would you like me to save some for you and Phyllis?

The reply came back quickly. My pleasure. Glad you like it. No need to save any – enjoy.

She couldn’t quite leave it there. Especially once she’d tasted the croquembouche. Surreptitiously, she texted him under the table. I’ve never tasted cake like this. You’re incredibly talented, Mr. Henderson.

Though she’d forgotten to put her phone on silent mode, and the beep signalling a text reply came just when all of them had their mouths full of cake and the table was silent.

Why, thank you, Dr. Cassidy. I enjoyed making it. It’s been a while since I made one.

“Rach, are you texting Ryan under the table?” Dayna asked.

Busted. “Just saying thank you,” Rachel said.

“You already did that,” Lexy pointed out. “So you’re clearly having a conversation with him.”

“Does this mean you’re seeing each other?” Hannah asked.

Rachel shook her head. “We’re just friends. I think the cake was the last bit of last night, if you see what I mean – he wanted you all to share in it because you all put in to win the bid for his meal.”