Free Some Like It Hot by Lori Wilde Page A

you.”
    “Thank you for saying so.”
    “I’m glad we got this out in the open. I think I can get some sleep now.”
    “Me, too.” They smiled at each other, and love for her sister filled the lonely spot in Melanie’s heart. “And Char?”
    “Yes?”
    “If for some reason Robert decides to quit, could I be considered for the executive chef job?”
    “Sure, of course. If you really wanted it, but I don’t think Robert’s going anywhere. I heard him telling Luc he was buying a house here.”
    “Really?” Melanie’s hopes sank.
    She felt so conflicted. On the one hand she would love to be the executive chef of Chez Remy, but as Charlotte had pointedout, it was a big commitment. Running a restaurant involved managerial skills and Robert seemed perfect for the job.
    So where did that leave her in the grand scheme of things?
     
    W HEN M ELANIE ARRIVED at work the next day she received an unexpected surprise. Her chocolate turkey was featured as the evening special. A gleeful sense of victory swept over her and she rode the feeling like a prize-winning racehorse.
    Robert had caved.
    “I should have burned my legs ages ago,” she muttered to herself. “Or kissed him.”
    “Pardon?” Jean-Paul asked.
    “What’s up with the chocolate turkey?”
    The Cajun winked. “I thought you two negotiated a peace treaty last night.”
    “Not hardly.” She didn’t want the staff to be aware of the change in her relationship with Robert. As far as they were concerned he was still her adversary.
    “Well, whatever went on back there in the boss’s office last night, looks like you won.”
    “Nothing went on.”
    “Maybe you don’t think so, but something must have changed. You got your way and Chef LeSoeur, he don’t give in so easy.”
    That was true.
    Hmm, what was up?
    Pensively, she tied on her apron. She heard the sound of Robert’s crocodile shoes creaking softly against the floor. Even without the noisy shoes, she would have recognized his walk if she were blindfolded in a crowd. There was a methodical crispness to his gait. A certainty that said he never made a misstep.
    And now she knew that, unlike her arrogant ex-husband, Robert was capable of compromise. He’d put chocolate turkey on the menu. He was going to let her take a chance, with his reputation on the line. It was something David would never have done. Once her ex made a decision, he never went back on it, even in the face of flagrant proof that he was wrong. Unless, that is, he was conniving to get something in return.
    Was that what Robert was doing? Did he want something from her in exchange? Did he have an ulterior motive?
    Now that was a thought.
    Melanie turned to find Robert standing directly behind her. She startled, seeing him so close.
    He looked at her and she looked at him, and everything felt crazy, weird and dangerous.
    “What’s this all about?” She gestured at the menu board. “You’re okaying the chocolate turkey?”
    “It’s only a test drive,” he said. “If it doesn’t sell, it’s out of here.”
    “But why did you give in?”
    “I gave it some thought and decided that you had a valid point. Your chocolate turkey deserved a chance. The customers should decide the fate of a dish, not me.”
    Damn. Why had he gone and done a nice thing like that? Now she was nervous, worried the dish would be a smashing flop. “But why the change of heart?”
    He shrugged.
    “I know what this is about.” Melanie glanced over her shoulder at the kitchen help, then stepped closer to Robert and lowered her voice. “This is about last night.”
    “Excuse me?” His voice was as low as hers. He flicked alazy glance over her body, and a thoroughly masculine smirk lifted the corners of his mouth.
    “You’re feeling guilty for having taken advantage of me in a moment of vulnerability,” she teased.
    “Yes,” he said. “I do feel guilty. But that’s not why I put the turkey on the menu.”
    Around them came the sounds of chopping