Page 98 of For Butter or Worse
The uncertainty wound him up, so when the valet opened his car door, he didn’t immediately move to get out.
“Are you here for the gala, sir?” the attendant asked.
Leo looked up at him and took a deep breath.Be bold.He was distracted, wondering if she was already inside the event, or if he’d see her on the way in. Which might have been why he went ahead and said, “I’m here to see about a woman.”
Well, he hadn’t meant to saythatout loud.
“Uh, okay...” The attendant looked away, as if embarrassed for Leo.
“Sorry.” Leo handed over his keys, along with a generous tip. “I have anxiety. It’s a thing I’m working on.”
“Oh, hey, that’s cool.” The attendant pocketed the cash. “My vision board this year involves a lot of self-care. You have to be good to yourself, right?”
The valet tipped an imaginary hat his way, then got into Leo’s car and drove off. Which left Leo alone to stare at the entrance to the gala. Was he really ready to face Nina?
40
NINA
Nina had been to many fundraisers—all formal, mostly stuffy. So she’d assumed the gala for the botanical gardens would be much the same. Which is why she was surprised to see all of the waitstaff wearing I Dig Horticulture shirts under their formal blazers. Cheeky plant humor wasn’t something she’d expected.
“Do you want the pomegranate-cranberry sangria or the raspberry-basil gin smash?” Sophie read the cocktails off the small, printed menu at the bar. “Wow, they really left no plant unturned here.”
“You are such a good plus-one. I’ll have the sangria.” Nina wasn’t sure she’d like either option, but sangria felt like a safe choice.
Sophie nodded and ordered for them. As she did, Nina turned just in time to see Cory and Dori approaching. They both opened their arms wide for a hug from Nina, and she ended up in a parent sandwich.
“Nina, isn’t this just fabulous?” Dori asked.
“Have you found your table yet?” Cory added.
“We put you at the You Make My Heart Skip a Beet table. Beet with twoe’s. Can you stand it?” Dori laughed.
“I had no idea that people who gardened were so cutesy,” Sophie said as she came up next to Nina, two drinks in hand. “I’m really into it!”
“Sophie, of course, we are!” Cory said. “Haven’t you ever heard of the genus ranunculus, common name buttercup flowers? I mean, what’s cuter than the wordbuttercup?”
“I honestly can’t think of anything.” Sophie smiled a pure and genuine grin that made Nina even more thankful she had an optimist in her life.
Nina took the sangria and wrapped her arm around Sophie’s waist. “I’m glad you’re here with me.”
“Me, too.” Her sister hip-bumped her.
Nina looked up and around the pristine white tent, where massive chandeliers and dangling lights lit the room in a soft yellow glow. The tent had been erected around large bushes of daffodils, eucalyptus trees and hearty magnolias. So the event felt more like being in a well-lit garden than an actual tent.
And Nina knew the run of show for the night. Dinner would be served. Then, during the dessert course, the auction for donations would begin. She wasn’t the only item up for bid, as it were. But she was the only person. Everything else revolved around tree dedications, private tours of the gardens—things that made sense for horticulturists to bid on. Would anyone here actually spend money on cooking classes with her? Could she still call herself a chef if she didn’t have a restaurant to cook in?
“Nina, I’ve been wanting to introduce you to Joseph, one of the arboretum’s generous benefactors,” Cory said.
She turned to see a very tall and very handsome Black man with tortoiseshell glasses and a smooth bald head. He extended his hand to her.
“Cory has told me so much about you.” His voice was as sweet as the drink in her hand.
“Has he?” Sophie chimed in. She pointedly eyed Nina.
Nina subtly elbowed her, then shook Joseph’s hand. His grip was firm and steady, instantly putting her at ease.
“Nice to meet you, Joseph, and this is my sister.” Nina turned to introduce Sophie, only to see her quickly walking away. Nina licked her lips and turned back to the man. “Well, thatwasmy sister.”
