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“Never been there.”
She pretended a mock swoon with a dramatic hand to the forehead. “You haven’t lived in Melbourne before, have you?”
He shook his head.
“Moretti’sis an institution. Come on, you have to try it. You’ll thank me.”
She stood and smoothed her jacket, her eagerness to get to the fabulous café having as much to do with clearing the air with Aidan in a guaranteed crowded public place as consuming the mouth-watering delicacies the place was famous for.
“You’re the most exasperating woman I’ve ever met.” He pushed off the desk with a resigned sigh, grabbed his cell and slipped it into his pocket before sending her a ‘this better be good’ glare.
“In that case, you need a great piece of cake. Quality cake is balm to a weary soul like yours.”
“You’re crazy.” He shook his head while shrugging into his jacket, but she glimpsed the corners of his mouth curving into a fleeting smile.
She knew getting out of here wouldn’t convince him to give her another chance but it was a start. And if she had to grovel, she’d rather do it while eating a delicious piece of cake.
* * *
“Okay, I’ll admit it.”Aidan’s tongue flicked out to capture a stray cake crumb from his bottom lip. “You were right.”
That one innocuous flick of his tongue derailed her temporarily and she struggled to tear her gaze away from his perfect mouth. If she wanted to jump him at the museum, it had nothing on her impulse outside of it, so maybe suggesting a visit toMoretti’shadn’t been such a great idea after all.
She cleared her throat. “Told you so. Always trust a woman when it comes to good cake.” Beth grinned before taking a bite out of a gigantic chocolate croissant, the flaky pastry melting on her tongue alongside the creamy custard filling. “So, is your soul soothed yet?”
Waving his fork at her, Aidan sent her a glare with all the force of a giant pussycat. “Only getting rid of you will do that, so start talking.”
“Don’t you want to finish your white chocolate mud cake first? What I have to tell you might give you indigestion.”
“You’ve already done that,” he muttered, his disapproval softening as he forked the last piece of cake from his plate into his mouth.
She knew nobody could stay mad for long while savoring aMoretti’sdelight. Maybe she should order him the entire mouth-watering display in the front counter considering what she was about to divulge.
After laying down his fork and pushing his empty cappuccino cup away, he folded his arms. “Now would be a good time to start telling me why you brought me here and what was so important you couldn’t say it in my office.”
She stuffed the last of the croissant into her mouth to buy time, and held up a finger to ask for a minute.She was pushing her luck. But what the heck, he’d already fired her.
Which is exactly why she was here, to butter him up to take her back—or at the very least, beg.
Savoring the last silky slide of chocolate custard down her throat, she washed it down with a sip of latte before leaning back in her chair and trying her best beguiling smile.
“First up, I want you to promise that you’ll hear me out.”
A fine line appeared between his brows as he leaned forward, his face mere inches from hers. “You’re in no position to make demands so cut to the chase.”
She didn’t move, momentarily captivated by the warmth of his breath fanning her cheek and the hint of coffee on his breath, knowing if she broached the short distance between them and laid her lips on his, he’d taste like the sweetest decadent white chocolate.
“Beth…” His warning growl roused her and she blinked, pulling away before she followed through on yet another insane impulse to kiss him.
Clasping her hands in her lap and schooling her face into a meek mask, or the closest she could manage to it, she said, “I’m desperate. Your father hired Lana Walker because she’s the best in the business. My cousin is talented, dedicated, and one hundred percent committed to being the best curator the museum has ever seen.”
His frown deepened. “And?”
“I can’t mess this up for her. If I get fired, it’s going to reflect badly on her.”
“I’ll make sure that doesn’t happen.” Shaking his head, he reached for his coffee before realizing it was empty. “Is that all you wanted to say?”
She dragged in a gulp of air, her lungs flooding with his sexy spicy blackcurrant scent mingled with aromatic coffee, and she knew it was now or never. She had nothing to lose. She’d already lost her job, what was a little pride chaser?
