The Winemaker's Dinner: Entrée (13 page)

Surprise?
It had been too long since she was treated to one of Ivan’s amazing surprises. Praying there was nothing major coming up on the schedule, Jaden whipped out her phone and checked her calendar. Perfect—they didn’t start filming again until midweek after she came back. Feeling excitement course through her, she read the third and final message.

My love for you runs through my veins like a fine wine.
You intoxicate me.

With a wide smile, she typed a quick message back:

I can take a few extra days—anything
for one of your surprises!
Gotta run to the gala. Xoxo

As she put her phone away, Jaden pulled the tiger eye rosary from her purse—the one Ivan had made as a teenager and she’d selected from among his mother’s jewelry creations. She drew comfort from it whenever they were apart. Smiling, she tucked it back into the inside pocket where it had been since the day Marie gave it to her.

Inside her dressing room, she found Kat ready and waiting, dressed from head to toe in black and wearing a million-dollar smile.

“Hey, girl, are you ready to be made up? I have a new eye shadow I picked up just for tonight. I think you’re gonna love it!”

“Yes, darling, make me purrrrty,” Jaden replied in the thickest hillbilly accent she could manage.

“Did you see the dress the studio sent over for you to wear?” Kat asked, motioning to the closet door.

Jaden turned to look and gawked in surprise. “Pink? Really? Wow, they’re really trying to girl me up, aren’t they?”

“I’m guessing they’re dressing Damian in blue so the two of you can be the Barbie and Ken of the party: One Hot Couple from
One Hot Kitchen
.”

“That boy is a perfect Ken,” Jaden remarked. “Thankfully I’m not Barbie, and Ken is
soooo
not my type.”

“What, no bad boy fetish?” Kat mused. She gestured for Jaden to sit and began brushing her hair.

“I never understood the whole bad boy, cocky attitude thing that appeals to some women,” Jaden admitted. “I’m more of an old-school gal. I go for compliments and chivalry—the whole jackets over puddles deal. Thinking your shit doesn’t stink does nothing for me. Damian needs a bit of an attitude adjustment. He’s one hot piece of real estate, but he’s just not for me.”

“I’d do him in a heartbeat,” Kat countered.

Jaden burst into laughter. “I’m sure all you have to do is ask him! No doubt he’d be a hell of a lay. I’d be lying if I said I hadn’t Googled him and admired a picture or two, but I have everything I need with Ivan.” She sank back in the chair while Kat went to work on her hair and makeup, giggling at her crazy stories.

“How are things with Ivan?” Kat asked when the conversation had steered itself back in that direction.

“Things are okay, I guess. But it’s getting harder. The distance makes it difficult. But he’s still as romantic as ever. There was the Napa trip a couple months ago, and now he’s planning some other surprise when we go to visit my folks in Colorado in a couple weeks. He’s trying to make things as easy as possible, but it’s still hard.”

“He’s meeting your family?”

“Yes.” Jaden smiled. “My mom invited Ivan to my dad’s retirement party.”

“Hmmm,” was all Kat said as she continued her inquisition. “Do you trust him? I mean, he’s a doctor, a model, and has all the right connections. I’d be worried he was dipping his pen in the proverbial Miami ink.”

Jaden sighed, trying to sound dismissive. What was it with people always suggesting Ivan was unfaithful? She trusted him, and he trusted her. That’s why they had such an amazing relationship. Without trust, it would’ve collapsed ages ago.

“All I know,” Kat continued, “is with his good looks and charm, I’d keep him under lock and key.”

“Ah, well…” Jaden managed, this time not feeling as certain. Her mind began to spin in every direction. He had been distant…and so busy…But that’s just what happens sometimes, right? Then, clear as a bell, a conversation that did not actually include her began to play in her head:

Is he being faithful
so far away?

Yes, of course.
He would never
do anything like that.

Wouldn’t he?
How much does
she know of his past?

She knows of his present,
the promises he’s made,
and that’s what matters.

She’s only known him
for so long. Is there
history she doesn’t
know about?

Why does there
have to be history?

Doctor, model,
entrepreneur
…come on, really?

Those things
don’t mean he’s destined
to be a playboy.

How stupid are you?