Mrs. Grady sat sipping her coffee at the front counter, while Dani bopped at the stainless steel workspace in the kitchen assembling a spinach and mushroom white lasagna. Dani was hosting the Wednesday night crew at the new restaurant as a dry run. The counter with a view into the open kitchen had newly reupholstered second hand stools, thanks to Nick's handiness with a staple gun and Olivia's keen eye at a fabric clearance sale. The bright sunshine yellow and white chevron pattern really popped against the navy blue that Dani had painted the bottom of the island. Mrs. Grady swiveled in the comfortable new bar stools.
“Nick built this counter, huh?”
The butcher block topped counter replaced most of the donut display cases that had dominated the front room. Removing the large wall of bins opened the kitchen to the dining room. Dani could keep an eye on the flow out front, while she was busy cooking in the back.
“He did. Isn’t it gorgeous? He laid my new wood flooring, too.” Dani cast a critical eye over her café and approved. She'd succeeded in turning a strip mall donut shop into a welcoming home.
Dani wiped her hands on the towel tucked into her apron before reaching into her pocket to check the chiming message on her phone. She laughed out loud before dropping the phone back in her apron pocket and turning back to her lasagna. She started humming and dancing to the music in her head, as she layered noodles, veggies, and béchamel sauce.
"So, who's put that wiggle in your hips?" Mrs. Grady teased.
"Hmm?" Dani's head jolted up, and then she realized she was grinning like an idiot. She had been mentally composing a funny rejoinder to the text that Captain America had just sent her. Blushing, she turned her head back to the task at hand before answering.
"Oh, no one you know."
"Really?" Mrs. Grady sounded disappointed. "What's going on with Nick?"
Jolted from her happy thoughts, Dani asked herself the same question. What was going on with her and Nick? He was always around, always willing to help. He'd done most of the demolition for the café himself, and had borrowed Seth to knock out the added construction. That had been a fraught weekend. Stella had come by just to watch. Testosterone bouncing off the walls, inside jokes and teasing between the two army buddies, sweaty t-shirts sticking to shoulders bunching with the effort of building a new frame and seating island, had all combined to leave Dani...itchy. Her dreams had been filled with large capable hands building her up to an explosive release.
Even though she'd stipulated that friendship was the only possibility for their future, her stubborn hormones hadn't gotten the message. They still flashed her to red alert whenever he passed into her personal space. It felt like he was always under foot, opening doors, a casual hand on the waist or the shoulder when he entered her space. She doubted he noticed how she tensed up whenever his hand came to a rest on her nape, sending tingling goose bumps chasing down her spine. Though he was driving her crazy, she couldn’t complain. He’d been a helpful friend, and nothing more, as promised.
In his every word and action, he projected the caring friendship they were working towards. She continued to crave his touch, his attention, his kisses, his… well, her naughty voice had many opinions on the subject. The guilt and shame ate at her. Why couldn’t she just accept that this man wanted nothing more than to be her friend? Why did she have to ruin things by wanting more?
It took a conscious effort on her part to not hijack their interactions and take it to a primal level. When he was on his back under the counter, installing her new sink and plumbing out the disposal, she’d pictured herself straddling those taut hips and riding him to completion. When his tool belt tugged the waistband of his well-worn blue jeans low enough to reveal the chiseled indent of his abs disappearing lower, she had to silence the voice that urged her to kneel down and lick him. Right. There. At the end of a long day at the stove, he would stand behind her and rub the knots in her shoulder with his firm fingers and warm palms, releasing the tensions she'd stored in there throughout the day. Dani ordered herself to relax and accept the gesture of friendship as it was intended, but the tension merely shifted from her shoulders to the pit of her stomach as she willed herself not to turn around and kiss him senseless.
Adding to the load of guilt weighing heavily on her mind, Dani felt disloyal. Here she was lusting after one man who still held a place in her heart, while flirting with another online. Was it cheating if you wanted two men at the same time? Well, not literally at the same time, but they both took up space in her heart and she was having a hard time reconciling her own feelings on that. True, she hadn't actually met Captain America, but they had regular "dates" scheduled to chat online, and she really felt like she'd made a solid connection there. He was funny, insightful, and charming. She found herself looking forward to their online interactions as much as she would a physical date. They had even begun to get a little more risqué in their exchanges. She needed to give the Captain a real chance. She had her shot with Nick, and blew it. He wasn’t interested in trying again. She needed to move on as well. She should be ecstatic that she’d found someone else to talk to so easily.
Still, she hesitated to meet him face to face. What if something went wrong and changed the dynamic? What if he was another Felix? OK, there was no way he was a Felix, but what if she disappointed him and he pulled away? She was relying heavily on him for support as she tried to ignore her urges for Nick and get her restaurant up and running. She didn't think she could bear it if she lost his support now.
Pulling herself from her thoughts, she answered Mrs. Grady.
"What's going on with Nick? He's doing great. He's in a really good place, considering everything that's happened. He hasn't had an episode in weeks. But we are just friends. That's what we agreed on, and that's what he's been. I don't think he's interested in anything more."
"Piffle! I don't buy that for a minute, but we'll leave it for now. If not Nick, who's got you blushing at your phone?"
Feeling her ears go warm, betrayed by her blush yet again, Dani giggled. Giggled, for God's sake, like a sixth grader who just got passed a note from the boy she liked. She supposed, in a way, that's exactly what had happened.
"Just this guy I met online. We haven't even talked in person, but I feel like we've been friends for years. There's something compelling about him. He's funny, and sweet, and supportive when I need a boost. He always seems to know just what to say."
"Well, he certainly puts a smile on your face."
"That he does, Patty. That he does... I’m so excited. Are you sure that no one minds coming down here for Wednesday dinner? I know it's a bit of an inconvenience to get everyone out of the building..."
"Are you kidding? Sunny, we've all been dying to get into this place! We want to support you, and you need to practice in this kitchen. I can't tell you how grateful I've been that you've been keeping my freezer stocked for the dinners on top of getting all of this up and running. Believe me, we are honored to be your first guests."
"OK, OK, I'll stop worrying! I'm just so nervous and excited. I can't believe that the grand opening is next week!"
"You are ready. This place already shines, and I know you've got that kitchen organized to the last inch. Helen would be so proud." Dani looked over at the picture of her aunt featured prominently on the "Memory Wall." The young woman smiling at the camera, dressed in her Navy dress blue uniform radiated excitement and confidence. Dani had always marveled at the resemblance. As she turned from putting the lasagna in the oven and came to the island to give Patty a tight hug.
"What you're doing here is special, Dani. I'm proud of you, too."
"Oh, now I'm going to cry!" Dani laughed through the tears choking her throat. "Go round everybody up. I'll see you in an hour. And thanks Mrs. Grady, for more than you know.”
Dani turned back to look at Aunt Helen’s picture in pride of place on the wall, and whispered, “Here goes nothing! Wish me luck.”
Promptly at 6 o'clock, the regular Wednesday crew arrived for dinner, with a few extra welcome faces. Patty Grady led the charge, followed by Jack and Joe. The Colonel escorted Mrs. Betancourt in and got her seated at the long table. Jimmy held the door for everyone, and then followed them in and headed back to the kitchen. Dani firmly turned him around and pushed him back out front.
"Tonight, you are a guest. I want your honest opinion. So, go sit and mingle. Meet my friends. Relax and enjoy! I don't want to catch you hiding in the kitchen tonight!"
"Yes, ma'am." Jimmy laughed as he found himself seated between the intimidating Mrs. Grady and the Colonel, who leaned over to whisper, "Her bark is worse than her bite.”
“Which one?” Jimmy replied.
The bell on the door jingled, as Nick, Whiskey, and Seth came in to join the group. Bella followed them in and settled behind Nick’s chair.
"I hope we're not late!" he called back to her in the kitchen, as they took their seats at the table.
"Nope, you're right on time." Dani came from the back carrying a tray of garlic rubbed bruschetta topped with fresh tomatoes, basil, salt, and olive oil. She set it down in the middle of the table. "We are still waiting on the girls."
"I'm here! I'm not late!" Stella swirled into the room, enveloping Dani in a cloud of perfume and a massive hug. "And I'm starving! This looks divine!" She reached for a piece of toasted bread before taking her seat. Olivia and Jamie followed her in, and took two of the remaining seats, after each giving Dani a quick hug and kiss. Dani was ecstatic that her friends from different areas of her life had all formed a tight bond so quickly.
"We all drove over together, and we actually left on time! But I swear we hit every single light on the way over here! I hope we didn't hold you up."
"Not at all, you're just in time. Sit and enjoy! I'll be back in a few with drinks and the salad."
Dani made introductions around the table, and everyone settled into easy conversation. Stella still refused to talk to Nick, pointedly avoiding any conversation with the man sitting across from her. On the whole, though, everyone was comfortable. Dani swirled back into the kitchen to finish prepping. They were sharing jokes and funny stories by the time she came back bearing the small glasses of ginger ale.
Raising her own glass, Dani cleared her throat.
"Thank you, everyone, for coming tonight. It means a lot to me that the first meal I serve in this restaurant will be to my nearest and dearest friends. I also want to thank you for the support each of you has graciously given me as I've worked to get this place up and running. I couldn't have done it without you." Getting choked up by the love she saw reflected back at her around the table, she finished quickly. "To Aunt Helen and The Sunshine Café. May we bring a little sunshine into your day!"
"Here, here," chorused around the table.
The Sunshine Café was officially open for business.
“So, Nick, how’s everything going at the apartment?” Jack Delano asked from the end of the table.
“All good. I got the drywall fixed like you showed me.”
“It’s easier to do once you’ve seen it done. And when you’ve got that many holes to patch, sometimes it’s just easier to replace the whole panel.”
“Why were there holes in your walls?” Olivia asked. Her face showed an innocent interest.
Dani watched Nick turn in on himself. An awkward silence fell over the table. She knew he’d had rages before he left for therapy. He’d had significant repairs to make, but all of that was behind him now. He was doing so much better. She hated to see him hurting like this, so she dove into the gap to change the subject. She’d protect him if she could.
“So, Olivia, have you tried the San Jose Singles site yet?”
“I set up a profile, but I swear there aren’t any guys on there for me.” Olivia followed the conversation away from the treacherous edge. “I think you found the only keeper. Ugh!”
“What do you mean Dani found a keeper?” Mrs. B. perked up across the table. All eyes turned to Dani, expecting her to elaborate. Well, she’d opened the door. She might as well step through it. This would be her first solid step to put her feelings for Nick behind her.
“I met a guy online and he’s pretty terrific.” She glanced at Nick to see how he was taking this news, but he seemed remarkably calm. Was he smiling? She couldn’t tell for sure because he was keeping his head down. Was he happy for her or was he laughing at her? If she’d needed any more confirmation that he didn’t care about her as more than a friend, she’d just gotten it. If he still wanted her, no way would he be grinning that she’d moved on. Unable to explain why that truth hurt, Dani embraced it and moved through it.
“His name is Captain America, and he is really funny and sweet and kind. He’s been such a big support as I’ve been getting this place opened.”
“Why didn’t you invite him tonight?”
“No offense, but meeting the whole family at once isn’t my idea of a great first date.”
“First date? You mean you haven’t met the guy?” Seth asked and then grunted. Did Nick just elbow him in the ribs?
“No, I haven’t, but we’ve been dating regularly online for a few weeks now. I wanted to get the opening of the café behind me before I added anything else on my plate. But I’ll meet him soon. I really like the guy.” This last she said directly to Nick, but he wasn’t even paying attention. He was reaching behind his chair for something.
“Dani, can you come with me into the kitchen for a minute?” Nick held a large wrapped rectangle in his hands. What was that all about?
“Sure. You can help me bring out the salad and lasagna.” She followed him back behind the counter. The open concept afforded little privacy, but at least the distance made it harder to hear exactly what they were saying.
“Listen, Nick, about this dating thing…” He put a finger on her lips and the words died in her throat. How did he do that? How did he scramble her wits with a single touch? It wasn’t fair.
“Dani, I’m happy you’ve found somebody who can give you what you need.” He let his finger drag down her chin before letting it fall again. It wasn’t her imagination that he stared at her lips a second longer than he needed to. “I didn’t call you back here for that. I wanted to give you this.”
He laid the large rectangle on the stainless silver prep table. She tore the wrapping paper away to reveal a two foot by two foot walnut cutting board with inlaid maple stripes. In one corner, the logo of the café had been burned into the surface. The smooth and well oiled wood felt like silk as she ran her hand over the surface.
“Where did you get this Nick? It’s gorgeous.”
“I made it.”
“You made it? You made this gorgeous cutting board from scratch?”
“I wanted you to have something from me to say good luck.”
“But Nick, you already helped me so much, the counter…the bar…” Her words were failing her in the face of her surprise.
“Dani, you have supported me through so much. I wanted to do the same for you. That’s what friends do, right? Now, every day when you are chopping whatever needs chopping, you’ll do it on the board I made you, and you’ll remember that you’ve always got a friend in me.”
She leaned in and gave him a hug, too overcome to reply. Damn him. How was she supposed to move on when he kept doing sweet things like this? She’d just have to set up a date with Captain America. Once she had someone else in her life, someone who could help her take care of some of these physical needs, she’d be able to keep her reactions to Nick in the friend box. Yes, that’s just what she’d do. He had worked hard to get himself well enough to be her friend, the least she could do was hold up her end of the bargain. It would work. It had to, because this was a friendship she refused to lose.