Page 4 of His Christmas Gift

“I may know someone who’s available to cater for tomorrow night,” she said watching Jasper to see how he would react to it. “They’re newer but the food definitely rivals the established five-star level caterers in business.”

“It’s not just the food that will need handling, Melissa,” he stated, and she smiled lightly in return.

“I may not be as competent with spreadsheets or even a copier, but I can handle a dinner party,” she said calmly not about to admit how many she’d put together in her young life. “You’re both incredibly busy and I’m sure the filing can wait, if I run now, I can make sure the caterer is available and deal with the rest.”

“There’s no one to handle the phones with Cassidy on maternity leave,” Elaine said, and Jasper nodded.

“You’re sure you want to do this?” Jasper asked knowing any help was better than leaving it up to him to arrange.

“I can handle this, I promise,” she agreed before taking her bag from her desk.

“Right now, I don’t even care about the cost, as long as we have enough food to cover everyone.” He moved to her side, writing down his number on a piece of paper, and handed it over with a smile. “If you need anything, call, text, and I will get back to you instantly.”

“In that case, you might need to know who you’re answering,” she said writing hers out for him. She held it out and he knew he was going to keep it forever, even if he intended to instantly program it into his phone. “If my father would happen to call…”

“Elaine will make sure to tell him you are out running an errand for me,” he stated making her grin widen. “Thank you, Melissa, if you run into any issues, please let me know.”

“I will,” Melissa assured him before slipping down the blocks to the café where Jenny worked as a barista during the mornings and usually late afternoons. She saw her behind the counter and smiled, moving over to talk to her. “Please tell me you’re not working tomorrow night.”

“Tomorrow night…I wish, I got shafted and didn’t even get a single hour for the morning shift,” Jenny said shaking her head with a dark look towards her boss who was making out the new schedules. “Why? Want to bitch about that jerk at work over gourmet food and mimosas?”

“Not exactly, the big man himself Jasper Thomas is back in town, throwing a dinner party tomorrow night and doesn’t have a caterer, so…” She trailed off making Jenny’s eyes widen and brighten. “I suggested I might know a caterer that could do the job even at such short notice and he agreed to let me handle the arrangements.”

“Jasper Thomas? Do you haveanyidea the kind of people who will likely be at that dinner tomorrow? Are you freaking kidding me? Of course, I’m in,” Jenny said excitedly. “This isjustwhat I needed Missy. If even one of them likes my food…”

“I know and believe me, I know food,” she said laughing lightly.

Jenny moved to hang up her apron to leave with her. “So, what sort of menu are we looking at, three, four, five course meal, what?”

“Honestly, I don’t know, it’s for twenty-four guests, so I’d say twenty-five with him, I figured we could work all of that out once I knew you were available.”

Jenny nodded giving her time to call Jasper while Jenny finished clocking out and getting her things.

“Melissa, is everything okay?” Jasper asked after two rings.

“Fine so far, the caterer is available, so now is the harder part, menu,” she stated making him laugh softly. “All I know is twenty-four guests for dinner. What times are we looking at? Do you want appetizers before dinner? For dinner, three or four courses? Dessert at the table, served elsewhere, or just bites afterwards?”

“With this guest list, people will likely start showing at six, but some won’t until just before the seven-thirty dinner time on the invitations, so appetizers beforehand would be great,” Jasper stated, looking over documents as he listened to her voice. “Let’s not go overboard, three courses will be plenty, I’m sure. I like the idea of dessert away from the table as well, after that much food it will be nice to stand and move before getting to it. My guests tomorrow will eat anything so whatever sounds best is fine.”

“Really, so if I said the main course would be octopus that would be entirely acceptable?” she mused pulling a deep laugh from him.

“Alright, perhaps notanything, but I trust your choices.” He wanted to see what she could create when given the chance. It would certainly help if he could convince her to take a chance on him.

“Is there any way to see the area for the dinner party so we know how set up would be best?” Melissa asked seeing Jenny headed her way.

“Of course, I’ll send Keith straight over, he’ll take you anywhere you need to go, and he’ll bring my company card for anything you need to purchase. I should have sent you with him to start Melissa, please forgive me for not thinking ahead on it.”

“No apology needed. We’re at Café Monarch,” she added when he asked then let Jenny know they could head over to see Jasper’s place to decide on arrangements.

“Oh my god…” Jenny breathed out in shock as they pulled up in front of Jasper’s home and despite where she’d grown up, Melissa could understand her awe of the massive building. He’d purchased an entire six story building and turned it into the most incredible single-family home she’d ever seen in New York. She’d seen several penthouses that weren’t even close to this and in this neighborhood, the price for purchasing the building had to have been ridiculous.

Keith showed them inside, handing them over to Jasper’s housekeeper, Mrs. Nelson. She showed them the huge sitting room Jasper used for entertainment first, letting her and Jenny come up with a plan before moving them to the dining room. The massive thirty-seat table was breathtaking in dark mahogany and her mind started coming up with dozens of ideas seeing the trees through the windows.

They slipped into the kitchen, Jenny falling completely in love with it, and Melissa knew together they could create a menu to die for; Jasper’s guests would beg to know who’d cooked it.

They sat down at the table, going over the possible combination of soups, salads, and entrees to make it a quick meal. She smiled to Jenny before changing their soup to a caramelized butternut squash, followed by a persimmon, pomegranate, and ricotta salad, and then roasted duck with vegetables and balsamic syrup.

The differing flavors would entice anyone into wanting more of the next and Jenny nodded in full agreement with her suggestions. She knew Jenny could do each of them better than some other ideas they’d discussed.

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