Bidding on the Bachelor Page 7

  She’d been so dazzled, so mesmerized by him, that she’d simply said the same words back to him before falling into his arms.

  But those memories were from a million years ago. Things were different now and she wasn’t attending this party as a moony-eyed, boy-crazy teenager. She needed to establish herself. “Purpose, purpose, purpose,” she said to her reflection in the mirror. Once again, she eyed her dress options. Finally, she chose one of her favorites. It was a sparkly, strapless number in a pale baby blue that brought out her light eyes. The dress skimmed the middle of her thighs, making her long legs appear even longer, especially when she paired it with her favorite pair of sinful silver stilettos.

  After she added a pair of long dangly earrings, she swept her thick blond hair up on top of her head, leaving a few strands down to frame her face.

  She put time into applying her makeup so it appeared as natural as possible. Then she double-checked her appearance in the mirror. Satisfied, she grabbed her clutch purse and headed out the door.

  When she arrived at the Dumont mansion, it was still relatively early. In fact, the party hadn’t started yet. She might have taken Jasper’s advice to arrive early a little too literally. She could see servants putting the finishing touches on decorations and placing chairs on the tiered patios, and she heard the band warming up on the stage that had been set up for them.

  As she walked through the impressive foyer and out the French doors that led to the backyard, the sounds of the instruments faded away. She didn’t notice the mounds of beautiful flowers or the fact that the sun was setting over the bay in tones of red, orange, pink and yellow. Everything melted away as Jasper, dressed in a tuxedo with black pants, white jacket and black tie, turned from admiring the water to spot her. She froze, her mouth going dry as she inhaled sharply. Damn, he could give Chris Pine, Ryan Reynolds, or any other Hollywood leading man, a run for his money.

  A slow, sinfully sexy smile blossomed over his face, making her fight to keep her knees from going out. Then he walked toward her with that confident gait.

  “Hello, gorgeous,” he said, his gaze raking over her.

  “Hello yourself. Don’t you look dapper.” She had to stop from reaching up and fiddling with his tie. Or better yet, slipping her fingers underneath that crisp white shirt...

  “Apparently, this is the final Dumont soiree of the summer season. I had to break out all the stops. But my tux is nothing compared to this little number.” He wiggled his finger at her dress.

  “Oh, this old thing?” she said coyly as if she wore short sparkly dresses on a daily basis.

  He took another step toward her, his eyes darkening to a deeper shade of blue. He opened his mouth but before he could say whatever was on his mind, Mrs. Dumont darted out of the house. Even in the stunning yellow designer gown, with tasteful diamonds twinkling from her earlobes, Carissa could tell she was agitated.

  “Jasper,” she yelled across the patio in a very un-Lilah-like manner. “Oh, hi, Carissa. Don’t you look lovely. Jasper, have you seen your father?”

  “What’s wrong, Mom?”

  “Our caterer had a family emergency and she had to leave. I have no idea what I am going to do now.”

  “What about Joanna? My parents’ chef,” he explained to Carissa.

  “She’s on maternity leave. I knew we should have hired a backup chef. I told your father. But does he listen to me?”

  “Can you run to the store and get some snacks?”

  Carissa and Mrs. Dumont turned to him at the same time and both shouted, “No!”

  “Go to the store for five hundred people?” Mrs. Dumont said at the same time Carissa said, “That’s completely impractical, Jasper.”

  Mrs. Dumont turned to her. “Exactly. Not to mention that people expect a certain culinary experience when they come here The menu has been set for weeks and the oysters arrived not long ago.”

  Guests were starting to arrive. Carissa noticed a congregation at one of the bars. “That’s horrible,” she said to Mrs. Dumont.

  “I just can’t believe this happened. I always have a plan A, B and C. I guess I’ve gotten lax in my retirement.”

  “I have an idea,” Jasper said. “Why don’t you fill in?” He turned his attention to Carissa.

  Her? Fill in for someone who was no doubt a world-class chef with decades of experience? After all, this was a Dumont event, not some little dinner party she was throwing for friends.

  “Jasp, you’re nuts.”

  “And you’re a caterer,” he countered. Then he leaned in and whispered, “This could be your big chance.”

  “Do you think you could handle it?” Lilah asked, hope filling her eyes.

  Carissa glanced around as even more people streamed onto the terrace. “I’ve never catered an event this big.” She realized that didn’t sound like the best review and quickly amended her statement. “I meant to say, I usually work at much more intimate affairs. I’m not exactly used to an entire kitchen staff.”

  “Mom does have some great people back there though. I’m sure they could help you with any questions or concerns.”

  She bit her lip. Carissa understood what Jasper was saying. Catering an entire Dumont party would go a long way to helping her start her business. Then again, if she messed up, her business was dead on arrival.

  A man around her father’s age, with similar features, walked past them. Carissa thought about her dad. How he always took the easy way out. He would go into business, only to be derailed when the going got tough. Instead of fighting his way through it, he’d bail.

  Sometimes, he wouldn’t even start. If a project seemed like it was going to take up too much time or be too hard, he would pass.

  Even as a teenager, she knew his attitude was all wrong. She knew she never wanted to be like that.

  With renewed determination and a confidence she didn’t quite feel, she lifted her chin. “Mrs. Dumont, I can help.”

  * * *

  It took a lot to impress Jasper, but Carissa had managed to do it.

  He peeked in the kitchen and couldn’t suppress a grin when he found her still wearing that wickedly seductive dress with all that luscious hair piled atop her head. Someone had lent her a pair of sneakers, but even without those tempting strappy heels, her legs still managed to look amazing. Her dress was partially covered by an apron and the steam from the various pots on the stove gave her skin a dewy look.

  Anyone could tell she was in her element. As soon as his mom had let her take a look at the catering menus, she’d gone into a no-nonsense business mode. She’d reviewed the menus, spoken briefly with the staff, washed her hands and immediately dived into work. Before Jasper or his mom could even say thank you, the appetizers had begun to appear.

  He snagged a mushroom bruschetta from the counter now and almost had to close his eyes as the succulent flavor took hold. The woman could cook.

  He reached for another and got his hand smacked for his efforts.

  “Jasper Dumont,” Carissa said, pinning him with a stare. “Those are for the guests.”

  “I’m a guest,” he countered.

  She pointed at the door. “Out!”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He wanted to tell her that her bossiness was turning him on but didn’t think that would go over well with her Gordon Ramsay persona. Instead, he slunk outside, but not before quickly grabbing a carrot stick from one of the crudités platters. He retreated from the kitchen to the sound of Carissa’s swearing.

  The party was in full swing. Like most of his parents’ events, it felt like the entire town had come out. His mother did usually invite everyone. Plus, there were plenty of colleagues, business associates and future business prospects. Jasper worked the party for a while, making small talk and promising follow-up emails and meetings. Then he skirted a table of desserts to
avoid a woman he’d dated for a few weeks and firmly broken up with, but who didn’t want to accept that. He spotted Simone in the crowd but was stopped by Aly, an incredibly intelligent brunette he’d spent an amazing ski weekend with in Aspen last year.

  “Hey, Jasp,” she cooed, happiness radiating out of her pores.

  He tapped the large rock on her ring finger and grinned. “I hear congrats are in order.”

  She beamed. “Sorry you didn’t snap me up when you had the chance?” she teased.

  He put on his best mock-sad face. “I will forever regret it.”

  “I’ll just bet.” She laughed and wagged her finger at him. “I’m telling you, one of these days you’re going to meet a woman who will bring you to your knees.”

  “Doubtful. Now that you’re taken,” he quickly added. He enjoyed hearing her laugh as she walked away to join her fiancé.

  He chatted with his father, making plans for a round of golf in the following week. His dad wasted no time getting into full retirement mode. After seeing his dad work in some regard almost every day of his life, this change in behavior was a shock to Jasper. He had been sure he’d have to drag his father away from the office kicking and screaming. Still, his dad did manage to get in the usual fatherly concerns.

  “Heard about the deal with Morris. Well done.”

  “Thanks, Dad.”

  “Now, remember, you can’t just jump into that project with your usual gusto. Morris requires finessing.”

  “I know, Dad.”

  “You don’t want to make one of your usual mistakes. That’s all I’m saying.”

  Jasper held in a sigh, all of the positive vibes he’d been experiencing quickly draining out of his body. When was he going to be good enough? Even at his age, his dad could make him feel like that second son all over again. The kid that was not meant to take over the company. The one who couldn’t possibly have the ideas and drive to run Dumont Incorporated.

  “What are you doing with the waterfront property on Oak Avenue?” his dad asked.

  Jasper shrugged. “Haven’t decided yet.”

  “You know what I think.”

  Of course he did. His dad, as well as other members of the board, was intent to see him make a deal with the city over a prime piece of real estate. Jasper wasn’t so sure that was a great idea. But this wasn’t the time or place to get into that same old argument.

  “Let’s talk about that next week when we golf.”

  With that, Jasper made his way across the patio and took a moment for himself. He’d always loved his parents’ house and particularly the expansive grounds. The back side of the house faced the bay with an abundance of French doors and windows to allow in the light and the stunning view. A large patio opened to a terrace, which cascaded down into more terraces—a scalloped effect that made for an amazing party setup. Guests could mingle in a variety of areas. Or they could chat around the large swimming pool or take a walk through his mother’s gardens and end up at the tennis courts.

  Naturally, his mother had several bars set up throughout the backyard, even though the drink of choice at a Dumont party tended to be the champagne passed on trays by waiters wearing white gloves. A little much in Jasper’s opinion, but he did love that his mother never changed. She continued to throw these lavish parties with an overabundance of colorful flowers, mountains of food and the occasional fireworks display. In fact, he wondered if there would be one tonight.

  On the main terrace he met up with his mother and brother, who were busy sampling some of Carissa’s appetizers.

  “How’d she do?” he asked his mother, referring to Carissa.

  “I’m impressed. I’m happy. The guests are satisfied. And I want her to make whatever this is every single day for the rest of my life,” Lilah said, acknowledging a cracker with some sort of pâté spread on it. “Thank God she returned to Bayside. I don’t know what we would have done.”

  “I’m sure you would have figured something out,” his brother Cam said around a mouthful of shrimp.

  “Ohmigod, have you tried this?”

  Jasper turned to see Cam’s girlfriend, Elle Owens, and her best friend, Riley Hudson, strolling toward them.

  “That’s what I just said,” his mother agreed.

  Cam immediately snaked his arm around Elle, pulling her close to his side. Jasper was bemused to see big bad Cameron Dumont turn to goo every time little Ellie Owens was in his presence. The way Cam was lovingly watching her now, Jasper had a feeling it wouldn’t be long until Elle was a permanent part of the Dumont family. Personally, he was thrilled at the prospect of a sister-in-law as amazing as Elle.

  “Everyone’s raving about the food,” Riley added.

  They really were, Jasper thought. He’d overheard his mother say that Carissa had mostly stuck to the menu but she did add a few twists of her own. Apparently those twists had everyone’s taste buds singing her praises.

  While Elle, Cam and his mom talked more appetizers, Jasper nodded at Riley. “Hey Ri, how’s it going in the newspaper business?”

  “No complaints. Did you read my latest column?”

  “Would I ever miss a soon-to-be-Pulitzer-Prize-winning article on the importance of taking a proper selfie?” He winked at her and Riley laughed. She currently wrote for the Bayside Bugle in the Style & Entertainment section. Riley kept the town up to date on all the latest fashion trends, celebrity canoodlings, best restaurants in the area and all things related to the Real Housewives.

  He sidled up to her. “I know I’ve asked before...”

  “Jasperrrrr,” she moaned. Elle and Cam tuned in.

  “Come on, tell me. Who’s the Bayside Blogger? I know you know.”

  Riley rolled her eyes. “You know I don’t know. Just because I work at the Bugle does not mean that I know that one closely guarded secret. Only our editor, the workaholic Sawyer Wallace, knows that info. And he’s not budging. Not even after what she wrote about me last week.”

  Elle scrunched up her nose. “That was kind of harsh. Everyone has a bad date from time to time.”

  “Exactly,” Riley said. “There was no need to out me like that. Just because I spilled red wine on the poor guy.”

  “And had toilet paper attached to your shoe after you went to the bathroom,” Cam said, trying to suppress a smile.

  “And got sick in the parking lot,” Jasper added, unable to control his grin.

  “Hey.” Riley poked him in the chest with her index finger. “That was not my fault. And I wasn’t drunk. It was the clams. I’m telling you. Just wait until I have to do a review of that restaurant. Karma’s a bitch.”

  “So is the Bayside Blogger,” Elle put in. “I wish Sawyer was here. We could tie him up and force him to reveal her identity.”

  “Sawyer Wallace is not at my end-of-summer party?” Mrs. Dumont looked quite offended. “He was invited, of course.”

  “He’s working. Finishing up the weekend edition,” Riley explained. “But he said he would be here a little later.”

  Jasper’s mom gave a firm head nod. “Good. After all, Dumont Incorporated does enough advertising to keep that paper afloat.” As she strolled away, Carissa emerged from the house. The apron and sneakers were gone, but she was still flushed from her exertion in the kitchen. When she reached the center of the terrace, people began to clap and his mother engulfed her in a big hug. As they chatted, with his mother clearly imparting her pleasure, Jasper was helpless to do anything but watch Carissa. Okay, maybe blatantly stare was a more apt description.

  “Careful,” Cam whispered in his ear low enough that neither Elle nor Riley could hear.

  “What?” Jasper asked.

  “Come on. If you were ogling her any harder your eyes would pop out.”

  Jasper took a swig of his champagne. “Hey, it’s not my fa
ult that a beautiful woman is standing right over there. Any man not staring at her is either dumb or blind.”

  Cam took a moment to look him over. Jasper almost started squirming under the scrutiny. Finally, Cam said, “You know what I mean. Just be careful.”

  “Careful with what?” Elle asked, sauntering up to them. Her hand found Cam’s, and completely in sync, their fingers intertwined.

  “Please don’t tell me I made the firecracker shrimp too spicy. I really try to find a good balance.” Carissa had appeared next to them.

  Jasper couldn’t help but notice Cam’s smile fade. He did, however, compliment Carissa on her cooking. “It’s all amazing and the shrimp were fantastic.”

  She smiled, an air of relief taking over. “Thanks. But if I had a kitchen like that and a staff of that many sous chefs, trust me, I’d never stop cooking. Good to see you again, Cam. I don’t remember the last time I saw you without a full beard.”

  His brother was one of those kids who’d been able to grow facial hair earlier than most. In both high school and college, he’d donned a whole lumberjack appearance that had intimidated most people. Jasper would have laughed at Carissa’s comment but he saw the way Cam was eyeing her.

  “Welcome back,” Cam said through gritted teeth. “Seems like just yesterday that you broke up with Jasper and left Bayside forever.”

  “Cam,” Elle said in a very low, warning tone. “Welcome home, Carissa. Here you go.” She offered a champagne flute, which Carissa accepted very tentatively. Despite the kind gesture, Jasper did notice a certain standoffishness with Elle, too.

  Interesting, he thought. Carissa, Elle, Riley and he had all been in the same class in high school. He didn’t remember any bad blood between the girls. Nor did he remember Elle and Carissa really being friends, either. Elle had been the smartest person in their class but her chief of police father had been really strict so Elle didn’t tend to show up at the many parties he and Carissa went to. Riley, on the other hand, had been friends with literally everyone. Still was. She proudly held the title of social butterfly of Bayside.