“Flavored with Grand Marnier, drizzled with chocolate, topped with whipped cream and berries. Easy, but a beautiful presentation.”
“Easy for you,” Kai said.
Marina laughed. “You can still make a chocolate sauce, right? Like we used to put on our ice cream.”
“Ginger taught us that,” Kai said, checking out the last grouping that Marina had organized. “Is that what all this is for?”
Marina nodded. “Start melting the chocolate. While that is going, you’ll find raspberries in cold storage. Oh, and some ricotta and honey. I’ll show you what to do with it.”
As Marina turned her attention to mixing a thin batter with a splash of orange liqueur for crepes, Len cycled in and out of the galley fetching special requests and carrying dishes. They’d also made a few alternative versions—kebobs without mozzarella, pizza with vegan cheese, mushrooms, and caramelized onions. So far, everyone seemed pleased, and Marina could hear peals of laughter from the deck.
She caught herself thinking about how she might have been a guest this evening with Jack instead. But that wasn’t meant to be. She’d already committed to Anne and Charles, and she wouldn’t have gone out with Jack as a last-minute date. She’d done that with Grady, and look where that had landed her. As for her husband Stan, his manners were impeccable, and he conducted himself with the honor of his position in the military.
While Marina poured thin layers of batter into a pair of skillets, she wondered if early stumbles in potential relationships might be a signal or message not to pursue.
She recalled the laughs that she and Jack had shared. He had seemed so genuine. Would they have had a long-term chance? Probably not. At least she was in agreement now with the universe, or whatever powers there were in the world.
And that’s all there is to it, she decided, watching the crepes form tiny bubbles and enjoying the sweet aroma they released.
Marina worked quickly, flipping the crepes with practiced ease as she instructed Kai on making the crepe filling. Once Marina had a plate of crepes, she joined Kai and showed her how to assemble the desserts.
“You make that look easy,” Kai said.
Len leaned on the counter, watching. “What is that dessert called?”
“Our grandmother taught me how to make this. Sweet crepes with ricotta cheese and honey. When you serve, call them Princess Anne crespelle.”
While Len and Kai hurried out with dessert, Marina sank onto a chair, her energy spent. A smile spread across her face, and a feeling of accomplishment suffused her chest with warmth.
Despite not realizing what she was getting into, having no menu or recipes, Marina had risen to the occasion and cooked for the largest party she’d ever had. But then, cooking was about knowing your ingredients, not always following a recipe as she would do in baking.
Marina stretched her arms overhead. She couldn’t have done this without Kai and Len. A celebration was definitely in order.
After turning on some music on her phone, she brought out the kebobs that she’d put aside, along with an extra lobster pizza they could share. Kai and Len had worked hard, and they would have a few minutes before they had to clear the plates from the table.
Marina was pouring a small split of champagne she’d brought when she heard footsteps behind her. With a glass in her hand and a smile on her face, she turned around.
Marina’s smile dimmed at the sight of Jack. “What are you doing in here?”
5
“Hi there.” Jack grinned and shifted from one foot to another as if he’d suddenly found himself in the galley.
Marina glared at him. “Did you take a wrong turn? The head is to your left.”
“I’d like for us to talk, Marina.”
“As you can see, I’m pretty busy,” she said, lifting the glass of champagne she had just poured to celebrate the dinner with Kai and Len. And she was hot, tired, and in no mood to talk to Jack. Plus, damp tendrils of hair hung around her face, which was probably bright red from cooking crepes over the stove.
Running a hand through thick brown hair that had grown longer since he’d been in Summer Beach, Jack took a step toward her. “Look, I had no idea you were working as a chef for Charles and Anne. When I found out you had made this meal, I felt like a double idiot—first, for asking you out tonight.”
He held up a hand before she could say anything. “Too short notice, I realize that. I’m not completely without manners, even though it might seem like that. And second, for enjoying such a delicious dinner—and then learning you’d made it.”
“Would have been kind of hard to attend and cook at the same time.” Marina pressed the cool champagne flute against her warm cheek. She sipped the bubbly, trying to ease the heat that flared in her chest. That Jack could have that effect on her was disturbing.
“I meant no disrespect to you. And I’d like to explain what was going on in my mind. Maybe we could get a cup of coffee next week.”
Marina ticked off her fingers. “Between building my clientele at the farmers market, working pop-up dinners, starting a cafe, and organizing Taste of Summer Beach, I don’t see how I can fit you in.”
“I’m a jerk. I get it.”
“I don’t think you do. I’m a working mother and a businesswoman. I’m not waiting for a man to whisk me off my feet.” As soon as the words were out of her mouth, Marina winced. She didn’t mean to imply that. Far from it, in fact.
Jack drew a hand over his face. “Not what I was trying to do, but that’s good to know. In case any guy asks me.”
“That’s it. You need to leave.”
“Hey, I’m sorry. That slipped out.” Jack spread his hands in an appeal. “I wanted to talk to you because I can’t continue working with your grandmother knowing that there is animosity between us. I never intended to slight you, and I didn’t want to ignore you.”
Marina blinked back angry tears that inexplicably sprang to her eyes. She hated when that happened. “Then why did you?”
“My situation is complicated. I have to think of Leo.”
“As you should. You’re his father. Welcome to parenthood.”
“Why is this so difficult?” Jack smacked his forehead. “We’re both trying to look out for our children, and some of our decisions are based on that. Let’s start with that common ground, okay?”
Marina shrugged. Beyond Jack, she could see Kai, who had stopped Len from charging into the galley. “Granted.”
Jack blew out a breath. “I really want to clear the air between us. I know you don’t have time for coffee, but—”
“I’ll make time. For Ginger.” She didn’t want to cause angst for her grandmother.
“Okay. Your choice. Java Beach, the Seabreeze Inn. Or a new place, the Coral Cafe. The new deck is pretty nice.”
Marina couldn’t help but smile at that. “Okay, you got me. But not Java Beach. Too many eyes and ears there.”
Jack’s startling blue eyes sparkled. “We’re not hiding anything.”
“Thirty minutes. That’s all I can spare.” Marina nodded toward Kai, who led Len into the galley, their arms full of dishes. She turned to Kai. “You shouldn’t have to clear tables, too.”