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Silence. Awkward silence.
“You rushed off pretty quickly last night.”
Luckily, he saved her from having to embarrass herself. Again.
“Is everything all right?” The seductive tone to his voice had softened.
“Yes, just a little family emergency.” She needed to get her high-pitched squeal under control. It couldn’t be attract
ive. She cleared her throat and hoped he wasn’t looking for a better explanation. “Nothing I couldn’t handle.”
She hoped he wasn’t going to bring up the possibility of them recreating what they had started in that limo. Well, she did. She wanted to cross her arms out in front of her, nod her head, and blink to turn back time. But that was just a one-night thing. Never to be repeated. And now that she had agreed to work for him, sex would be highly inappropriate.
He cleared his throat. “I should probably give you the address.”
“Um…” She looked around. There was no way she was equipped to write down anything at this moment. “Do you think you could e-mail me the information? I sort of don’t have access to a pen and…”
“Oh. Right.” He chuckled. “I could always come over and write it down for you. Did you know that I can write the alphabet with my—”
“How’s Monday at five o’clock?” This conversation needed to end before she died of embarrassment. Was it too late to take back her acceptance of the offer?
He laughed, no doubt at her. “Five is perfect. I’ll have Penn send you the details. Thanks, Sterling.”
“Bye, Jack.”
She pressed the end button on her BlackBerry and placed it back on the toilet seat.
Working for the Madewood family. One of the most prominent families in the city. She’d hit the big time.
Except that being privy to the Madewood family heirlooms would only make her envious. What would her life be like if she hadn’t had to support and bail out her parents at every turn? She was perpetually on hold, stagnant, never moving forward, always lagging behind.
But this surprise offer. This unexpected opportunity. Unexpected and surprising were her two least favorite words. The very things she had tried to avoid her entire life were now responsible for her sudden rush of good luck. All right, Jack Vaughn wasn’t so much good luck—more like right place, right time—and maybe this job offer was, too. And she didn’t intend to question either one.
Chapter Five
“I come bearing gifts.” Jack wheeled the wire cart around the corner into the kitchen of Bistro.
Cole lifted his eyes, but not his head, as he stared from across the room. “Did you bring me string beans? I need the string beans.”
Jack shook his head, a smile curving his lips. And people thought Neil was the grumpy one in the morning. “Yes, they’re in here.”
Cole’s kitchen was clinical, all white and stainless steel, with the exception of the large wood-topped island in the middle of the room. His brand-new menu knocked the socks off the city’s crankiest of food critics. And he prepped for that menu while chopping celery at the wooden block.
“Why are you so happy this morning?” Cole asked.
Jack stopped the cart beside him. “It’s a beautiful morning. Isn’t that reason enough for me to be happy?”
Cole gave him a curious look. He didn’t care what Cole might think—he felt good, damn it. And he had a feeling it had everything to do with the beautiful woman he’d met last night.
“I brought you every ripe vegetable I could find this morning. And…” He pulled one of two stainless steel pots out of the cart. “I have two different soups you can offer today.”
“Soup?” Cole finally stopped what he was doing enough to pay attention. “When did you make soup?”
“This morning. I felt inspired.” Not to mention sexually frustrated. For the first time in a long time, he’d whacked off to ease the tension. The image of Sterling spread open for him in that limo? A sight he wouldn’t soon forget. Then she’d kicked up his fantasy to a ridiculous level when she disclosed that she was naked in the bathtub while talking to him on the phone. He was still patting himself on the back for his brilliant decision to hire her. She was soon going to be in very close proximity to continue exactly what they’d started.
Cole put down his knife and grabbed a spoon out of the cylindrical holder. He removed the Saran Wrap and dipped it inside, scooping up a mouthful.
Before he tasted, Jack said, “Potato and asparagus. It should still be warm.”
