Chapter 14
“Let me teach you. This is top–shelf caviar; you eat it with blini.”
Elise had barely finished before Ally nudged her. “Maybe start with what caviar actually is. Who knows, Jennifer might have never even heard of it.”
Jennifer ignored them. Then, Catalina stepped in, blocking her path.
“Oh, come on, Elise, Ally. Jennifer’s not some dinosaur. Of course, she knows what caviar is.” Catalina smiled, scooped some onto a blini, and held it out to Jennifer.
“I bet this is your first time trying it. Blame Brayan. He never takes you anywhere.”
Elise and Ally jumped in. “Or maybe it’s because she doesn’t make a good plus–one. Mr. LeBlanc used to take you everywhere. Now look at him. Poor guy ended up with someone who probably barely scraped through high school.”
“Seriously, a guy with a PhD stuck with a housewife like that. I wouldn’t even have the guts to show up if I were her.”
Jennifer listened, half–smiling.
“Ms. Colbert, since you know so much about fine dining, I’m sure you’re aware the thing you just scooped is white sturgeon. It‘ neant to be enjoyed on its own or with champagne,” Jennifer said.
Catalina’s smile faltered.
Jennifer continued, “This one is Osetra caviar. It’s supposed to be
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served with blini.”
She picked up a blini and started assembling. A thin slice of smoked salmon, a spoonful of Osetra caviar, and a little creme fraiche. Then she handed it to Catalina.
“Here, this is how you serve it properly.”
Catalina glanced between her messy serving and Jennifer’s polished one, her face going a little pale.
“Oh, please, who even knows if that’s true?” Ally chimed in, backing Catalina up.
“Even if it is, so what? Just means you spend too much time in the kitchen. Not exactly something to brag about,” Elise added.
Jennifer set her piece onto a plate, her tone cool. “Yeah, I just know more than you.”
With that, she turned and walked away. Just then, Brayan came back to Catalina’s side.
“You okay? You don’t look great. Feeling sick?” he asked. Catalina shook her head, her eyes still on the caviar.
“You want some?” Brayan grabbed a plate and started putting one together for her. He did it exactly the same way Jennifer had.
Nearby, a guest hesitated/at the buffet. “So many kinds of cavi. What’s the difference?”
Catalina snapped out of her daze and smoothly repeated Jennifer’s explanation.
The guest looked impressed. “Wow, you really know your stuff, especially for someone so young.”
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“I learned it from my boyfriend,” Catalina replied with a modest smile
Noticing that her arm was linked with Brayan’s, the guest said, “You two look amazing together! He’s smart and you’re stunning.”
Brayan glanced at Catalina with a small smile. “It works both ways.”
The guest hesitated, then chuckled. “Oh, I get it. You mean she’s both smart and stunning. You’re good at this!”
Elise and Ally laughed, agreeing. Catalina looked down with a shy smile, looking like the happiest woman alive.
Not far away, Jennifer noticed Catalina had copied her words, but she let it go.
Brayan wouldn’t look at her any differently even if she spoke up.
Jennifer felt torn. She had already made up her mind about divorce. Even if Brayan changed overnight, it wouldn’t make a difference.
But she just couldn’t shake the anger and hurt.
“Why am I the only one holding onto our promises? The only one drowning in memories?
“I gave everything to this marriage. Why does it never stand a chance against his first love?” she muttered to herself.
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