Exquisite

Chapter Thirteen

Monday morning rolled around and Lena found that she was in an exceptionally good mood knowing it had nothing to do with work, and for the first time she could recall, everything to do with her personal life. She was finally seeing someone. It was hard to believe that it was one of Chicago’s most eligible bachelors and honestly she still was waiting for him to call her and say, oh hey sorry but one of the models I dated last month is in town and I wont be able to see you tonight. However, so far he’d not done that and he continued surprising her. After their meal on Saturday they’d sat down and watched an old black and white movie then he’d told her needed to go into work for a few hours. He’d dropped her home, still dressed in his bathrobe and had given her the sweetest kiss she could imagine then left. She figured she wouldn’t hear from him, until she was forced to call to give him back his robe, but he’d surprised her by calling Sunday morning to see how she was and what she was doing.

Lena just couldn’t get over the fact that she was she supposed, dating Mason Langley. She was number thirty four. Smiling a little to herself over that she sat down at her desk and turned her computer on. She was just about to reach over and call Shelly when she walked through the door.

“You look happy.” she accused then looked around and then behind her. When she was satisfied they were alone she demanded, “Alright what happened and you need to tell me everything from the moment he dragged your drunk ass up those stairs.”

Lena grinned sat back in her chair and proceeded to tell Shelly every last scintillating detail and thought that for the first time in her life she was going to try and allow herself to enjoy the moment. She would deal with the guilt later tonight when she stopped by the flower shop.

On the other side of town Mason was not enjoying anything. Wendy had stormed into the staff meeting and sat down at one of the back tables. As Mason went through the slight staffing changes and menu additions he noticed she was glaring at him in a way that reminded him of Lena. She looked as though she wanted to strangle him. Rachel was sitting at one of the front tables filing her nails and once he was done everyone got up took the new menu and made their way to the kitchen. They would stay for another hour making sure everything was ready for tomorrow when they opened and then they’d head home. As the last of the staff trickled out to the kitchen Mason lifted a hand and motioned for Wendy to come forward.

“What’s wrong with you this morning?”

“What’s wrong with me?” she asked incredulously as she dug into her bag and pulled out a magazine. He recognized it as Delicious and winced wondering what’d been written for Wendy to be so pissed off.

“Have we or have we not been working our collective asses off for three years trying to establish this restaurant as number one in Chicago?”

Rachel was looking from Wendy to Mason then back to Wendy with a confused expression on her face then she nodded.

Mason nodded slowly as well. “Yes that has been our number one goal for the restaurant.”

Wendy let out a deep breath then tossed the magazine on the table in front of him. “Then perhaps you can explain to me what on earth happen on Friday night?” she paused as he reached out to pick the magazine up slowly. “Because as far as I understood it, our boss, the owner of this restaurant had told everybody not to screw up. It was vital to stay sharp and be professional!” she ended loudly.

As Mason flipped through the pages Rachel spoke up. “Did I miss something? Because I feel like I certainly missed something vital here.”

Wendy snapped her head around to face her. “What you missed was Mason’s new, whatever he calls her, go apeshit when an old girlfriend turned up and then lover boy over here ditched the most important interview of his life to chase some tail.”

Spinning back to Mason who was now staring at Wendy with a pissed off expression of his own she asked, “Isn’t that right? And you’re looking for page 23.”

Gritting his teeth Mason found the page and in large bold letters he read;

EXQUISITE. A TALENTED CHEF’S DREAM OR A PLAYBOY’S PLAYGROUND? By Peter Ryder

Oh shit. Wendy was right, what had he been thinking? This was not what he’d wanted his restaurant to be known for. He lifted a hand and rubbed his eyes. Then tried to swallow around the lump in his throat as he looked up at Rachel’s enquiring gaze and Wendy’s accusatory one.

Wendy shook her head then said in a tone that could only be called icy. “Well go ahead read it out loud for us all to hear.”

“Come on Wendy that’s enough.” Rachel muttered.

“No, he needs to know he just screwed us all.”

“I’m aware of that Wendy. Shit, do you really think I wanted that to happen the way it did? Were you not right there watching the whole thing turn to shit?” he asked through a clenched jaw. “I’ll read this, and I’ll admit to my mistakes but let me say this once and make it very clear. Do not refer to Lena as a piece of tail ever again.”

That seemed to register through Wendy’s anger and he saw Rachel bite her lip like she was a nervous child watching her parents fight.

“Go ahead Mase. Read it and get the damage over with.” Rachel spoke softly.

Taking a deep breath he cleared his throat and read;

Friday night and a crowd of people are lined up around the east side of an old warehouse building that houses the latest addition to Chicago’s restaurant district. People don’t seem to mind standing out in the cool air if it means getting the opportunity to come inside and dine on what has been named some of the finest cuisine to come out of chilly Chicago. Upon stepping inside this hidden gem you get the immediate feeling of old school jazz and a warmth that settles all the way down to the pit of your stomach. The atmosphere is electric and the music is soothing as the wait staff bustle from table to table.

“Well that doesn’t seem bad at all.” Rachel chimed in.

“Keep reading.” Wendy stated bluntly.

The decision to choose the lobster tail with the creamy butter sauce wasn’t a difficult one. Once I was seated waiting on my meal I got to enjoy the sounds of the greats, like Sinatra & Dean, while I sipped a fantastic cocktail from the bar. I’m delighted to tell you that when the lobster arrived it practically melted in my mouth. I chose a side of home style mashed potatoes that I’d been told were beyond compare and I’m thrilled to report that deduction was correct. Mixed through the fluffy white spuds were chives, garlic and a dash of paprika, this complimented the lobster and truly made for a mouthwatering experience.

“See they said your food was amazing Mase, that’s great.” Rachel tried again with a hint of desperation.

“Keep reading.”

It wasn’t until after my main course when things began to get extra delicious. We’ve all heard the whispers of the home town golden boy who worked his way through college and went on to study fine culinary cuisine abroad. However, it seems like the young Mason Langley may have picked up a thing or two in the ‘love them and leave them’ department from the French and the Italian’s. It seems that our highly respected entrepreneur is somewhat of a Casanova. It makes one start to wonder if his restaurant is a success due to fine cuisine or a pretty face with a playboy image. After all when a ravishing redhead and a buxom brunette are fighting over being #34 there must be more to this Head Chef than meets the eye. So in the end I give the dining experience 4 stars out of 5 but ladies I have a feeling you’ll be giving it a 5 for the ‘Exquisite’ experience, pardon the pun, and personal attention you’ll receive in Mason Langley’s high class restaurant.

Mason stopped reading and continued to stare at the article in front of him. He couldn’t even bring himself to look at the disappointment on the faces of the two women in front of him. Hell, he couldn’t even stand himself right this minute. How could he have been so utterly stupid? How could he have let himself get so caught up in the moment that he’d let all of their hard work go straight down the toilet because Lena O’Donnell had thrown one of her many temper tantrums? Closing his eyes he squeezed them tight thinking back to that night and how she’d cut him off at the knees in front of everyone, with little thought to what damage she may have or may not have been causing him and his own.

Sure, since then he’d hung out with her, laughed with her, come with her but right now he couldn’t even stand the thought of her. This was a huge mess and he’d really thought Peter fucking Ryder had overlooked the whole incident when he’d called him and asked him all about the menu. Stupid, he thought shaking his head then looking up at his girls. Yeah they were his girls. They’d been with him from the beginning of this whole endeavor and right now they were both looking at him like they wanted to punch him.

“I don’t know what to say.” he paused and put the magazine down rubbing a palm over his face. “I’m so incredibly sorry. What I did was inexcusable. I can see the ramifications of my actions and I’m horrified with myself. He called into question all the positive points of the article by wrapping it up with a negative.”

Rachel stood and walked around the table to stop beside him. He hung his head down and thought she might smack him one right in the back of it.

“Mason?” she questioned softly. He raised his head to meet her eyes. “You better be crazy about this doctor, or I’ll kill you for this.”

He winced. “I’m so angry at her and myself right now I don’t even want to think about her. I don’t know Rach, she brings out this side to me that makes me go all crazy.”

Quietly he heard Wendy say, “What did your dad use to say when he’d come in here?”

Mason looked up as she walked around and reached out putting a hand on his shoulder. She squeezed it gently seemingly back to not wanting him dead.

Mason chuckled softly. “I don’t know. He said a lot of things to me, some nice and wise and some not so nice but still wise.”

Wendy nodded, “I’m referring to when he’d see you with the latest girl. He’d always shake his head and say to us; That boy is to careless, goes from one to the next like they’re disposable. Mark my words when the right one comes along he’ll change, he wont be nearly as cavalier.That’s when he’ll finally be a man. I guess he was right huh?”

Mason reached up and squeezed her hand that was resting on his shoulder. “I don’t know about that Wendy, but I sure don’t feel like I usually do when I’m with her.”

Wendy tilted her head to the side and lifted her lips in a small smile, “In that case I’ll forgive you for acting like a jackass, but don’t think your new nickname around here isn’t going to be Casanova, lover boy.”

Mason winced at that then felt his shoulders relax as she leaned over and kissed his cheek.

“Don’t worry, even if the women flock to the restaurant in droves to meet you, they’re still paying customers.”

Rachel grinned at him. “Yeah and we all know women are suckers for cocktails from hot men and pastries to drown their sorrows.”

He felt himself laugh a little at that. “That’s a horrible assessment of a woman.”

Rachel rolled her eyes and stood, “Oh please I speak the truth. I’ve been there before and trust me I’ve tasted the bottom of a tequila bottle and eaten a tub of ice-cream, on my own. Us women know how to feel sorry for ourselves.”

Mason nodded and was about to stand to go back to his office.

“Actually speaking of reasons to drink and feel sorry for ourselves this article was pre-tt-y bad, sure you don’t want a gallon of rocky road?”

He stood up hugged his sister and smiled a little at Wendy, “Nah I’m good as long as you two still love me.”

Wendy grinned and Mason smiled as they both moved in to hug him. He heard Wendy whisper against his ear. “What woman could resist Casanova?”

They all cracked up and Mason looked down at them, “That’s never going away now is it?”

They both grinned at him and shook their heads. “Nope.”

All was right again, well in this part of his life anyway.

Wednesday rolled around and Lena was surprised to find she was disappointed she hadn’t heard from Mason. She didn’t really know what to expect but had figured after their day on Saturday he would’ve called her. While trying not to think about it she was also trying equally hard not to care, she was failing miserably on both counts. She’d vacillated between, he was busy with work to he was busy with family to finally, he’d got what he wanted and never wanted to see her again. Really what it came down to though was she was obsessing over a man. Something she’d never done in her whole life. Add to that he just happened to be one of the most sought after men in their city and she just felt like a complete loser groupie, instead of the professional doctor that she was.

Somehow, this man had worked his way past her defenses and deep inside to a place she usually kept under lock and key. In fact she’d let him in where no man had ever been, her heart. She wasn’t sure to what extent but she knew she was starting to feel something for him and that scared the shit out of her. She loved the way he never backed down when she was in a raging mood or how he’d cook for her and snap back with comments so witty it made her grin, and want to smack him while doing it, and that ability he had to walk away when she needed him to but not to stay away too long. Up until now that is. He’d stayed away to long and it was starting to drive her insane.

Walking down to the main cafeteria to get breakfast she saw the television in one of the waiting rooms flash up with a news story. Next to the local morning show reporter’s head flashed a picture of the gorgeous Mr. Langley. He was wearing a crisp blue button up shirt that was open at the neck. His hair was pushed back carelessly as though he’d ran his fingers through it and he was smiling at whoever had taken the photograph. It was an amazing photo. Under it was a caption that read, Entrepreneurial Chef or Professional Playboy? Lena’s eyes widened and she found herself walking into the waiting room to stand in front of the television. There were two other women sitting in the room and she heard one of them say.

“Oh playboy for sure. But look at those eyes, so handsome. Why wouldn’t he be?”

Lena winced a little, why wouldn’t he indeed. She waited for the story since the show had cut to commercial break and when it came back on she reached under and turned the volume up a little.

“Ok all you single ladies. We bring you a report today on our favorite local bachelor, Mason Langley. We all know the story of this handsome young man but it seems now the whole country is aware of it. It was reported recently in Delicious magazine that this Casanova is up for grabs and he actually has two mystery women out there vying to be next in line.”

Lena felt her whole body stiffen and she actually felt her jaw drop open as the reporter continued.

“Reports mention a ‘stunning red head and a buxom brunette’ were arguing over the smokin hot chef on Friday night at his restaurant, Exquisite. Now ladies, since we’ve just let the whole country in on one of our city’s best kept secrets you home town girls better hurry and snatch him up before he gets snagged by an outsider. Reports keep tossing around the number 34 like this should be the next lottery number you play however, sources confirm that this would be the number of women the hunky chef has dated looking for love. So come on ladies time to get down to Exquisite and see if you can stand the heat in the kitchen.”

Lena felt all the blood drain from her face and watched in complete horror as the show cut to commercial. Now it all started to make sense. No wonder he hadn’t called her he must be furious with her right now. Oh god, what on earth had she been thinking when she’d thrown that unforgivable fit of jealousy in his place of business? She would’ve had him castrated if he’d done that to her at the hospital. She turned and was walking to the door when she heard one of the women behind her.

“Heck if I was a little younger I’d be running down to that place myself.”

Lena closed her eyes took a breath and walked out of the room mortified. She quickly made her way back to her office completely ditching the idea of eating, and walked in shut her door and picked up the phone. She dialed his cell phone not really knowing what she’d say but when she got his voicemail she paused for a moment before continuing.

“Langley, ahh, hi it’s Dr O’Donnell. Lena.” she paused rolling her eyes at her own stupidity. She let out a deep sigh then continued, finding out for the first time in her life that she was horrible at groveling, and even worse at apologizing.

“I just saw a report on the television this morning about the restaurant. Actually it was more about you. They had a great picture of you on the report by the way.” she stopped and winced, “Listen I’m calling to tell you I’m sorry. I’m assuming that’s why you haven’t called me because you’re pissed off.” she stopped leaning back in her chair. “I don’t blame you, I’d be pissed off at me to. Let me tell you this though then I’ll leave you alone.”

Taking a deep breath she shut her eyes and took courage in both hands. “I didn’t want anyone in my life until you fought your way into it and I miss hearing from you, even if it is just to argue,.” she laughed a little at that, “and Mason? I want to be number 34. So pick me not the stunning redhead.” then with that she hung up the phone.