“Very, but it make sense. Those two have really been together a lot longer than most before getting engaged.”
“That’s true.” She looked up as Paul walked out of the kitchen and headed her way. “Thanks again for switching shifts with me.” Emma was planning to cook dinner for Paul, to celebrate his birthday.
“No problem. Cory has the kids this weekend, so I’d just be sitting home alone.” Mandy smiled when Paul reached them. “Happy birthday, Paul.”
“Thanks.” He turned to Emma. “I’ll see you in about an hour.”
Emma wanted to make Paul’s birthday special, as he’d done for hers. She knew she wasn’t anywhere near his level of skill when it came to cooking, but there was one thing she knew how to make really well. Swordfish was also Paul’s favorite fish, so she picked up two center cuts from Trattel’s seafood. When Paul came over, he watched with interest while she worked. She did it the way she’d learned in the restaurant on the Cape many years ago. Richard, the cranky broiler cook that had been there forever, had a magical touch with seafood and he walked her through his method.
Each piece of fish went into its own aluminum pie plate. She spread a thin layer of mayonnaise over the tops of the fish and then a dusting of seasoned breadcrumbs. The last step was to pour a quarter inch of water in the bottom of the pan to keep the fish moist. She slid the pans under the broiler and added a tin foil packet with asparagus she’d tossed with lemon, olive oil, salt and pepper. For a starch, she had another of Paul’s favorites in a saucepan on the stove, jasmine rice cooked in coconut milk.
Paul opened the bottle of pinot noir she’d picked up earlier at Bradford’s Liquors—it was a 2017 Charles Krug and a bit of a splurge, but the cashier raved about it and said it was a staff favorite. When she took her first sip, she had to agree. It was silky smooth and full of flavor. When everything was done, they brought their plates outside and ate on the patio. She and Jill had picked up some pretty deck furniture and when the weather was nice, Jill mostly worked outside and they usually ate there too.
The air was warm and there was a slight breeze. It was a perfect Nantucket night. Paul loved the swordfish.
“I might have to try this as a special. I like the water in the pie pan trick.”
When they finished, Emma cleared the plates and told Paul to stay where he was. She returned with the bottle of wine and a plate of dark chocolate covered strawberries, which she also knew Paul loved. He wasn’t much of a cake person.
She handed him a big gift bag too, with a bright red bow.
“What’s this?” He looked surprised and pleased as he took the bag and peeked inside. He couldn’t see anything though, because it was stuffed with colored tissue paper.
“Open it and see.” Emma topped off their glasses with a bit more wine and settled in her chair to watch him open his first gift. She hoped he liked it. She’d tried to think of something she knew he needed and wanted, but she worried a little that he might think her gift was too practical, not as exciting as a fancy sweater or something.
She knew she’d made the right decision though when he opened the box with the razor-sharp chef’s knife. It was a professional grade and she remembered he’d complained the last time she was at his place that his knives were pitiful and he really should get new ones.
“Em, this is awesome. Thank you.”
“I’m glad you like it. There’s something else in there… keep going.”
He reached in and pulled out a box that held two sauté pans, both a pretty shade of blue-green.
“These look nice, too.”
“Have you heard of them? They’re called Green Pans and I saw them on Instagram. Someone was raving about how awesome they are and they’re non-stick too, so easy to clean.”
Paul smiled. “I love them, thank you.”
He stood and pulled her into his arms for a thank you hug. And then surprised her by lightly touching his lips to hers ever so briefly for a kiss.
“Now don’t freak out. I just wanted to thank you properly. Well, that’s not entirely true. I think you know I want more than that. But I know you’re not ready.”
But Emma had been thinking about her friendship with Paul a lot lately and after speaking with Jill earlier, she realized that maybe she didn’t need to wait any longer. Maybe she and Paul were sort of already there, just not officially dating.
So she surprised him by leaning in and kissing him back.
“Maybe it’s been long enough,” she said.