Taste of Love (11 page)

"It's easy to be nice to you," he said.

"Thank you for coming tonight and taking my mind off everything. It means more to me than you could imagine."

Cameron met her eyes. "It meant a lot to me too. I know that I wasn't exactly on board the whole time that you were pregnant, but in my own way, I was beginning to like the idea of being a father."

Madison's eyes began to water at Cameron's admission. He took her chin in his hands. "You're going to get through this. We're going to get through this, together. I am truly sorry for being such a dick before."

She shook her head. "You must hate me. It's my fault," she said, before the waterworks came on full force. "I should have been happier about the baby. I should have slowed down at work. It's my fault that I lost our baby."

Cameron shook his head vehemently and made her look up at him. "No!" he insisted. "It's not your fault in any way. The doctor said that these things happen, and you did nothing wrong. You've got to stop thinking that way. Do you hear me?"

Madison looked up at him.

"I don't blame you," he said with such certainty that there was no choice but to believe him. "I would never, ever blame you."

Seeing that he wasn't lying, and that he didn't blame her, she felt a little weight lifted off her shoulders. "I'm so sorry."

"I know." He pulled her close to him and wrapped his arms around her. He rocked her body with his as the tears kept coming. "I'm sorry too."

The shrill ringing of the phone woke them both from their slumber a few hours later. They both looked at each other and jumped apart as if they'd been pricked. Madison picked up the phone that was next to her bed, and Cameron stood and began collecting the movies that he had brought over.

"Oh, hi, Austin. No, it's alright, we'd...I'd just fallen asleep." After listening to the earpiece for a moment, her face grew rigid. "Yes, he's still here. He came over to help me through a difficult night, not that it's any of your business."

Cameron looked back at her and raised an eyebrow. She rolled her eyes. She listened for a moment, then sighed. "I'm not going to fight with you about this. If I want Cameron here, then he'll be here. End of subject." She rubbed her forehead. "How did business go tonight?"

After Cameron had gathered his things, he motioned to her that he was leaving. Madison held up her hand, stopping him, and told Austin to hold on for a moment. She covered the phone with her hand. "You're leaving?"

"Yeah, I have an early interview in the morning. Besides, I don't want to overstay my welcome. I remember what happened the last time." They smiled at each other. "I'll give you a call, though."

She put the phone down and crawled out of bed, then shyly walked over to him and put her hand on his cheek. She looked into his eyes before kissing him on the cheek. "Thank you, for everything tonight."

Cameron pulled her in for a tight hug, better than any other hug she had ever received. "My pleasure."

He kissed the top of her head before letting her go. Only when she heard the door to the apartment close did she go back and pick up the phone again.

A few days later, Madison felt better after the D&C, and she was ready to get back to work. She was tired of laying around in bed with nothing to do but think about her disappointment.

As she approached her restaurant, she was surprised to see none of her workers milling around in front, waiting for her to open the doors. She was sure that she had told Austin that she'd be back today.

The front door was still locked when she pulled on it, making her wonder if everyone was late. She dug her keys out, then opened the door, muttering to herself about slackers as she turned on the lights. To her surprise, her staff jumped out, laughing and cheering at her shocked expression. A big banner hung behind them, 'Welcome Back Boss' painted with chocolate syrup, made her smile.

"I knew you guys wouldn't let me down while I was gone."

"Not a chance boss. Austin kept us all in line," one of the waiters yelled, sparking even more cheers.

Madison looked around, past all the smiling faces coming to hug her. She took in the ambiance of her restaurant; the cream-colored walls with Tiger Lily orange trimmed wainscot, the Tiger Lily orange tablecloths, with brown cloth napkins, and the fresh Tiger Lily bouquet centerpieces at every table. Everything within these walls made her smile. This was where she needed to be; with her staff, with her customers, inside her restaurant - her source of inspiration and happiness. She could feel her zest for life returning.

M
adison scanned the packed dining room as she made her way out of the kitchen to greet her customers. She sure had a full house, and what pleased her the most was that most of the faces were new to her. Most, except one very familiar table. Before she could turn around and seek refuge in the kitchen, she was spotted and waved over.

"Good evening, ladies. How is everyone tonight?" Madison donned a smile.

"We're doing well, but what about you? We heard you've been under the weather. Are you feeling better now?" Sasha asked, offering her the vacant seat next to her with the wave of her hand.

"I'm doing better. It's a slow recovery, but I'll live," she joked.

"What was wrong dear, anything major?" Bunny asked.

She doesn't know,
Madison thought.
What should I tell her?

"Oh Bunny, that's really none of our business," Sasha chided her friend.

Madison looked relieved. "Let's just call it girl problems and leave it at that."

"Well, I am so glad you're back. And perfect timing too," Sasha said, searching through her purse. She pulled out a small black envelope and handed it to Madison.

"What's this?" Madison asked, opening the envelope as she spoke. Inside was a black card with the words 'Your Presence is Requested' inscribed with gold lettering. She opened the card to find details regarding a charity ball that Sasha was hosting at her home that weekend.

"It's our annual Gold and Black Ball. When my husband was alive, he started a foundation to help rescue dogs from puppy mills and the abuse and mistreatment that they received. God rest his soul, he truly believed in 'Man's Best Friend', and he did all he could to save them." She wiped a tear from her eye.

"You really must come. I'm afraid I can't take no for an answer," she said with a warm smile.

"I'm honored that you would think to invite me, but I can't leave the restaurant again, so soon after being sick," Madison tried to protest.

Bunny pulled a silver envelope out of her purse and sat it in front of Madison. "That's an invitation to my ball the week after. Our foundation benefits orphaned children to give them a better life, and puts them through college. I won't take no for an answer either. Besides, we've already talked to Austin, and he assured us that he would take good care of the restaurant in your absence."

"Wow." Madison was overwhelmed. "I'm not really sure that I can afford this," she told them honestly, thinking of the monetary donations she's have to make, as well as the cost of two different formal dresses. And besides that, she would have medical bills after the misfortunes of the past week.

"That's simple. All I ask is that your restaurant donates some of those wonderful Lobster Dainties appetizers, enough to feed 150 people," Sasha told her.

"And I would like some of those Shrimp Bruschetta Rounds, for the same number of people," Bunny added. "We've both hired caterers, but we've told many of our friends how wonderful your restaurant is, so you can network, as well as have a little fun that night. And, my seamstress will be waiting for you tomorrow morning. She has promised to give you a great deal on your dresses."

Bunny handed her a business card, again from her purse.

"Well, you've made it virtually impossible to say no." Madison raised her eyebrows and took a deep breath. "I guess the answer's yes, then."

Both Bunny and Sasha clapped their hands. After Madison thanked them again and excused herself from the ladies, they high-fived each other.

"Bet is on," Sasha told her friend.

"You know, you should just give it up. She's already got her eye on Cameron," Bunny told her with all the confidence in the world.

"Not a chance. The minute she sees my Thomas, she's going to go weak in the knees and melt like cheese," Sasha bragged, as she bit into a chunk of cheddar.

"We'll see," Bunny promised, not mentioning that Madison and Cameron already knew each other. She wasn't sure if they were friends or not, but she felt there was something going on.

"I can't believe I'm doing this," Madison told Chase as she got ready for her first ball. "I mean, look at this dress. I could never have afforded this if it wasn't for Bunny. Her seamstress was amazing. She knew exactly what to do to make me look good."

"Girl, you look hot. That's enough to turn a gay man straight." He wagged his eyebrows as he took in her dress, while she turned in a circle for him. The dress was long and flowing, but hugged every curve of Madison's body. The color was such a deep shade of purple that it looked almost black, and it sparkled in just the right places.

Madison laughed. "This is so unreal. I feel like such a princess."

"You look like one too," he told her. "I'm going to go down and hail you a cab, so that you don't have to stand on the street like that. I don't want some strange Prince snatching you up as their prize."

She laughed again as Chase kissed her cheek before leaving. She took a final look in the mirror, running her hands over the dress, making sure that it was all real. Two minutes later, she heard a knock at her door and nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Who is it?"

"Thomas Winters. My mother, Sasha Winters, sent me over to pick you up," the voice on the other side of the door called.

Madison looked confused and rushed to the door to open it. A gorgeous man stood tall and proud before her. She looked him up and down with wide eyes.

"Hi. I wasn't told you'd be coming."

"She said she wanted to make sure you got to the house okay," he told her. Then, with a million watt smile, he confided, "But I think she has an ulterior motive."

Madison grinned. "That I can believe." She held out her hand. "I'm Madison Drew. Nice to meet you."

Thomas took her hand and kissed it. "Nice to meet you too. I'm glad I can finally put a face to the name I've heard so much about."

"Likewise," she told him, looking into his crystal blue eyes. She had to admit, Sasha was right, he was very handsome.

"Well," Thomas snapped her out of her stupor. "We should probably get going. Don't want to upset Mother by being late."

"Right." Madison gave a small nod. She grabbed her small handbag off the coffee table. "Let's go."

All was quiet as they made their way outside, until Madison saw Chase standing in the middle of the street with his hand in the air.

"TAXI!" He shouted at one that passed by him, never slowing. "Stupid son of a bitch," he muttered, flipping the driver off.

Madison burst into laughter. Thomas did, too. "What in the world?"

Another one came by.