Taste of Love - By Stephanie Nicole Page 0,2

owe the pleasure of your call?" he asked.

"I wanted to remind you that you promised to go out with Janey Tollar's niece tonight. Remember, she's new in town, so show her around a little. But be nice, and mind your manners. And so help me God, if I find out that you were rude or upset her in any way..."

"I know, Mother!" His outburst stopped her rant in mid-sentence. "Relax, I'll take her out and be the proper young man." He watched some kids shooting baskets as the car waited at a light.

"You better. Pick her up at eight o'clock. I'll e-mail you her address. I've made reservations for you at this new restaurant called The TigerLily. They have the best Coq Au Vin. I went there last week with Rachel Provost, it was the first time I'd ever been there, and let me tell you it won't be the last. I had the Coq Au Vin and she had the lobster; both were absolutely delectable. And the dessert, oh the dessert!"

"Mom! I get the picture."

"Oh. I was going to ask, before you so rudely interrupted, if you have enough money to pay for the both of you. It does tend to get a little expensive, and it would be preposterous to ask her to pay for her own."

"Mother! My last album went double platinum. I think I can more than afford a couple of dinners," he bit back at her. She would never see how successful and famous he was because she wore blinders when it came to his singing career. She was from old money, and nothing he ever did could compare to the ideals she was raised with.

"You see Cameron, that is exactly the rudeness that I will not allow you to display tonight," his mother pointed out.

"I apologize, Mother," he said through clenched teeth. "What is her name again?"

"Her name is Alexandra Lee Tollar. And she's from a very small town, so make sure you don't do anything to scare her," she scolded. His mother was more worried about her own reputation than anything else.

"Mother? I'm losing you. I'm going through a tunnel. I'll talk to you later." He hissed into the phone to create fake interference, then snapped the phone shut and shook his head. This was not what he needed today.

Eight o'clock came a lot fast than Cameron had hoped. He was still stewing over the song choices and his meeting with his manager as he got ready to pick Alexandra Lee up. Just before he knocked on her door, he said a quick prayer.

Please Lord, don't give me a reason to fake an illness tonight.

He raised his hand and rapped his knuckles against the door.

A minute later, the door opened and a beautiful brunette smiled at him. "Hi, you must be Cameron. I'm a big fan." She held out her hand.

Cameron shot her a dazzling smile as he took her hand and brought it to his mouth for a gentle kiss. "And you must be Alexandra Lee. I am so glad to meet you and a little relieved that you aren't what I was expecting."

"Uh, I'm actually Alexandra Lee's roommate. She'll be out in a minute." She let him into the apartment and showed him to the couch so he could sit while he waited for Alexandra Lee. "I'm really looking forward to your new album. I already have your other two."

Cameron flinched. He only wished that he was looking forward to his new album. Before he could respond, a skinny blonde bounded into the living room.

"Ah my god! This is so excitin', to meet a real live super star." The woman drawled loudly with a thick southern accent. "I'm Alexandra Lee," she told him, reaching out her hand to shake his with enthusiasm.

"I'm Cameron. Nice to meet you." He stood up. "If you're ready, we've got dinner reservations that we shouldn't be late for."

"Well, yeehaw! Let's go!" she yelled. "Are you taking me to some fancy place?"

Cameron looked back at the roommate and winced. She mouthed her apology with a wave as they walked out the door.

"I'm not really sure, I've never been there before," he explained with a shrug.

They went outside and got into the car that was waiting to take them to the restaurant. They took their time getting to their destination, passing by a few different landmarks on the way so that Cameron could tell his mother that he showed her around a little. The whole time, Alexandra Lee