Free After the Party by Jackie Braun

frown, however, she gathered her answer wasn’t what he wanted to hear.
    “When are you thinking of hosting this dinner?”
    “The sooner the better. I know this is very last minute, but does a week from next Saturday work for you?”
    “I didn’t bring my appointment calendar with me, but I believe that date is available,” she told him dryly.
    “I thought it might be.” Half of his mouth rose again. “I’ll pay you in advance for your services, and you can charge any expenses to my credit card.”
    Ella nearly wilted in relief at his response. In addition to needing to pay back Elliot, she was down to condiments, half a bag of baby carrots and two cups of Greek yogurt in her fridge.
    “I appreciate that. I’ll need the names and addresses of your guests. The turnaround will be tight, but I’d like to send out proper invitations rather than rely on email, although to make it easier for your guests they can RSVP via computer.”
    “I’ll get them to you first thing Monday,” he replied just as the waiter returned with Chase’s steak.
    On the table in front of Ella, the waiter placed a plate of mixed baby greens tossed in the house vinaigrette. She’d told Chase the truth about having already eaten, but nibbling on a salad seemed preferable to simply sitting there watching him eat a mouthwatering cut of meat.
    Although she put away her notepad, they continued to discuss the dinner party during the meal. He assured her that his dining room and its furnishings could accommodate all of his guests.
    “What about place settings, cutlery, stemware and serving pieces? I only ask because not every bachelor has those,” she told him.
    “I have service for twenty-four.”
    Her mouth fell open. “Seriously? You have service for twenty-four?”
    “Not at the penthouse, but they’re packed away in my uncle’s attic,” he said on a shrug. “They were my mother’s.”
    “Oh. I’m sorry.”
    Chase frowned in confusion. “Why are you sorry?”
    It was Ella’s turn to be perplexed. “I...I assumed the fact that you have them now meant she’s, well, dead.”
    Ella had nothing of her late mother’s. When Camilla had bailed on Oscar, she’d taken off with her all of the jewelry, trinkets and china that, by rights, should have been Ella’s.
    Chase was saying, “My mother is very much alive and well. I just haven’t seen her in a couple of decades.”
    Ella blinked. “Sorry,” she offered again before she could think better of it. Then she blundered further by saying, “At least you have your dad.”
    “Actually, my father is dead.”
    “Oh.” It was all she could manage with both of her feet stuffed in her mouth.
    Chase took pity on her and changed the subject. “How much wine do you think I should order?”
    Grateful for the change in topics, she replied, “I think three bottles should do it for a group that size, unless you are thinking of offering your guests more than one selection to go with the meal.”
    By the time the waiter had cleared their plates and brought her dessert, Ella had a very good idea of the gathering she would be putting together on Chase’s behalf. But that wasn’t why she was smiling. The cheesecake looked as good as she remembered with a drizzle of sauce as well as a few fresh strawberries layered on top.
    “I’m willing to share,” she told Chase.
    Unlike her, he had ordered only coffee, which he took black. Ella loved coffee, as long as it came with plenty of cream and a few packets of sweetener.
    “That’s all right.”
    “Watching your figure?”
    He chuckled. “I think that’s supposed to be my line.”
    “I’m all for role reversal.” She tilted her head to one side and smiled. “Well? Do you?”
    “Watch my figure?”
    “Want a bite.”
    “Maybe one.” He winked. “I can work it off later.”
    He was talking about exercise. Probably lifting weights or taking a turn on an elliptical machine, but she felt her flesh heat up anyway. She could think of a