Chapter 7 - No One’s MaidDating Carmine Orsini was inconvenient.
Restaurants became quiet when he entered.
People stared.
Nell hated that.
So their second date was at a food truck.
Third at a bookstore café.
Fourth in the bakery after closing.
Carmine preferred the bakery.
No one feared him there.
Except the mixer.
He broke it once.
Nell banned him from touching equipment.
“You command men with guns.”
“Yes.”
“You cannot operate a stand mixer.”
“Apparently not.”
“Humbling.”
“Cruel.”
They learned each other.
Carmine liked jazz.
Nell hated oysters.
Nell read murder mysteries.
Carmine found that ironic.
He slept poorly.
She baked when anxious.
He never entered her kitchen without asking.
That mattered.
Then one evening, Nell asked:
“Do you regret investigating me?”
Carmine thought.
“Yes.”
She blinked.
“Really?”
“I should have asked.”
“You would’ve gotten nothing.”
“I know.”
“Then?”
“I still should have asked.”
Nell smiled faintly.
“You've changed.”
“I hope so.”
“Don't become sentimental.”
“Terrifying.”
Then he asked:
“Do you regret coming back to the house?”
“No.”
“Why?”
She looked at him.
“Because I met your grandmother.”
He stared.
Nell laughed.
“Also because of you.”
“Better.”
Months later, Carmine brought her to an Orsini dinner.
Same table.
Same chandeliers.
Different seating.
Nell sat beside him.
Odette brought dessert.
Pecan pie.
Palmira smiled.
Carmine looked around the table.
“Who made this?”
Nell raised an eyebrow.
The new pastry chef said:
“I did, sir.”
Carmine tasted it.
Then looked at Nell.
She tried not to smile.
“Well?” Palmira asked.
Carmine sighed.
“Too sweet.”
Everyone laughed.
After dinner, one guest approached Nell.
“So you were Carmine’s maid?”
Nell smiled.
“No.”
The woman looked confused.
“I worked in his house.”
“Same thing.”
Nell’s smile disappeared.
“No.”
Carmine heard.
He stepped closer.
But Nell didn’t need him.
She continued:
“I was a baker working in housekeeping because someone stole my business and reputation.”
The guest went pale.
Nell smiled again.
“Now I own my bakery.”
Carmine looked at her with quiet pride.
Not rescue.
May you like
Recognition.
Exactly what she had wanted.
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