Brandon (Anderson Billionaires #3) - Melody Anne Page 0,1

say you don’t have the golden touch.”

“Exactly!” he exclaimed as his fist hit the counter, making the person to his right jump in her seat. Chloe laughed again.

“Don’t be scaring my customers,” she warned. She stepped over to the woman and refilled her drink. Joseph hadn’t had this much fun in a while. He was definitely going to be hanging out at this place more often.

She came back and refilled his scotch. He pulled out the contract he’d been carrying with him for a while.

“You’ve done amazing with this place. Now it’s time to give back to the community,” he told her.

She warily eyed the document before meeting his gaze, challenge in her eyes.

“I told you I don’t have time to do the kitchen at the veterans center,” she said.

“And I told you I want the best. Look what you’ve done with this place in less than six months. Don’t you think the poor men and women who’ve served our country deserve what only you can give them?”

“Playing on my heartstrings?” she questioned.

“I’m just wanting to give back,” he said as he took a sip of his drink. It was damn fine.

“Why do you want me to do this so badly?” she asked. And he knew right then that he had her. He leaned back, feeling pretty dang good about it.

“I told you—I only hire the best.”

“Fine. I’ll read the contract,” she said, and he grinned. But she held up a finger. “I said I’d read it. That doesn’t mean I’m committing to it.”

Before Joseph could reply, Chloe’s shoulders tensed as her gaze was directed behind him. He knew that look. He was curious to see what had brought out the expression.

Joseph turned to see a very attractive, well-put-together woman approaching. She glanced his way before her eyes focused once more on Chloe. She moved to them and gracefully sat down on the stool next to Joseph.

He instantly liked the woman. Joseph had always told the masses he got a feel for a person within the first few seconds, usually before any words were even spoken. It was all in their attitude and the way they held themselves. He admired confidence and drive. This woman had them in spades. The resemblance between her and Chloe told him she was most likely her mother.

The day just kept getting better and better.

“Hello, Chloe,” the woman said in a polished, autocratic voice. She was used to getting her way and used to people listening to her. She looked slightly familiar, but Joseph couldn’t quite place her.

“Hello, Mother,” Chloe said, her shoulders stiff. There wasn’t a lot of warmth between the two of them, but Joseph still liked the woman. He could see respect and love there but also a wall. There was a story here he truly wanted to learn.

“Mother, this is Joseph Anderson. Joseph, this is my mother, Genevieve Hitman.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Hitman,” Joseph said as he held out a hand.

“Please, call me Genevieve. The pleasure is all mine,” she smoothly said.

He smiled. “Now I know why you look so familiar,” he said. “You own the culinary school. I can’t believe it’s taken me this long to put it together.” He frowned for a moment. He liked to know everything about the people surrounding him, and he should’ve realized who Chloe’s parents were long ago. That was foolish of him, but in his defense, Chloe never spoke of her parents. He wanted to find out why.

“Yes, my husband and I do,” she said.

“Do you want a glass of wine?” Chloe asked.

“Yes, darling,” Genevieve said. Chloe didn’t ask which kind. She obviously knew what her mother drank.

Chloe pulled out a fresh bottle of red and began pouring while Joseph faced her mother. He had so many questions but didn’t know where to start. That was a first for him.

“What brings you out to our small town?” Chloe asked as she set the glass in front of her mother.

“I haven’t seen you in a month,” Genevieve said, the words sounding like a bit of a scolding. It was well placed, in Joseph’s opinion. A child should visit their parents much more often than monthly.

“I’m sorry, Mother. I’ve been swamped with the restaurant,” Chloe said.

“It seems to be doing well,” Genevieve said. Though she was barely looking around. Even as she said this, she looked at the counter and frowned. “Do you have a rag?”

Chloe sighed as she grabbed a rag and began to wipe the counter. “I’ve got it, darling,”