Page 43 of Recipe for Romance

Chapter Twenty-Two

~Nicole~

Opening night was going off without a hitch. Well, almost without a hitch. There was the issue of one of the servers losing their tie clip and the silky material dipping into someone’s water glass, but luckily that someone had been Aiden’s dad, and Nolan merely laughed off the encounter, accepting a new water glass with a smile. Then about halfway through dinner service, a cook had dropped a few plates and every head in the dining room had swiveled toward the sound.

The crash of porcelain against tile echoing throughout the large space had Nicole scurrying into the kitchen, expecting to see Aiden red-faced, spitting out a reprimand to whoever made the mistake. Just because he wasn’t quite as cantankerous as he used to be didn’t mean the little hiccups didn’t bother him. Instead of the scene she’d played out in her mind, Nicole found Aiden gently clasping the shoulder of the cook who’d made the mistake, speaking calmly as he instructed him to sweep up the mess.

Watching Aiden deal with the mistake so patiently warmed her heart. It also had other scenes playing out in her mind, ones where he helped their children learn how to pick an apple, bake it in the oven, and serve it up to their family and friends just as he did. Her mind painted a beautiful picture of the future, and as Aiden caught her staring and smiled, Nicole realized that it wasn’t just a possible future, but the one she would get. After mouthing a quickI love you, she backed out into the dining room and went about checking in with servers and diners.

Nicole told herself that she hadn’t purposely been avoiding her father’s table, but as the night came closer to an end, the knowledge that she would have to face her dad had the fluttery feeling that sat in her stomach all evening twisting into a knot of worry. She hadn’t really talked to her dad since Christmas morning when she told him about her plan to stay on with Aiden. He’d hummed and really said nothing more about it, but she could hear his disappointment through the line, probably because in his eyes, she was giving up easily again. Luckily, that one call hadn’t ruined what had been a lovely holiday spent with Aiden and his family, but just barely.

Well, there was no avoiding her dad now. After Aiden had presented all the food, it was up to Nicole to check in to make sure they didn’t need anything else, and he’d finished his part almost twenty minutes ago. A little sad that she couldn’t put it off any longer, Nicole strode over to the table, smiling as best she could while her hands trembled with nerves.

“Hello gentlemen,” she greeted the table. “I trust everything was to your liking this evening.”

Three men she recognized from her dad’s various business dealings over the years smiled politely and nodded their heads. “The service was almost as fantastic as the food,” one mustachioed man told her.

“Yes. Chef has quite outdone himself this evening” The bald man poked at a few pastry crumbs that remained on his plate after dessert with his fork. “When Aiden emailed the menu, I wasn’t sure the simple fare would live up to what he’s done in the past, but I am happy to have been proven wrong.”

The third man nodded, pushing back from the table. “It was a lovely evening and you excelled in your role, my dear.” The rotund man nodded to the two who were not her father, and after they said their goodbyes to her dad, they walked outside.

Nicole glanced around the restaurant. A few tables lingered, mostly Aiden’s family probably hoping to catch a moment to congratulate him, and as much as she might like to, she couldn’t disappear and go sit with them. Summoning all her courage, she sat at one of the abandoned seats and looked at her father. His graying hair was styled neatly and he wore one of his finest suits, looking as intimidating as he always did.

“So, what did you think?” Her voice shook slightly, but she held her head high as she waited for his response.

A wide smile broke out on his face. “You heard the guys. The food was fantastic, not that I expected any less from my star pupil.” Nicole felt a twinge of envy at how readily her dad heaped praise upon Aiden, but it was dwarfed by her own feelings of pride for the man she loved.

“Aiden did very well, but you know that’s not what I was asking you.” Nicole narrowed her gaze, hoping she could convey just how badly his avoidance of the question hurt her. “Are you going to say anything about what I did? I put a lot of work into helping make this place what it is.” She gestured around the restaurant that she helped put together. “I know I’m a constant source of disappointment for you, but can’t you at least acknowledge that I actually did something right for once?”

Nicole ducked her head, blinked away tears and was thankful that she had kept her voice low so no one was privy to the content of their conversation. At the feel of her dad’s rough hand over hers, she felt able to look at him again. Pain and sorrow were painted all over his face, and for a moment she felt almost mortally wounded at having caused those emotions in him. “You’ve always done things right, at least, the right way for you. I know I wasn’t around much when you were younger and I haven’t been much better since then. You’ve always had a tough time of things, and no one likes to see their kids struggle, but it went deeper than that for me.” He cleared his throat and looked around the restaurant. “Maybe we should do this somewhere else.”

Not wanting to squander her dad finally opening up to her, Nicole shook her head vehemently. “Here is fine. No one cares about us anyway.”

Her dad smiled, his expression a little sad, but knowing. “I wouldn’t say that.” He nodded to the kitchen door where Aiden stood, his arms crossed over his chest. The glower on his face could wilt lettuce, but as soon as he saw Nicole looking at him it morphed into a fond smile. “I think there’s a man over there who cares about you very much. And I’m guessing you feel the same.”

Nicole smiled at Aiden before turning back to her father. “I do, but you’re avoiding the subject again, Dad.” She jutted out her chin defiantly, wishing she’d had the courage to have this conversation years ago in the privacy of a home and not in the middle of a restaurant. “I’ve let you skirt around things in the past, but I’m not doing that anymore.”

He sighed. “Busting my balls just like your mom used to,” he said wistfully. “I know I haven’t been the best at supporting you, but it’s just that seeing you was a constant reminder that I failed as a father and I just wasn’t ready to face that.” At Nicole’s shuttered expression, he squeezed her hand and held her gaze. “It wasn’t anything to do with you, honey, and everything to do with me. I was so busy building up my business, trying to secure the future for our family that I wasn’t there as much as I could have been, and after your mom died, I couldn’t bring myself to change.” He swallowed thickly, his eyes shining. “I loved her so damn much. She was everything good and bright and shiny, and losing her broke something in me that I don’t think will ever fully heal. Keeping busy, mentoring other chefs. That stuff helps but it doesn’t make the pain go away.”

Nicole swallowed her grief, but a rogue tear escaped despite her best efforts. “If helping other chefs heals you, why couldn’t you do that with me?” She dashed the wetness from her face, waving off Aiden when it looked like he might storm over there and throttle her dad’s neck.

Looking more pained than she’d ever seen him, her dad sighed, his breathing thready. “She was so good with you, Nicki. She knew exactly what to say and how to say it, how to turn a mistake into something good, something to be celebrated. I can’t imagine a better mother for you.” He swallowed thickly, eyes looking a little glassy as well.

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