Catering to Three Read Online Free

breathed. “It’s always good when a client recommends us. I’ve enjoyed working with Mr. Barnes.”
    “And he you.” He smiled. “Please, before we sit down to discuss the particulars of the party, I would like to show you the house and the grounds so you have an idea of what you’ll be working with.”
    Julie was anxious to see the house. Did this mean she was already hired? If that were the case, Keith Barnes must have given their company a glowing recommendation.
    Noah Jamison walked toward the door she had just entered and opened it for her. Once they were in the hallway, he lightly cupped her elbow to guide her down the hall into the kitchen. It was huge. Kelly would be so jealous. It was even bigger than the one in their new store. She couldn’t believe how it sparkled like it had never been used before. An abundance of gray granite counters and large stainless steel appliances, including two stoves and a huge double-wide refrigerator, made her head reel. This was a caterer’s dream come true. There was nothing she couldn’t do in a kitchen like this.
    “You like it?”
    “Like it, it’s fabulous,” she gushed. “I mean, who wouldn’t love a kitchen like this? It will be easy to work in here.”
    “I’m glad it meets with your approval. I’m hardly ever in here.” He laughed before he said, “You probably won’t find the rest of the house nearly as impressive.”
    “I doubt that, but since the nature of my business keeps me in the kitchen, I can see why you might think that.” She found herself laughing, too. He was very easy to talk to when she wasn’t being overwhelmed by his good looks.
    The tour continued through the house until they reached the formal dining room. It, too, was impressive. However, it was the ballroom with a wall of windowed French doors that made her head spin. It was larger and more elegant than what she had seen in most hotels. When he opened the doors, she was greeted by a beautiful garden and a spectacular view of the San Francisco Bay.
    They walked down a path through the garden leading to an Olympic-size pool. He held out a wrought-iron chair for her. He sat down across from her, laying his suit jacket over a nearby chair. He loosened his tie. Julie watched his every move, mesmerized. She caught herself, hoping her mouth hadn’t been gaping. Slightly embarrassed, she looked out toward the Bay.
    “Beautiful, isn’t it?”
    “Yes,” she said, shielding her eyes from the sun. “It’s beautiful.”
    “I like beautiful things, and luckily I’m in a position to be able to acquire them.”
    When she looked back at Noah Jamison, she thought for a moment he was staring at her like she in line to be one of those possessions. However, in the next breath, he was all business.
    “This is going to be more than just a dinner, Julie. It’s really an all-day conference beginning with breakfast. I’m going to be holding workshops throughout the day. Dinner will be here in the garden and afterward there will be dancing. We’ll also have drinks beforehand. So, I’m going to need your services from early morning until the wee hours of the next morning. I hope that won’t be a problem for you since I expect that you’ll be here to supervise every detail.”
    “Goodness, no,” Julie said quickly. “I would imagine you’ll have breaks during the workshops that you’ll want catered, too.”
    “Absolutely. The people I’m inviting are agents and writers for the most part. I want this to be an event they’ll remember. I can handle the business side, but I’m counting on you to cater to their palates with sophisticated but delicious food that will have them begging for more.”
    “Exactly the type of event that we excel at,” Julie lied. She had never catered an event like this, and she was pretty sure that Kelly hadn’t either. However, she didn’t want Noah Jamison to know that. If she pulled this off, and she would pull it off, it would take their business to a