"Alexandra!" Sam snapped impatiently.
She sighed. What did she think of him as a man? In her mind's eye Cale rose before her, Cale smiling, Cale frowning, Cale painting, Cale sitting at her desk. Finally, she admitted, "I think he's gorgeous, smart, funny, smells divine, and he probably has the sexiest accent I've ever heard."
"And? " Sam prompted.
"And what?"
"What are you going to do about it?" Sam asked impatiently.
Alex sat up in her seat, her voice firm as she said, "Absolutely nothing."
"What?" her sister gasped with what sounded like horror. "But-"
"Sam, honey," she interrupted gently. "I know you're deliriously happy with Mortimer and want the same for me, but Cale is the best business manager I could ask for. I'm not messing that up by getting involved." She let that sink in, and then added, "Besides, I'm not likeyou. I don't need a man to make me happy. Cooking and my restaurant make me happy."
"But it doesn't keep you warm at night," Sam said at once.
"That's what electric blankets are for."
"You can't talk to electric blankets," Sam argued.
"That's what friends are for," Alex responded at once.
"Friends can't give you sex," she snapped finally.
"Friends with benefits can," Alex said with a grin, actually enjoying her sister's frustration.
Sam sounded surprised when she asked, "Do you have a friend with benefits?"
"No," Alex admitted, her smile fading. Truly, her love life was a barren wasteland at the moment and had been for a while. It was depressing to even think of it. Forcing her shoulders straight, she added, "But a BOB fills in nicely until I get one."
"Who is Bob?" Sam asked with confusion.
"Not a who, a what," Alex explained dryly. "A battery-operated boyfriend."
"What?" Sam sounded completely lost now.
"A vibrator, Sam," she said dryly. "Geez. You've heard of those, haven't you?"
A long sigh came down the line, and then Sam said, "Alex, please ... Just give Cale a chance. If you don't, you could be passing up on the greatest happiness of your life."
Alex was silent for a moment, wondering if she was passing up on a good thing with Cale. But then she reminded herself that he was only here for a short time and would be returning home eventually.
"How is Cale taking your ... reticence," Sam asked garnering her attention again.
Alex felt her eyebrows rise, and said slowly, "He said he'd like to get to know me better, but I made it plain I don't have time for men right now and he's respecting that."
"What an idiot," Sam muttered, making Alex smile with affection. Her sister loved her and would think the man an idiot for not pursuing her ardently. It was sweet, Alex thought, but her smile faded as she glanced out to the kitchen and saw Sue placing orders on her shelf.
"Honey, I have to go," she said apologetically. "The orders have started rolling in now."
Sam sighed, but said, "That's all right, I need to call Marguerite anyway."
"Marguerite Argeneau?" Alex asked with surprise. It was the only Marguerite Sam had ever mentioned to her.
"Yes," Sam muttered, sounding grim, and Alex felt her curiosity stir. She hadn't realized the two women knew each other that well. Sam always talked about the woman like she was some sort of goddess or someone high above their social standing, but it sounded like she was making friends with her.
Sue rushed into the kitchen with more orders in hand, and Alex grimaced. "Right, you call Marguerite then, but first I want to tell you ... thank you thank you thank you for sending Cale to me. He's working wonders and keeping me from bankruptcy. You saved my life. I love you, Sam."