Gasping for breath, she said, “Regina wants to talk to you.”
“Okay.” Dani stretched out the word, waiting for her heart to return to its normal rhythm. “But I have to warn you both: math wasn’t my best subject.”
Smacking Dani’s shoulder, Ivy said, “Don’t tease.” She glanced at the dirty bowls and pans covering the stainless steel island and added, “She’ll be here any minute.”
Ivy had been peppering Dani with stories about her new BFF, Regina Bourne. According to Ivy, Regina was nothing less than a combination of Gisele Bündchen, Mother Teresa, and Albert Einstein (although admittedly without much of his mathematical talent). However, much to Ivy’s dismay, the supermodel/saint/genius hadn’t seemed interested in a relationship beyond their study group. Maybe now that was about to change.
“I’m in the middle of a complicated dessert that I’m trying out for the garden club event.” Dani added a half cup of sugar to the nut mixture and hit the Pulse button on the food processor. “We’ll have to chat while I work.”
“I don’t know why you try out recipes and waste your time and the ingredients before you make them for your clients,” Ivy said.
“Because recipes and the people on internet dating sites have a lot in common.” Dani grinned. “They never end up looking quite like their posted pictures.”
Ivy made a face, then said, “Maybe you should clean up a little.”
“Princess Regina will have to take it or leave it if she wants to talk to me today.”
“At least put on your chef jacket,” Ivy begged, twisting her hands.
“Absolutely not.” Dani wiped the sweat from her face with a paper towel and threw it into the trash. It might be pleasantly warm outside, but inside the kitchen, with the ovens going, it was hot as Hades. “The laundry charges me three bucks to wash and starch each one of those suckers.”
“How about fixing your hair?” Ivy pleaded. “You look like you’re trying out for the role of Jane Eyre.”
“My hair is fine.” Dani caught a glimpse of herself in the window of the microwave. “Glamour put tight buns on their ‘do’ list this year.”
“They also said that cat-ear headbands were in style.” Ivy blew a raspberry at her. “You going to wear those too?”
As Dani opened her mouth to defend her style choices, there were several sharp raps on the door. A second round of knocking instantly followed the first volley.
Ivy squeaked, then hurried over, flung open the door, and fawned. “Regina, come on in. Did you have any trouble finding the place?”
“Duh, no,” a feminine voice mocked. “My Jag does have a GPS.”
“Right. Sure. Of course.” Ivy’s giggle was forced. “Anyway. Regina, this is my friend Dani Sloan.”
Dani finished adding cream of tartar to the egg whites in the mixing bowl, then turned to greet Ivy’s friend and was struck speechless. The rest of the room faded away as the stunning young woman stood illuminated in the bright sunlight spilling in the window. Even with a sneer on her face, the girl was absolutely gorgeous.
If Dani had seen her image in a photograph, she would have sworn it was airbrushed. Regina’s long hair was so blond it was nearly silver. Her incredible eyes were so blue Dani wondered if they were colored contacts. And her sun-kissed skin was so creamy it appeared to be flawless. Either the girl had the best hair stylist, optometrist, and makeup artist in the world, or she was just that exquisite.
Wiping her hands on her apron, Dani schooled her expression and said, “Hello. I understand you want to speak to me. I’m afraid that I can’t stop what I’m doing, but if you don’t mind talking while I cook, have a seat and go ahead.” Dani gestured to the stools lining the island. “Would you like something to drink?”
“An iced skinny mocha, no whip.” Regina perched her tiny, designer-jean-covered derriere on the stool, opened her bubblegum-pink Hermès Birkin purse, and dug out a tube of Dior lipstick.
Dani opened her mouth to limit her beverage offer to water or soda, but Ivy scurried over to the coffeemaker and said, “It’ll be ready in a sec.”
Did her new Ninja Coffee Bar make those kinds of drinks? The machine had been a housewarming gift from her boarders’ parents, and Dani hadn’t had time to explore all its capabilities yet.
The only sound in the kitchen as Dani added sugar to the eggs and cream of tartar was the hiss of the coffeemaker. Pushing the mixer’s speed control lever to high, she kept an eye on the bowl’s contents as she turned to Regina and waited.
After a few moments of trying to stare down Dani, Regina finished applying her lipstick, inhaled, and said, “Do I smell hazelnut?”
“And almond.” Dani smiled. “I’m making a chocolate-espresso dacquoise.”
“Ah.” Regina adjusted the engagement ring on her left hand, making sure Dani got a good look at the huge diamond, and said, “I had that in Dax, when my parents and I were touring the south of France.” She lifted a perfectly groomed eyebrow. “Of course, an American chef could never hope to meet that type of standard, but I must say yours smells divine.”
“Thank you.” Dani managed to resist the urge to roll her eyes at the girl’s pretentiousness.
“Ivy tells me you’re a caterer.”
“That’s one part of my Chef-to-Go business.” Dani nodded. “Are you planning a party?”
“My annual SummerPalooza bash.” Regina curled her lip. “My regular caterer canceled on me at the last minute and it’s this coming Saturday.” Her voice was heavy with importance. “Otherwise, I wouldn’t dream of using someone without references.”
“I see.” Dani hid her amusement at the young woman’s patronizing attitude. “I’m flattered you’re willing to give me a chance, but four days is too short notice even for a nobody like me.”
“Dani!” Ivy yelped, abandoning her barista duties to dart over and tug on Dani’s hand. “Can I
