Christmas at the Restaurant (The Nantucket Restaurant #2)(22)
The conversation was…interesting. Kevin was mostly silent and Amy talked non-stop. By the time they finished eating Mandy had learned more than she ever wanted to know about Kevin’s new girlfriend. She was surprised to learn that Amy was older than she’d thought. She’d recently turned forty, though you’d never know it by the way she dressed.
Tonight, she was wearing high heels, skinny jeans and a short fuzzy sweater. Up close though Mandy could see that Amy wore more makeup than she realized when she’d first met her. She was also pretty sure that she was wearing false eyelashes which seemed to be all the rage with some women. Mandy couldn’t imagine bothering with that. She was fine with the same mascara she’d been using since she was in high school. It was Maybelline, very black and in a pink and green tube. It did the job just fine.
She realized, too, that when Amy shook her head, her blonde hair didn’t move. It was permanently fluffed and sprayed to death. It was a cute cut though, and it made her blue eyes look bigger.
“How did you two meet?” Amy asked Mandy at one point.
“At the restaurant where I work. Matt came in often and we got to chatting.”
Matt grinned. “I wanted to ask her out for months, but she wasn’t interested in dating for a while.”
“Oh, right. You were married to Cory Lawson. I used to see him out at the Club Car all the time. That’s where I met Kevin, too.”
Mandy just nodded. She hadn’t realized it at the time, but many of the nights when Cory said he was working late, he was actually playing late, out with the young guys in his office or with one of his many women ‘friends’.
“He’s a good-looking guy and they say he’s one of the wealthiest men on Nantucket. I’m not sure I would have let him go—though, I imagine you did okay in the divorce?”
Mandy was speechless. She wasn’t sure how to respond to that. It was none of Amy’s business.
Matt spoke up and changed the subject. “Here comes our waitress. Does anyone want another drink? I think the music is about to start.”
“I’d love another wine.” Mandy was eager for the music to start so that she wouldn’t have to talk to Amy.
“I’ll have another, too. Thanks, Matt.” Amy turned her megawatt smile on him, but Matt missed it because he was leaning over to give Mandy a quick kiss. He whispered softly. “I am so sorry about this. We don’t have to stay long. Want to leave after the first set?”
She nodded. “It’s not your fault. And that sounds perfect.”
The band was good and they all enjoyed the music. It was loud enough that conversation was difficult, so they just relaxed and listened to the band. At the end of the first set, Matt pulled out his wallet and set some cash down on the table.
“This was fun, but I think we’re going to get going. Mandy and I both have to be up early tomorrow.”
“So soon?” Amy protested.
Kevin smiled at her. “It’s okay, we can stay for the next set.” He turned back to Matt and Mandy. “This was fun. We’ll have to do it again sometime.”
Matt just nodded and Mandy stood and pulled on her coat. “Enjoy the next set,” she said.
Once she and Matt were outside, Mandy laughed. “Well, that was quite the evening. Your friend Kevin really seems to like her though.”
“He does. I wish them both well, but I’m in no hurry to do this again.”
Chapter 10
Gina was wiping down the kitchen counter when she heard footsteps outside the door, followed by a knock. She opened the door to let Jared in. They were heading over to the Festival of Trees.
He stepped in, stopped and sniffed the air. “Smells like cookies. Were you baking?”
She smiled. “Yes, I just made my Christmas pizzelles. I make a big batch every year. It’s a family tradition.”
“I’m not familiar with those. What are they like?”
“Try one.” Gina walked over to one of the stacks of cookies. They were wafer-thin, dusted with powdered sugar and looked like delicate snowflakes. She lifted one and placed it on a paper towel so it wouldn’t shake sugar on him. “If you like it, I’ll give you some to take with you. As you can see, the recipe makes a lot.”
Jared took a bite as he looked around the kitchen at the piles of the cookies on paper towels all across the counter.
“Oh, this is good. Is that anise?”
“Yes. It’s the traditional Italian flavor. But some use lemon or vanilla instead. I like the anise. I’ll wrap up a stack for you. They’re great in the morning with coffee.”
“What do you use to make them? Some kind of waffle press?”
“A pizzelle press. It’s similar to a waffle machine and has the snowflake design etched in. They only take about a minute each to cook.” She grabbed a handful of the cookies and wrapped them in a sheet of aluminum foil and handled it to him. “Here you go. I’ll probably bring some into the restaurant, too, so if you run out, there will be more there. I’m going to run and change this sweater to one without sugar. I’ll be right back. Help yourself to another cookie.”
“Thanks, I think I will.”
Gina went off to put on a clean sweater and when she returned, Jared was standing in her living room looking at her easel with the half-finished painting. She had it set up by the big window that let in the best light.