Page 72 of A Billionaire for Christmas
‘Here, take these.’ Molly bent down to retrieve two tiny ramekins filled with thinly sliced duck and shallots on a bed of mashed buttery potato. She took a pan from the stove and poured a drizzle of cherry brandy, sloe and plum sauce.
A cheer alerted them to the fact that the first round had been successful. Freda hurried through into the kitchen followed by Lucca. ‘It’s working,’ he said excitedly, his eyes shining.
Molly gave them both a slate platter each. ‘Instruct them to eat from left to right in order, then this one last. When they’ve finished, we’ll give them a palate cleanser ready for the next round of questions.’
They watched Freda and Lucca go. Levi cleared his throat. ‘This was a very thoughtful idea. I’m sorry for the way I’ve been behaving. I should never have accused you of…’
Molly held up a hand. ‘It’s fine. Let’s just get through this meal and then we can talk. I still owe you an explanation for the letter you found. And then, when you realise you’re wrong about me, you can apologise for being such a tosser.’
Levi’s eyes softened as they exchanged a tender look. ‘Okay. I’m guessing that’s some kind of jerk. What’s next?’
Molly had loved recreating this one. Freda had often heard her mother go on about how overjoyed she was to be expecting Levi but how difficult pregnancy in France had been due to her bizarre cravings for American food. Molly had managed to recreate the classic 1980s cheddar melt and the short-lived caramel pecan roll that apparently Armand had flown across the Atlantic especially for his wife.
‘They must have been so deeply in love at the beginning,’ Molly whispered as she assembled the miniscule, bite-size cheeseburgers. ‘It’s such a shame how couples drift apart. Can you sprinkle those with cinnamon, please, and lie a gingerbread toffee twist onto the sauce?’
Levi gave her an intense look but said nothing as he did what she asked.
* * *
It was somewhere around the sixth round that Armand and Valerie could be heard laughing. ‘I haven’t heard them laughing like that for a long time,’ Levi declared. ‘I guess I’m away a lot. I hadn’t realised how far apart they’d grown.’
‘Well, this next round is a take on the time they took you to visit your grandparents in Phoenix.’
‘Are those Mexican hotdogs?’ Lucca sneaked up behind them. ‘I can still taste them. I ate so many I was sick, remember?’
Levi chuckled. ‘Yep. Who could forget? You threw up over the back of Papa’s head as he was driving.’
Molly watched the two brothers share a friendly look. Lucca put a hand on Levi’s shoulder. ‘That was the best trip ever, wasn’t it?’
‘I made a whole pile of them over there,’ Molly whispered, pointing to the bench adjacent. ‘Help yourselves.’
Freda walked over. ‘Molly, you’re a genius. I’ve never seen my parents enjoy themselves this much in, like, forever. Mother is actuallyeatingfor once.’ She gasped. ‘No way! Are they Mexican hotdogs? Like the ones Grandma used to make?’ She rushed over to Levi and Lucca and began digging in. ‘And mini fries? This is like the best tasting ever. Can you pass me one of those fishy things, please?’
‘I suppose I’ll be jetting in a supply of these from Mexico for the wedding?’ Levi joked to Freda.
Freda instantly looked at Molly, who pretended to tidy away dishes.
Like a prairie dog, Levi’s ears pricked up. ‘What’s going on? Am I missing something?’
Freda and Molly said in unison, ‘Nothing.’
‘Is everything okay?’ Levi asked them.
Molly admired how astute and mentally quick Levi was becoming around his family. She was finding his empathy increasingly attractive.
‘Service,’ Molly said to Freda and Lucca. ‘Take these melted puddings before they go cold. Freda, you take the cake stand with all the desserts. It’s the last round.’
Levi leaned towards her. ‘It appears you know more about my family than I do.’
Molly felt the hairs on her arms bristle. He wasn’t wrong. His close proximity was clearing her mind of ways to avoid telling him the truth. She needed to start with her own. She gazed into his dark eyes. She had his undivided attention. ‘The reason why I’m here working at the resort is because my business partner had already signed off on the contract months and months before, when we had staff and she was hoping to expand the business, but?—’
They were interrupted by Freda and Lucca approaching. ‘Mother wants to see you, Molly.’
She gave Levi an apologetic look. ‘I’ll be right back.’ Molly wiped her hands clean and went through. Valerie was sitting alone. She beckoned Molly close. Then closer until Molly was bending down a few inches from Valerie’s face.
‘Get the phone now,’ she instructed. ‘When he returns from the bathroom, I’ll keep him talking. It’s on the bedside cabinet charging. Call me into the kitchen when you have it, then you can put it back once I’ve had a look.’
Molly gasped. ‘No. I told you I wouldn’t.’
