Better Than Chocolate by Pat Amsden Page A

she could feel her heart beating as she looked him straight in his eyes.
          A smile washed across his face. “Oh, you’re certainly not that.”
          The look in his eyes was making her feel weak in the knees. He reached out and touched her hair. “You’re definitely not just another client,” he said gruffly.
          “I – I thought you said it was just business.”
          “It is. It was…” He withdrew his hand standing back from her. “Oh hell, I don’t know anymore.”
          She could feel herself trembling. “It’s not good to mix the two.”
          He cursed softly under his breath. “Do you have to remember everything I said?”
          “I, this business means everything to me.”
          “Have I ever asked you to give it up,” he said angrily.
          “And I don’t want my father involved.”
          “He’s not,” he said furious. “I’ve never told him anything about your business.”
          “But you talk to him everyday,” she said, her voice rising.
          “Not everyday,” he said exasperated. “I’ve got other clients, other projects. I can’t just walk away and leave them high and dry.”
          She turned away from him. “I don’t know. I told you right from the start if you said one word to him you were out.”
          “About your business,” he said angrily. “You didn’t expect me to give up my job did you?”
      “No. Of course not,” she said.
          “Then what’s the problem?”
      “Nothing,” she said. “Nothing at all. As long as it’s straight business.”
          “Fine.”
    “Did you still want to go over the business plan?”
”If you took the time to make up a business plan I want to see it.”
    “Fine.”
    Star ran into the room stopping in front of them. “Morning,” she said. “Did you
    sleep well? Are you staying for breakfast? Will you be here when I get home?”
          Elena laughed. “Yes, yes and probably not.”
          “Oh,” the smile left Star’s face and she looked like she was pouting. She turned towards Brad. “Did you know Elena’s my godmother?”
          “No. But I’ll bet you she makes a good godmother,” Brad said grinning as Bente entered the kitchen holding the baby. “Star, give them a chance to finish their coffee in peace,” she scolded good-naturedly.
          “It’s OK,” Elena said laughing. “After all I am her godmother.”
          “Well, right now she needs to get ready for school. Come on Star.”
          “Oh, Ok,” Star grumbled. “Is it OK if I wear my purple dress?”
          “Sure,” Bente said. She poured herself a cup of coffee as Star scampered off. “I have to get Megan up and dressed in a couple of minutes and then I’ll start breakfast. “Nothing too fancy I’m afraid.”
          “You take care of Megan and the baby,” Brad said. “I’ll take care of  the breakfast.” He moved over to the fridge.
          “Are you sure?” Bente said doubtfully.
          “I used to do the cooking all the time growing up,” Brad said easily pulling eggs and milk from the fridge along with the bacon. “French toast all right with scrambled eggs and bacon.”
          “It sounds heavenly,” Bente said. “Are you sure. I mean, you are the guest.”
          “I’m sure,” he said firmly. He moved around the kitchen easily and Bente, shrugging her shoulders, disappeared in the direction of Meg’s bedroom.
          James came in, helped himself to a cup of coffee and stopped short, sniffing the air appreciatively. “What’s this? Real food?”
          “Don’t worry. I’m not cooking.”
          “Good thing too. Last time you tried that I think you gave us food poisoning. I’ve got an early morning meeting today or I’d stay for this. I’m used to whatever box of cereal I can find.”
          “Now James