Taste of Love - By Stephanie Nicole Page 0,30

school and we just got caught making out by my dad?" Madison asked Cameron.

"Thomas can be pretty condescending sometimes, especially when it comes to me. Let's just say that thanks to our mothers, we've often competed for the proverbial prize. But I've always been the 'wild one', and he was always the 'straight arrow'," Cameron explained without a small bit of irritation.

"I can see that." Madison smiled at Cameron. "Well, I better get in there," she told him, feeling strangely disappointed. She had enjoyed their moment of solace before the interruption.

Cameron nodded and turned back to the garden as she left, leaning on the balcony railing. He inhaled deeply, then sighed, wishing things could be different for once. It was the first time he wasn't excited about getting out on the road and touring, but it was his job, and it's what had made him so successful.

Madison located Sasha and Bunny when she went back inside, and true to Thomas's word, she was introduced to many friends that had enjoyed her appetizers immensely.

By the end of the night, Madison was tired and tipsy. All she could think about was getting home and crawling between the covers. When Thomas suggested they go somewhere for coffee, she regretfully declined.

"I'm sorry, I'm wiped out. But I do appreciate the offer," she told him, feeling bad, since he had been nice to her all night.

"I understand." He gave her a half smile. "But we're still on for Bunny's party next week, right?"

"You bet." She smiled as he let her off at the door to her apartment. "I had a great time tonight. Thanks for everything." She fished through her evening bag, trying to find her keys. Once she had them in hand, she looked up triumphantly, only to have her lips taken in a soft, chaste kiss.

"Good night sweet Madison," Thomas whispered, then left before she could even respond.

The next day the restaurant was busier than ever and Madison was glad, for it kept her mind off Thomas and Cameron. It was clear that some of the people Sasha and Bunny had introduced the night before had come to the restaurant to try it out. The dining room was at capacity, and had been for hours. People were milling about in the lobby, hoping to get a table before the restaurant closed. It was fabulous for Madison, though she disliked seeing people waiting for so long. She sent a few rounds of appetizers out to the lobby so that people wouldn't get too upset about the wait.

She barely had time to make her hourly rounds of the restaurant before she had to run back in the kitchen and help out. But she felt it was important to get out, and let her customers know she appreciated them.

The kitchen stayed open an hour later than normal, to accommodate all those who were waiting to get a table. Madison hated turning people away, even if it was late. Her staff all understood and agreed.

By the time they finally left the restaurant, they were all exhausted. Madison checked the reservations and saw that the restaurant was fully booked for the next three weeks. Booked absolutely solid. Proud of everything she had accomplished, and thankful for Sasha and Bunny's introductions, she shut off all the lights and locked the doors.

Over the next few days, Madison and Austin realized a few changes were needed. They decided to open up the banquet room to the nightly diners, and not host any large parties there, unless the price was right. That would free up another twenty tables, something they sorely needed.

They also decided to hire five more people to help out in the kitchen, and three more servers. It was a big step for Madison to take, but she realized that if she didn't do it, the staff would start to complain. Another idea in the works was a separate location, just for catering, but that would come sometime down the road. For now, the catering requests that had increased since Sasha's party would be handled through the restaurant.

"Austin, I hate to leave you like this when we've been so busy lately, but I can't disappoint Bunny."

Madison was torn. She stood in the kitchen of her restaurant, wearing the luxurious red ball gown, watching her employees packing up the Shrimp Bruschetta rounds that Bunny had asked for.

"We can handle it. Besides, I'm sure that some of our new customers will be at Bunny's party too, so it might not be as