Page 73 of Caper Crush
I nod. “I did, didn’t I? I had you two next to me, and I thought I should handle him like my mom does.”
“He looked pretty shocked that you didn’t get upset,” Tessa says.
“I guess I should go,” William says. “You’ll call me if she finds out anything?”
“I will,” I say. “But it will probably take her a few days.”
“We’ll find the paintings.” William squeezes my hand and tucks some stray hair behind my ear. “I don’t like that it’s getting so personal.”
I don’t either. And if Fedora is Edmund’s countermove, I doubt he’s done yet.
Chapter sixteen
It’sfinallytimetointerview (subtly) the catering staff, Lena and Miju, while we waitress for William’s party. I introduce myself to them, and we set up in William’s kitchen, unpacking the coolers. William’s kitchen is stylish, with gray cabinets and open shelving made of glass and cherry wood. The color combination is pleasing, and he has everything we need, which makes me think that he must actually cook in here.
I discussed hiswe make a good teamremark with Tessa, and she said that didn’t sound particularly romantic. I thought it did. But she definitely noticed the chemistry between us and thought he seemed very protective last night. Zelda said I should just ask him out. Penelope offered to ask Rory for the guy opinion.
Lena is pretty, with sleek, black hair, brown eyes, and a curvy figure. She has just been cast as Danielle in an off-Broadway production ofTo Catch a Thief. She ricochets around, talking a mile a minute. But she’s still working efficiently.
“It’s one of my favorite movies, and Danielle’s such a complex character because she has this unrequited crush on Robie.” Lena plates various appetizers. “But it’s complicated—she also thinks he betrayed them. Ultimately, she betrays him by pretending to be the cat burglar.” She stares straight at me, unsmiling, and I get a chill.
“I hope I can do her justice.” Lena unwraps the crab cakes. “The role has such a range. I get to flirt, to be catty to Frances, to steal the jewelry, and to grieve when my father dies.”
“You played that devious woman really well in your last show,” Miju says. “Should I heat up those quiches?”
“I think so. How was your date?” Lena asks Miju. “Miju had a blind date last night.”
“Remind me not to agree to any more blind dates.” Miju moans. “I’m sticking to online dating. At least then I can do some vetting.”
The microwave beeps. I pull out the dumplings and plate them.
“You’re too picky,” Lena says as she places a tray of mini quiches in the oven.
“I’m not. I would just appreciate not spending the rest of my life with someone who burps. I don’t think that’s too much to ask. And you can’t really talk. You’re like dating someone with the looks of Timothée Chalamet.”
“I am.” Lena sighs in contentment. “The host here, William, is cute. You can follow my playbook and pick him up.”
“I think he’s taken,” I say, even though he isn’t. “Maybe your date was nervous about meeting you.” I wash some containers and stack them back in the Star Catering cart.
“Maybe.” Miju sounds unconvinced. “But I found it depressing. I hate dating.”
“Me too,” I say. “I once was set up on a date and the guy had to leave after the first drink. I still have no idea what I said that made him decide so quickly that he wasn’t interested.”
“Then it’s looks, but you’re attractive, so that’s weird,” Lena says.
“He’d seen my photo online. And it was recent,” I say. “How’d you meet your boyfriend, Lena?”
Lena pulls on plastic gloves and carefully arranges the California rolls on a platter. “We were catering staff for one of his parties, and we had some flirtatious banter before the party. And then I stayed to help clean up—”
“And told me to go home,” Miju says.
Lena laughs. “And one thing led to another, and now we’ve been dating for about three months,” she says. “He is gorgeous. And independently wealthy. And he’s so supportive of my career.”
“Have you asked him again if he has any friends?” Miju asks.
“That’s his one flaw. He only seems to have female friends,” Lena says. “What about you? Are you dating anyone?”
“No, I’m off men for the moment,” I say as William enters the kitchen.
