Brandon (Anderson Billionaires #3) - Melody Anne Page 0,53
part of her didn’t want him to see her this vulnerable, but another part of her—a bigger part—trusted him to not take advantage of the situation.
Genevieve seemed to remember he was sitting there right then, as she turned toward him. “I’m sorry you had to witness our little moment,” she said, seeming slightly embarrassed.
“I feel privileged to be a small part of it. I love Chloe’s cooking, and what a beautiful moment to see.” He then turned to Chloe. “You’re officially an author.”
Her eyes widened. “No, I’m not,” she said, shaking her head. “My father is the one with a magic way of speaking. Look,” she said as she opened the book. She’d seen some of his early drafts.
“What makes his books stand out in a sea of cookbooks is that he adds pictures of the process with little anecdotes of failures and humor in the kitchen. What’s really funny about it is that he only really lets go when he’s working on one of these books. He finds humor in the process.”
She found a picture that brought more tears to her eyes when she came to one of her cookie recipes. There was a picture of her laughing, her eyes sparkling as her father tossed a spoonful of flour her way. She could practically see the tiny granules flying in the air through the picture. Her mother must’ve snapped it. She hadn’t even been aware of a camera coming out. That had been a fun day.
There hadn’t been a lot of time for fun and games while she’d been growing up. Her parents were overachievers, making her that way, too. Or maybe that truly was just her personality. That made those little moments that much more special. This cookbook would be her favorite book of all time.
She turned the book to the beginning and found the dedication. “To my beautiful wife, who has always supported my goals and my career, even when that took me from my family for eighteen-hour days, seven days a week. And to my daughter, who makes me realize it’s not what I’ve learned in life—it’s what I’ve been able to see, touch, and feel. I’ve found magic in the kitchen once more, and not just a formula that needs to be perfected. Without the balance both of you bring to my life, I wouldn’t be the man I am today. I love you both more than I’ve ever been able to express.”
Chloe felt another tear fall. “I guess I’ve learned a lot from your father, as he’s learned from both of us. We’re a family. I forget that sometimes. I’m so focused on what’s before me that I forget that you and your father are the reason I do what I do,” Genevieve said.
Chloe rushed to the other side of the counter and threw her arms around her mother. It was the first time she’d done that since she was a young child. They hugged often, but they were side hugs and quick embraces. They weren’t those tender embraces that filled you with warmth.
“I love you, Mother,” she said.
“I love you, Chloe.”
They stood there for several moments before pulling apart. Chloe looked up to see Brandon beaming at them. Chloe couldn’t remember ever feeling this happy in her life. She couldn’t wait to see her father next. She’d give him just as big of a hug.
“Now, enough of all this emotional stuff. Would you and Brandon join me for dinner so I don’t have to sit alone?” Genevieve asked. “I’m famished after shopping all day.”
“I would love to join you,” Chloe said. “Let me tell my manager so she can take over.”
“It would be my honor,” Brandon added.
Chloe got them a table, and it was the best meal she’d had in a very long time. She truly hoped this was a new phase in her life with her parents. And maybe, just maybe, it would be a new phase with Brandon as well.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Chloe was sitting outside on her porch swing, perfectly content—well, somewhat content. She was reading a particularly erotic scene in her newest romance book that was making her slightly hot and bothered, but that was nothing new lately.
When a voice spoke, it made her jump, and her cheeks flushed as she guiltily looked up, as if the person would know exactly what she’d been reading and what that had led to in her mind. Brandon was standing before her. She’d been so immersed in her book she hadn’t noticed him.