Page 31 of Slow Simmer

Chapter Fifteen

Myst, or at least her management, were much more helpful than B-Rex, providing the information that Myst rarely consumed red meat and had an allergy to shellfish by dinner that evening. Carlo and Suzannah discussed possible options while lying in bed that night and sent through some suggestions via email the following morning, along with a couple of wine suggestions to appease Edouard.

“Looks like Myst makes her mind up quickly,” Suzannah looked up from her computer as Carlo entered her office that afternoon. “She’s chosen the chicken and pesto tagliatelle with herb and garlic damper bread, and your mandarin chocolate bombe for dessert.”

“Clearly a lady of discerning tastes,” Carlo said cheerfully. “And, bonus, the bombes can be made ahead.”

“So can the pesto, and the tagliatelle will just come from the fresh pasta stock for the day. I won’t have a lot of cooking to do, it’s just the presentation.” Leaning back in her chair, Suzannah read the email over again. “She wants Australian sparkling wine rather than French champagne, but we’re not allowed to show any labels according to the record producer. The wine will be poured into glasses on the table.”

“Sounds suspiciously simple. Undoubtedly something will happen to stuff it up.” They shared a wry glance, all too aware of how even the best-laid plans could go awry, especially when celebrities prone to diva-like behaviour were involved.

“Especially if our saboteur chips in,” Suzannah voiced her fear. “You or I need to be the only ones who touch anything going to be served to Myst and B-Rex, and we need to be sure nobody else can get to it, at all times.”

“Good point.” Carlo considered. “I could make the bombes the previous day and take them down to Jace’s villa, to store in his fridge. Along with the pesto, if you want to make that ahead too.”

Suzannah nodded in agreement. “We’ll take everything we plan to use down the previous day, I think. Don’t give anyone the opportunity to tamper. It’s easy enough for me to whip up a quick batch of pasta down there.”

Putting their heads together, they started making a list of everything they’d need to check Jace had in his villa, or take over themselves. Suzannah threw up her hands about ten minutes in and suggested they just go over to Jace’s and have a look.

“Good plan. You got his number?” Carlo asked.

“No, but I have Nessa’s.” Fishing out her phone, Suzannah sent a quick text, and a moment later apingannounced a return message.

“She’s invited us to come over. She and Jace are there now,” Suzannah said.

“Do we walk? I don’t know where it is.”

“I do, and no, it’s way too far to walk on a hot afternoon like this! We’ll grab a golf cart… and I’m driving.”

Carlo shrugged, not having a problem with that in the least. He didn’t even know where they were going, hadn’t been over to the half of the island where the luxurious private villas were located. He was more than happy to let Suzannah lead the way.

“Holy wow,” he said about ten minutes later, staring open-mouthed up at the large, architecturally-designed villa Suzannah had just parked outside.

“You do recall Jace is a billionaire?” Suzannah said teasingly. “Besides, it doesn’t compare to having your own castle.”

“I suppose.” He gave her a quizzical look as they left the buggy and walked up to the villa’s smoked-glass front doors. “What makes you say that?”

Suzannah’s expression was incredulous. “Are you joking? You’ve got Castillo Gianetti to go back to any time you like!”

“It’s hardly mine, though!”

“Semantics! You’ll be the Comte once your father dies, won’t you?”

“Wherever did you get that idea?” Carlo blinked at her, astonished. “I have an older brother, who has two sons of his own. I’m well down the line of succession to the title, thank God.”

“What?” Suzannah’s jaw dropped, and she was gaping at him in complete astonishment when the door swung open.

“Hey,” Nessa said cheerfully. Taking in the couple standing on the doorstep staring at each other with mutually shocked expressions, she wrinkled her nose. “Is my timing shitty? Do you guys need to talk whatever that’s about over before you come in?”

“No,” Suzannah said after a moment, tearing her gaze from Carlo’s. “Sorry, Nessa. I was just… surprised by something Carlo told me.”

“Okay.” Nessa shrugged amiably. She looked charming, Carlo thought, wearing a soft white cotton dress which left her shoulders and most of her slim legs bare, the colour a stunning contrast to her deep brown skin. Her long black braids, each secured with a tiny bead at the very end, swung around her as she turned to lead them into the house. “Jace is just on the phone with a client,” she said over her shoulder as she led them into the magnificent kitchen. “He’ll be along in a minute, but he said have at it. Check out everything, see what you might need.”

Carlo stared around, impressed. He’d seen a few high-end private kitchens, but honestly never one as well-designed and fitted out. The appliances alone would cost more than his very generous annual salary.

“Wow,” he mouthed, turning in a slow circle, staring as Nessa opened a tall cupboard door which proved not to be a cupboard at all, but the entrance to a butler’s pantry.

“Over the top, isn’t it?” Nessa said cheerfully. “Jace actually thought you might like to borrow it to film your YouTube shows, if you have any issues scheduling it in the restaurant kitchen. There’s always so much going on there.”

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