Sasha complimented. "Thomas said he would like for you to get in touch with him when you returned."
Madison looked over at Bunny, and shared an almost imperceptible smile. "I'm sorry Sasha, but I've recently become involved with someone else. It wasn't planned, but it happened. Besides, I don't think I am really Thomas's type. But I will get in touch with him and explain," she told her with real regret. She really did like Sasha and didn't want to disappoint her.
Sasha smiled. "That's alright dear. I was hoping that it would work out, but I understand when two people aren't compatible, no matter how hard they try."
"Thank you for understanding." She was relieved, though she wasn't sure how to explain about her and Cameron.
"I think I figured that you weren't meant for Thomas when I heard you had taken up with Cameron," she laughed, letting Madison off the hook.
Madison giggled, putting her hands on her cheeks to conceal the blush. She eyed Bunny, who was smiling proudly.
"I do believe I won the bet," Bunny told Sasha. "But more importantly, I am pleased you and Cameron make each other so happy." She winked at Madison. "I talked to him earlier today, and he sounded so rejuvenated. I think your visit was exactly what he needed. And obviously what you needed too. You are positively glowing!"
Madison blushed harder. "We had a great time! I'm so glad he talked me into coming. I've never done something spur of the moment like that before."
"I'm just anxious for his tour to end, and for him to get back here," Bunny told her.
"Me too!" Madison said, a little more expressive than she had planned. She shook her head in embarrassment. "Well ladies, I hate to leave, but duty calls."
They bid their farewells, and when she left, she noticed that Bunny had a smile on her face, larger than she had ever seen before.
Over the next week, Madison went into work early every morning, in order to catch up on paperwork that hadn't gotten done while she was gone. It seemed like it was further payback from Austin - he could have taken care of it all, but apparently had chosen not to do so. And every evening, she would go home and do her nightly chores, getting back into a rhythm again.
She interviewed the candidates for the Assistant Manager position, and ended up hiring a woman who seemed very efficient and had great recommendations. On her first day, Madison painted the picture for her. She explained that the restaurant was her baby, and she expected nothing but perfection from her, and satisfaction from the customers.
Abigail seemed to understand and agree wholeheartedly. She was a nice looking thirty-seven year old woman who was single with no kids, and always dedicated herself to her job. She had told the woman about Austin, and that he would be her boss until she was fully trained, but once she knew the ins and outs, they would be equals. Since Austin was still on vacation, and she didn't have much time to train Abigail, she wouldn't start until Austin got back from vacation. It still left Madison shorthanded for the time being, but it would be easier in the long run.
Time was flying by, but it was also standing still. She couldn't wait for Cameron to return home, yet she was nervous. Things worked well for them when she went to visit him, but how would it be when he was home full time? Would he be upset that she worked so much? Would they get bored with each other? Would she have her heart broken? How would it go after the honeymoon period was over?
Cameron had called a few times, and though the conversations were often rushed, they were full of emotion. Cameron had informed her that his final concert of the tour would be in the city, and he wanted her there
"Try to keep me away," she joked.
"Alright, I'll pick you up before the concert. I want you backstage with me while I get ready," he told her.
"I won't see you before that?" Usually they had a sound check or rehearsal the day before the concert, and she was hoping for that now.
"No, sorry. As soon as we roll into town, we have to go straight to the stadium for sound check and rehearsal. I'll only have about an hour and a half between that and the time I need to be back stage, so you need to be