She looked from Alex’s worried face to James’s apprehensive expression. “I’m on board. All the way, gentlemen.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
MADDIE HADN’T KNOWN it was possible to eat and drink and talk that much and still feel completely energized. She couldn’t say whether it was the gourmet Italian food, the heady French wine or the realization that her dream, times six, was coming to fruition, but she felt as if she could have stayed awake all night long. Granted, she was having to make a lot of compromises, but in the end, her franchises were actually going to happen.
After dinner, she and Alex bid James good-night. Alex paid the bill, and she watched as he laid down six one hundred dollar bills as if a dinner such as this was a matter of course. He then walked her down the stairs to the street, where the hired car was waiting.
Alex smiled at her. “I know James can be a handful. He barely lets anyone talk at all, but Maddie, you have to be so...” He grabbed her arms and nearly hopped up and down. “Elated!”
“I’m not sure about everything that happened. But yes. I am. It went well, right?”
Alex frowned. “It was fantastic. I think he’ll eventually do all six cafés. I think his idea of going into the city and not the suburbs is brilliant.”
“You do? I thought you didn’t like it.”
“Look. I hired your driver for the whole night. Let’s grab a nightcap and then I can explain a few more things. How’s that sound?”
“I’d like that,” she said.
“Take us to the Drake, Edmond,” Alex told the driver as they climbed into the backseat.
They drove up Lake Shore Drive so that Maddie could take in the water and stunning buildings at night. Alex talked about how much he loved the city and pointed out his apartment, which was in a very old complex clustered among several other old and newer buildings, each one more impressive than the last.
“Have you lived here long?” Maddie asked.
“All my life,” Alex replied. “I grew up in that very same building. My parents still live there, except for the winters when they go to Florida. They have a condo in Naples.”
“What does your father do? And your mother?” she asked.
“Dad is an investment banker. He makes money. Lots of it. Mother is on the board of several charities in town. I swear, she’s busier than he is. I always feel I need to make an appointment just to call them.” He paused. “Now that I think about it, I do just that.” He laughed.
“I think it’s wonderful that your mother’s so involved. If it weren’t for people like her, always giving of themselves, so many services and institutions just wouldn’t exist. I hope when I get older and things slow down for me somewhat, I can do more of that kind of thing.”
“Is that on your bucket list?” he asked.
“It’s certainly on my to-do list. That way I know I’ll get it done.”
“Ah, here we are,” Alex said as the driver pulled up to the Drake Hotel.
They walked into the spacious blue-and-gold reception area. “The bar is this way,” Alex said and steered Maddie through an entryway marked Coq d’Or.
The bar was more than half filled with couples and businesspeople, so they were seated at a small table for two. The room was cozy and dark and decorated in wood and red leather captain’s chairs. Alex explained that the bar was opened on December 6, 1933, the day Prohibition was repealed, and it had been a real Chicago landmark ever since. He ordered a Courvoisier cognac for himself and Maddie ordered a cup of herbal tea.
“I’m not much of drinker,” Maddie said unapologetically.
“It’s an acquired taste, the cognac.”
She shrugged, admiring the decor. “Guess I’ve never had the time for this kind of life.”
Alex laid his hand over hers. “I think you did just fine working toward your first million. You have all the rest of your life to enjoy the fruits of your labors.”
She looked down at his hand and was surprised that it didn’t feel inappropriate. It probably should have. This was a business dinner, after all.
Wasn’t it?
Alex removed his hand slowly, as if it was the last thing he wanted to do. Or was it that he hadn’t realized he’d put it there? Hadn’t he meant to touch her? Was it just a natural gesture for him, something he’d done with dozens of clients, consoling and assuring them? The gesture was certainly part of his charm, which was considerable.
He’s so different from Nate, and yet he’s not....
Nate held people’s physical lives in his hands. Alex was responsible for their financial well-being. Both men were earnest, intelligent, committed and handsome.
And suddenly I have two potential romances in my life. Or do I?
As far as Maddie could tell, Nate only intended to stick around for the year of his contract. Then he would leave.
Just like before.
“So, tell me, Maddie, what do you want to do with your life?”
“As in...”
His smile was impish and his eyes gleamed as if he’d just discovered a marvelous secret. “I have this theory that we all come to this earth with an agenda. A list of hopes and wishes and dreams, if you will. Some of us tromp right out there and start accomplishing things practically in grade school. Those people become gymnastics stars and cut records before they’re through puberty. Others work their butts off all their lives and don’t get a shot at their golden rings until they reach retirement. Or older,” he said, arching a brow. “Like Colonel Sanders. Then there are wunderkinds like you. This new breed of young geniuses who transform the internet while they’re in college—they boggle the mind. Or these kids who invent some new electronic game at the age of fourteen.”
He leaned closer, so that his eyes delved right into hers, capturing her attention and making her believe that for him, in this moment, she was the only woman in the world.
“That’s what I admire in you, Maddie. You were able to take a common ordinary thing like a cupcake and see it in a whole new way. You expanded its dimension and possibilities. You took it to a whole new level, which no one had done in a retail situation.”
“You,” she said, swallowing carefully, “admire me?”
“Yes, I do.”
He peered into her eyes, holding her captive, allowing her entry to his thoughts, even his heart. Maddie was stunned.
And pleased.
She felt her smile growing until her face beamed with a radiance that warmed her cheeks. “You know, I love my little town, and my dear friends are irreplaceable. But there’s a flip side that a lot of people don’t see or want to acknowledge.”
“Which is...”
“Jealousy. If someone is different, or odd, or eccentric—and believe me, that’s almost a requisite in my town—too many times they are ostracized and no one will befriend them or help them. So many people are afraid of not being ‘normal,’ when the truth is there is no such thing as ‘normal.’ When I was young and being raised by a single mother, most of the kids in school treated me like a pariah. Except for Sarah, Liz, Isabelle and a few others. They were different then, and they still are. They weren’t afraid to be seen with me. Now I can see that we’re all creative and energetic. Or maybe it’s just that we’re not afraid to try new things.”
“I believe that’s called courage.”
“Possibly,” she said, lowering her gaze to her tea. “We support each other a great deal. As I told you, one of my best friends is eighty years old.”
“Yes, you did,” he said.
“Well, now that I think about what you said, about respecting me and all, I realize my friends respect me, too.”
“I should think so. You’re so warm and approachable. I mean, I’ve never met a woman like you.”
“How’s that?”
Alex sniggered to himself, looked at her askance and said, “Ma
ddie, you’re so bright, and though you have your own ideas, you aren’t put off by other peoples’ opinions. You handled James remarkably well, and that takes understanding, patience and genuine concern for other people. Likeable. That’s what you are. When I see you I just want to...hug you!”
She glanced down shyly at her tea, then her eyes flew to his face. “Would that be a quick hug or a really good long hug?”
His jocular expression melted off his face and was replaced with a solemn gaze. “A long hug. A really long hug. One that would last about, uh, I dunno, between an hour and all night long.”
“All night long?” She toyed with him. She didn’t care if he knew she was playing with him. She was having fun. And it felt really good. “That’s sounds serious.”
“Not as serious as it could get,” he said, leaning across the table, his expensive silk tie ends brushing across the wood, and he moved toward her.
Maddie met him more than halfway and pressed her lips next to his. His lips were soft and strong all at the same time. He tasted like burned sugar and she could only guess that was the cognac that still ringed his lips. And like the brandy, his kiss was intoxicating. She felt as if her mind had been vacuumed out of her skull and in this void were only lightning synapses that exploded like fireworks igniting her responses, both voluntary and involuntary. She’d been gripping the arms of her chair, digging her fingernails into the leather, but after several thunder bursts in her head, her hands reached for his nape as if they had a mind of their own.
His neck was warm, even hot to the touch, and she wondered if she had created this in him. Or was it just his normal reaction whenever he kissed anyone?
And who knew how many women a man like Alex had kissed in his lifetime? She’d seen the smorgasbord of gorgeous women at the restaurant that night and as far as she was concerned, she hadn’t the slightest idea why Alex would want to be kissing her and not one of those tall, fashionably dressed dreamgirls instead.
When Alex pulled away from the kiss, Maddie’s eyes were still closed. She was still trapped in the magical moment and hadn’t come back down to earth yet.
“Maddie.”
She thought she heard Alex say her name but wasn’t sure.
“I’m sorry, Maddie,” he clearly said.
She opened her eyes. She was back. She removed her hands. She scooted back in her chair and smiled at him.
“I take back what I said about the hugging thing,” Alex said, clearing his throat.
Feeling as if she’d been doused with a glass of ice water, she looked around the bar to see if anyone had witnessed them kissing. You couldn’t be too careful these days. People took pictures on their iPhones all the time. The night truly had a thousand eyes. Now the nights had video as well.
“Take it back?” she questioned.
“Yeah. I think the kissing thing is much better.” He smiled and moved his chair closer to hers. Then he put his hand on her neck. He pulled her face next to his. “Now the problem is that once I’ve tasted nirvana, I’m hooked,” he whispered.
He kissed her again. “Maddie. You are so sweet.”
“No,” she breathed. “It’s your cognac.”
“Trust me, it’s definitely you.”
Alex had just pulled away from Maddie when the waiter appeared and deposited their bill.
“We take all major credit cards as well as cash, sir,” the slender man said. Then he coughed. Loudly.
Alex grinned at Maddie. “I think he wants us to leave.”
Alex took out some bills and tossed them on the tray and they rose.
They walked out of the bar arm in arm.
The Lincoln Town Car pulled up to the curb and the doorman went to the car and opened the backdoor.
Maddie regarded Alex thoughtfully before getting in the car. “You live in the world I always wanted for myself. You live the life I want. Honestly. But this dream of mine is coming at me so fast, and until just a few minutes ago, I thought we were just doing a business deal. I wasn’t ready for...this.”
“Well, I’ve been hoping. You’re the reason I’ve worked so hard on this deal, Maddie. You wanted this and I wanted it for you. I am so happy it’s come together so well. Believe me, it’s not done yet and there is still a great deal left up to fate. If those first two cafés don’t make it, we’re back to square one. It’s not over, by any means. I won’t let your ship sink,” Alex said earnestly.
“I believe you, Alex,” she replied. “I believe in you.”
“That’s all I wanted to hear,” he said quietly. “Still, I don’t know what got into me, kissing you like that. If I offended you, I’m sorry.”
“You didn’t.”
“Good. Because I’m not sorry. It was pretty incredible. But I have to confess that from the second I saw you in my office, I did have an overwhelming desire. No, sorry, a craving to just hug you. Really tight. Yeah. Squeeze you tight. That’s what I wanted. I admit it.”
She laughed. “You’re funny.”
He touched her face with his forefinger, “And you are unforgettable.”
He kissed her good-night and stood aside while she climbed into the car. Alex looked at the driver. “Be careful on the Toll Road. She’s precious cargo.”
“Yes, sir.”
Alex leaned down and waved at Maddie through the glass. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”
“Okay,” she said. “Thanks for the wonderful dinner. And tonight. I’ll never forget it.”
“I hope you don’t,” he said as the driver started the engine and pulled into the lane.
Maddie turned around to watch out of the rear window.
Alex remained on the curb waving to her until she was out of sight.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
THE MORNING AFTER Maddie’s heady evening in Chicago, she opened the café, her head still in a dizzying fog as she remembered Alex’s kisses. She hadn’t slept well at all, which added to the hazy feeling. Or perhaps it was the fact that in a matter of weeks, her life had been turned upside down and she hadn’t a clue how to right it.
Alex was clearly attracted to her. A fact that was firmly established last night. Meanwhile, Nate had set fire to the embers of their long-ago love. Except Nate was leaving. Was he implying that he couldn’t commit to anything? Was he trying to tell her not count on him? That he was just passing through her life?
At the precise moment Maddie thought she was about to realize her dreams, she was more confused than she’d ever been.
Her stomach was a jumble of nervous knots and trying to concentrate on her business and daily routines had become a real chore.
Maddie felt an allegiance to Nate, but that wasn’t love. That was obligation to their shared past. On the other hand, she couldn’t get him out of her mind day or night. She was concerned that she hadn’t told him about her business deal and the franchise. She hadn’t invited him to her party. What kind of subliminal message was her psyche trying to tell her about that?
She certainly wanted him to share in her joy over her accomplishment, and she didn’t want him to hear a misconstrued version through the town gossip mill.
Maddie called Nate on his cell phone and left a voice mail, assuming he was in surgery. She explained that she shut the café down at five, and if he was free, she wanted to meet with him.
The day at the café was busy and bustling with lots of customers, and Chloe, as always, was a great help up front.
* * *
MADDIE HAD JUST put together the batter for her new pineapple cupcakes, when her cell phone rang in her pocket. She looked at the caller ID and saw that it was Nate.
She was amazed that her heart skipped a beat, possibly a beat and a half, just seeing his name. The phone rang a second time. She was so dazed, she’d forgotten to answer the call.
“Hello, Nate?”
“Hi, Maddi
e. I just finished up for the day and heard your message. I’d love to see you. When are you free?”
“I just have to put this batter away, is all.”
“So, how about I pick you up in fifteen minutes? I know just where we should go.”
“You do?”
“Uh-huh,” he said. “But it’s a surprise.”
“Okay,” she replied. “Can I bring anything?”
“A jacket,” he said, and hung up.
Maddie took the batter out from under the stainless-steel beater, put plastic wrap over the top and placed the bowl in her commercial refrigerator.
She rushed into her office, checked her makeup and frowned. Going into the employee bathroom, she applied fresh mascara, a bit of blush and some lipstick. She combed her hair and spritzed herself with Chanel No. 5.
She took off her apron and checked her sweater and jeans for food stains. Thankfully, there were none. She grabbed a pink windbreaker from the hook on the back of her office door.
Maddie had just turned out the café lights when she saw Nate’s Hummer drive up. He hopped out of the truck and came around to open the door for her. He was wearing jeans, a sweatshirt and running shoes. “My lady,” he said with a courtly bow.
“Thanks,” she said as she climbed in.
Nate shut the door and jogged around to the driver’s side. “You’re beautiful,” he said, grabbing his seat belt. He studied her with that straight, hard expression he often had when he was making judgments. She remembered that look. He wasn’t just complimenting her to be courteous or nice. He meant it.
And that meant a lot to her.
“You look...tired,” she replied and instinctively put her hand on his cheek. It was amazing, she thought, how easily she fell back to the emotional place they’d been in eleven years ago. She cared about how he felt, both physically and mentally. It felt so natural to pick up where they’d left off. “Are you okay?”
“Just getting used to my new routine at the hospital.” He put his own hand over hers and caressed it. “I guess I haven’t had much sleep lately.”
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