Stories of the heart, p.26
Stories of the Heart,
p.26
Marché hired Amber. The words repeated in her brain like a chant. Marché hired Amber. Marché hired Amber. This was just as big a tribute as winning the contest. A well-known pastry chef from Paris wanted her sister to work with him. How could Lexi say no?
“Oh my gosh! I’m so proud of you. I don’t know what to say.” Lexi put both arms around Amber and hugged her tight. “You’re amazing.”
Her sister really was special. She didn’t see the world the same way Lexi did, but she had enough confidence in herself to pursue what she wanted.
She had found a way to prepare for next year’s algebra course without going to summer school. How could Lexi deny Amber this opportunity?
“Joey said he would like to work full-time at City Seeds,” Amber said as she implored Lexi with pleading eyes. “I’ll pay him out of what I make.”
“I’m a little concerned about your health,” Lexi said gently. “Being at a restaurant like Marché is going to be a major temptation.”
“No, it’s not. Monsieur Broussard tastes every dessert himself. He doesn’t trust anyone else’s opinion. He told me so.”
“Okay. What about the other food? Marché is known for its cuisine.”
“I swear I won’t eat anything I shouldn’t. I’m only there for four hours a day. That’s barely time enough to do my own work.”
Lexi didn’t take a second to think it over. “Okay, but if you develop health issues or don’t study, I’m going to insist that you quit.”
Amber stood up. “I’m going to start on the CDs right after I take my blood sugar.”
“Then let’s eat,” Lexi told her.
“I had to eat earlier,” Amber said. “You were late and I was starving.” Amber kissed her cheek. It was the first time her sister had kissed her in… Lexi couldn’t recall how long it had been. Seemed like a year.
Lexi waited until Amber left the room to pick up the telephone and call Brad. It was a weeknight and in the middle of the dinner hour. He would have his cell phone off, so she could leave a message without having to talk to him personally.
She didn’t want Brad to hear about Amber’s job and think Lexi had sent her sister to the competition. Even though Houston was a large city, the restaurant community was tight-knit.
The phone rang twice and Brad answered, taking Lexi by surprise. “Westcott.”
“Brad? It’s Lexi Morrison.”
“The Lexi Morrison?” he teased.
“Yes. Sorry to call you in the middle of rush hour.”
“S’okay. I’m in my office watching the lion’s den. I was about to call you.”
“Really?” Lexi was stunned; it was the last thing she expected.
“Have you eaten? How would you like to catch a late dinner?”
“No, I haven’t eaten,” she managed to mumble. “I’d like that.” She could wait until they were together to tell him about Amber’s job.
The waiter at the Mexican restaurant Brad had chosen strolled up to them, ready to take their order.
“I’ll have a Texas Tornado,” Brad told him. “What about you? Want to try the drink that won first prize in the mixology contest, or would a traditional margarita be better?”
“I’ll try the Tornado,” she told the waiter, and he left to fill their order.
“Was your bar—mixologist disappointed he didn’t win?”
“Probably, but he was a good sport, the way Amber was.”
This was her opening, Lexi realized. “Speaking of Amber, she’s the reason I called you.”
“Really?” His blue eyes narrowed speculatively. “Changed your mind about letting her take a summer job at Black Jack’s?”
“Not exactly. She got a part-time job on her own. At Marché with Monsieur Broussard.”
“You’re kidding.” He started to laugh. “How’d that happen?”
Thankful he had taken the news so well, Lexi smiled and explained as their drinks arrived. “I assumed Rick hadn’t voted for Amber, but apparently he had.”
“Good for her,” Brad said with sincerity, and raised his glass for a toast. “Next summer I’ll try to hire her away from Fullerton.”
Lexi clinked her glass against Brad’s. “What’s in this?”
“Reposado tequila, fresh lime juice and cherry liqueur. Whipped egg whites make the foam on top. Remember, I told you how popular frothy topping has become.”
“Right.” Lexi took a sip. “It’s good, but knowing there’s tequila in it makes me cautious. It’s deadly.”
Brad reached over and put his large, warm hand on hers. Her whole body tingled at his touch. “How’ve you been?”
She started to say she was fine, but decided to tell him how she really felt. “Like I told you before, I’m not enjoying working at a big firm as much as I thought I would. I just sit at a desk in a cube farm, punching numbers.”
“What are you going to do about it?” Brad asked, concern underscoring each word.
“In order to become a CPA, I have to pass the exam and work under a licensed accountant for two years. I’m going to send my résumé around to some smaller firms and see what happens.”
Brad leaned closer and gazed directly into her eyes. “Don’t sell yourself short. Make sure your résumé includes City Seeds as well as your payroll work at the upholstery shop. You’ll find another job.”
His confidence was as contagious as his smile. “What about you? How are things going at Black Jack’s? How’s Charmayne’s apprentice doing?”
“He’s great. Charmayne really likes him.” Brad took another swig of his Tornado. “And the sous-chef is really working out well. Tonight Alice is in charge of the show at Black Jack’s.”
“Really?” Lexi was more than a little surprised. Brad had said he didn’t like relinquishing his position as executive chef.
“Yes.” His features became more animated. “I want to have a life that I can enjoy beyond the restaurant business. I had to figure out how to make it work for me.” He slipped his arm around her. “I need to make time to see more of you.”
She inhaled sharply at his words. “You do? I—I mean, I want to see more of you. I don’t like spending all day punching numbers.”
“When you know what you want, it’s worth the risk to go after it,” Brad said.
“Yes,” she agreed. “Having a life you enjoy is worth the risk. Amber’s going after what she wants.”
“I wasn’t referring to Amber’s plans. I’m talking about us as a couple. I don’t want to sacrifice having you in my life just to have a successful restaurant.”
This man was special, Lexi realized. He meant more to her than she had wanted to admit. Now was the time to acknowledge how she felt.
He leaned closer, halting a scant inch from her lips. “Am I part of your plans?”
“Of course. I—”
His mouth cut off her response as his lips covered hers and he pulled her flush against his chest.
Lexi could hardly believe this was happening.
Brad pulled back, whispering, “I want us to be together. You come first—before the restaurant, before everything else.”
Lexi smiled. “I have no idea what it’s like to come first in anyone’s life, but I’m sure willing to give it a try.”
* * * * *
ISBN: 9781459222953
Copyright © 2012 by Harlequin Books S.A.
Debbie Macomber is acknowledged as the author of What Amanda Wants
Brenda Novak is acknowledged as the author of Small Packages
Meryl Sawyer is acknowledged as the author of Worth the Risk
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Debbie Macomber, Stories of the Heart
