presentable before exiting the restroom.
Puck is standing just outside the door when I step out. Fuck.
“Hey, baby,” he greets me with a huge smile on his face, “you were outstanding tonight. Everyone was raving about the food - about you.”
He begins walking toward me. Before I have a chance to stop him, Puck hugs me, pulling me close into an embrace. My entire body stiffens and I leave my arms hanging at my side. He backs away just enough to see my face.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy? The entire night went off without a hitch and you are now a culinary star,” he says, searching my face for a smile.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, very,” he answers confused, “did I miss something? I thought everything was perfect.”
“I’m sure you did,” I reply, “I have a lot left to do before I leave. I can’t talk about this right now.”
“Dani, please,” Puck begs, but I’m already storming off.
I don’t like being vague, but I’m not ready to confront him at the moment. I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions today - in addition to pulling off this event. Between his note this morning, the overheard phone call, Peter’s story, and Amanda’s warnings, I don’t know what the fuck is going on anymore. I need to finish and put an end to this day, go home, and get a good night’s sleep. When I have a clear head, I’ll decide what to do.
I notice my father and Joanne strolling toward me along the path and put on a cheerful face. They don’t need to know anything about what’s going on, not right now anyway.
“You guys leaving?” I ask pleasantly.
“We are,” Joanne replies, “we were just coming in to say good night. It’s late for us old folks.”
I chuckle politely, “I’m glad you were here. It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to cook for you.”
“And you did a stellar job, sweetie,” my father complements, “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, dad,” I hug him good night, “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Joanne embraces me next, “are you okay?” she whispers, intuitively picking up on my mood.
“Yes, just exhausted.”
“I’m sure you’ll sleep well after all the hard work you’ve done today,” she declares, “let’s plan a day together soon. It’s been too long.”
“Definitely,” I promise.
We kiss good night and I watch them amble off together before making my own way back down to the kitchen. Steven is leaning against one of the tables with a small plate in his hands.
“Hey, I haven’t seen you all night,” I say to Steven, “everything was incredible. You did such a good job putting this all together.”
He looks up from his plate, “I’ve been running all over the place. This is the first chance I’ve had to relax and eat some of the delicious food I’ve been hearing so much about all night,” he smiles at me and takes a forkful into his mouth, “even leftover, it’s fantastic.”
“Thanks,” I reply, “my parents told me the same, but they’re a little biased.”
“They’re right. I really underestimated you. Puck was right, I’m glad he insisted on having you run the show.”
Hearing Puck’s name and being reminded of his confidence in me when everyone else doubted me, tugs on my heartstrings. My next thought is of what a player and straight up asshole he’s been since then. Why does this have to be so difficult? One minute I’m forgiving him and the next, I’m hating him. I need to get myself out of this situation.
“I’m glad you came around. Can I interest you in some dessert?” I offer Steven.
“No, thanks. I need to go tie up some loose ends for the night. I’m so glad this is over. What a headache it’s been putting everything together,” he scrapes the last bite from his plate, “Puck thinks it’s so easy, but he doesn’t understand the half of it. He’s been promoting you just as much as his own cause tonight. He should be careful or one of those rich assholes is going to try and
Puck is standing just outside the door when I step out. Fuck.
“Hey, baby,” he greets me with a huge smile on his face, “you were outstanding tonight. Everyone was raving about the food - about you.”
He begins walking toward me. Before I have a chance to stop him, Puck hugs me, pulling me close into an embrace. My entire body stiffens and I leave my arms hanging at my side. He backs away just enough to see my face.
“What’s wrong? Aren’t you happy? The entire night went off without a hitch and you are now a culinary star,” he says, searching my face for a smile.
“Are you serious?”
“Yes, very,” he answers confused, “did I miss something? I thought everything was perfect.”
“I’m sure you did,” I reply, “I have a lot left to do before I leave. I can’t talk about this right now.”
“Dani, please,” Puck begs, but I’m already storming off.
I don’t like being vague, but I’m not ready to confront him at the moment. I’ve been on a rollercoaster of emotions today - in addition to pulling off this event. Between his note this morning, the overheard phone call, Peter’s story, and Amanda’s warnings, I don’t know what the fuck is going on anymore. I need to finish and put an end to this day, go home, and get a good night’s sleep. When I have a clear head, I’ll decide what to do.
I notice my father and Joanne strolling toward me along the path and put on a cheerful face. They don’t need to know anything about what’s going on, not right now anyway.
“You guys leaving?” I ask pleasantly.
“We are,” Joanne replies, “we were just coming in to say good night. It’s late for us old folks.”
I chuckle politely, “I’m glad you were here. It’s been a while since I’ve had a chance to cook for you.”
“And you did a stellar job, sweetie,” my father complements, “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks, dad,” I hug him good night, “I love you.”
“Love you too.”
Joanne embraces me next, “are you okay?” she whispers, intuitively picking up on my mood.
“Yes, just exhausted.”
“I’m sure you’ll sleep well after all the hard work you’ve done today,” she declares, “let’s plan a day together soon. It’s been too long.”
“Definitely,” I promise.
We kiss good night and I watch them amble off together before making my own way back down to the kitchen. Steven is leaning against one of the tables with a small plate in his hands.
“Hey, I haven’t seen you all night,” I say to Steven, “everything was incredible. You did such a good job putting this all together.”
He looks up from his plate, “I’ve been running all over the place. This is the first chance I’ve had to relax and eat some of the delicious food I’ve been hearing so much about all night,” he smiles at me and takes a forkful into his mouth, “even leftover, it’s fantastic.”
“Thanks,” I reply, “my parents told me the same, but they’re a little biased.”
“They’re right. I really underestimated you. Puck was right, I’m glad he insisted on having you run the show.”
Hearing Puck’s name and being reminded of his confidence in me when everyone else doubted me, tugs on my heartstrings. My next thought is of what a player and straight up asshole he’s been since then. Why does this have to be so difficult? One minute I’m forgiving him and the next, I’m hating him. I need to get myself out of this situation.
“I’m glad you came around. Can I interest you in some dessert?” I offer Steven.
“No, thanks. I need to go tie up some loose ends for the night. I’m so glad this is over. What a headache it’s been putting everything together,” he scrapes the last bite from his plate, “Puck thinks it’s so easy, but he doesn’t understand the half of it. He’s been promoting you just as much as his own cause tonight. He should be careful or one of those rich assholes is going to try and
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