Taste of Love

chapter Seven




Madison scanned the packed dining room as she made her way out of the kitchen to greet her customers. She sure had a full house, and what pleased her the most was that most of the faces were new to her. Most, except one very familiar table. Before she could turn around and seek refuge in the kitchen, she was spotted and waved over.

"Good evening, ladies. How is everyone tonight?" Madison donned a smile.

"We're doing well, but what about you? We heard you've been under the weather. Are you feeling better now?" Sasha asked, offering her the vacant seat next to her with the wave of her hand.

"I'm doing better. It's a slow recovery, but I'll live," she joked.

"What was wrong dear, anything major?" Bunny asked.

She doesn't know, Madison thought. What should I tell her?

"Oh Bunny, that's really none of our business," Sasha chided her friend.

Madison looked relieved. "Let's just call it girl problems and leave it at that."

"Well, I am so glad you're back. And perfect timing too," Sasha said, searching through her purse. She pulled out a small black envelope and handed it to Madison.

"What's this?" Madison asked, opening the envelope as she spoke. Inside was a black card with the words 'Your Presence is Requested' inscribed with gold lettering. She opened the card to find details regarding a charity ball that Sasha was hosting at her home that weekend.

"It's our annual Gold and Black Ball. When my husband was alive, he started a foundation to help rescue dogs from puppy mills and the abuse and mistreatment that they received. God rest his soul, he truly believed in 'Man's Best Friend', and he did all he could to save them." She wiped a tear from her eye.

"You really must come. I'm afraid I can't take no for an answer," she said with a warm smile.

"I'm honored that you would think to invite me, but I can't leave the restaurant again, so soon after being sick," Madison tried to protest.

Bunny pulled a silver envelope out of her purse and sat it in front of Madison. "That's an invitation to my ball the week after. Our foundation benefits orphaned children to give them a better life, and puts them through college. I won't take no for an answer either. Besides, we've already talked to Austin, and he assured us that he would take good care of the restaurant in your absence."

"Wow." Madison was overwhelmed. "I'm not really sure that I can afford this," she told them honestly, thinking of the monetary donations she's have to make, as well as the cost of two different formal dresses. And besides that, she would have medical bills after the misfortunes of the past week.

"That's simple. All I ask is that your restaurant donates some of those wonderful Lobster Dainties appetizers, enough to feed 150 people," Sasha told her.

"And I would like some of those Shrimp Bruschetta Rounds, for the same number of people," Bunny added. "We've both hired caterers, but we've told many of our friends how wonderful your restaurant is, so you can network, as well as have a little fun that night. And, my seamstress will be waiting for you tomorrow morning. She has promised to give you a great deal on your dresses."

Bunny handed her a business card, again from her purse.

"Well, you've made it virtually impossible to say no." Madison raised her eyebrows and took a deep breath. "I guess the answer's yes, then."

Both Bunny and Sasha clapped their hands. After Madison thanked them again and excused herself from the ladies, they high-fived each other.

"Bet is on," Sasha told her friend.

"You know, you should just give it up. She's already got her eye on Cameron," Bunny told her with all the confidence in the world.

"Not a chance. The minute she sees my Thomas, she's going to go weak in the knees and melt like cheese," Sasha bragged, as she bit into a chunk of cheddar.

"We'll see," Bunny promised, not mentioning that Madison and Cameron already knew each other. She wasn't sure if they were friends or not, but she felt there was something going on.



"I can't believe I'm doing this," Madison told Chase as she got ready for her first ball. "I mean, look at this dress. I could never have afforded this if it wasn't for Bunny. Her seamstress was amazing. She knew exactly what to do to make me look good."

"Girl, you look hot. That's enough to turn a gay man straight." He wagged his eyebrows as he took in her dress, while she turned in a circle for him. The dress was long and flowing, but hugged every curve of Madison's body. The color was such a deep shade of purple that it looked almost black, and it sparkled in just the right places.

Madison laughed. "This is so unreal. I feel like such a princess."

"You look like one too," he told her. "I'm going to go down and hail you a cab, so that you don't have to stand on the street like that. I don't want some strange Prince snatching you up as their prize."

She laughed again as Chase kissed her cheek before leaving. She took a final look in the mirror, running her hands over the dress, making sure that it was all real. Two minutes later, she heard a knock at her door and nearly jumped out of her skin.

"Who is it?"

"Thomas Winters. My mother, Sasha Winters, sent me over to pick you up," the voice on the other side of the door called.

Madison looked confused and rushed to the door to open it. A gorgeous man stood tall and proud before her. She looked him up and down with wide eyes.

"Hi. I wasn't told you'd be coming."

"She said she wanted to make sure you got to the house okay," he told her. Then, with a million watt smile, he confided, "But I think she has an ulterior motive."

Madison grinned. "That I can believe." She held out her hand. "I'm Madison Drew. Nice to meet you."

Thomas took her hand and kissed it. "Nice to meet you too. I'm glad I can finally put a face to the name I've heard so much about."

"Likewise," she told him, looking into his crystal blue eyes. She had to admit, Sasha was right, he was very handsome.

"Well," Thomas snapped her out of her stupor. "We should probably get going. Don't want to upset Mother by being late."

"Right." Madison gave a small nod. She grabbed her small handbag off the coffee table. "Let's go."

All was quiet as they made their way outside, until Madison saw Chase standing in the middle of the street with his hand in the air.

"TAXI!" He shouted at one that passed by him, never slowing. "Stupid son of a bitch," he muttered, flipping the driver off.

Madison burst into laughter. Thomas did, too. "What in the world?"

Another one came by.

"EXCUSE ME! TAAAAXI!" That, too, passed him by.

His hands flew to his hips. "Do I have f*cking queen written on my forehead? Is that why you won't stop?"

Madison was still giggling, but she had had enough. She didn't want Chase riled any more than he already was, funny as it may be. "Hey Chase, it's alright. I got a ride."

Chase looked over to where Madison stood with a man he didn't know; a very fine specimen of a man he didn't know. He strolled over to the curb, wanting an introduction. "And who is this hunk of a man?"

Madison looked mortified. But before she could introduce them, Thomas held out his hand. "Thomas Winters. Pleased to meet you." He smiled and showed his perfectly straight, bright white teeth.

"Well hello Tommy Boy. I'm Chase, the man of your dreams." He shook his hand, holding on to it a little longer than necessary.

"Chase!" Madison scolded. She grabbed Chase by the ear and dragged him away from Thomas, then whisper-yelled, "I can't believe you are embarrassing me like that."

"Sweetie, he's a closet flamer. I hate to tell you," Chase told her, matter-of-factly.

"What? You're delusional!" She protested. She looked over at Thomas, who gave a little wave in their direction. "I've got to go, we can't be late."

"Okay, at least I know you're safe tonight with him as your date." He smirked and kissed her cheek before he turned and strutted away.

"Sorry about that," Madison said, rejoining Thomas. "I'm ready whenever you are."

The ride to the house had them comparing notes on recent pop culture. They seemed to enjoy the same music, books, movies, and shows on television. By the time they had arrived, Madison thought Chase was way out in left field, thinking that Thomas was gay.

Thomas got out of the car first, then turned to offer his hand to Madison. "Here we go."

"Thank you, Thomas." She held tightly to his arm as he led her through the front doors and into the foyer, where Sasha was greeting her guests.

"Ah, Madison. I see that Thomas got you here safely." Sasha was obviously quite pleased to see Madison with her son.

"Yes, he was the perfect gentleman. And thank you for sending him, though it was completely unnecessary," Madison told her. "Did the appetizers arrive?"

"They did. They were delivered about half an hour ago. Right on time. So now you can relax and enjoy yourself," Sasha winked. "Thomas will be your personal escort this evening, so if you need anything, you just let him know."

Madison thanked her, then moved off with Thomas to get a drink from the bar. As they were waiting, Madison heard a woman behind her raving about the Lobster Dainties. It sent a warm tingle to her ego and made her smile. Thomas handed her a glass of champagne, and led her through the room to mingle with the guests.

About an hour into the party, Madison and Thomas were leaving the dance floor when she looked up and locked eyes with the last person she would have expected to see there. "Excuse me for a minute," she said to Thomas, and walked in the direction she had just seen him.

Seeing her coming towards him, he met her half way, then leaned down and kissed her cheek. "How're you feeling?" Cameron asked.

"Much better, thanks. How've you been?" she asked him, feeling like it had been weeks since they last saw each other, rather than just a few days.

"I'm good." He lifted her hand over her head and twirled her around. "You look phenomenal."

The look he was giving her added to her dizziness. "Thanks. You don't look so bad yourself."

"You can thank Mother for that. As if I was still five, she picked this out for me," he told her with a shake of his head.

"Well, she did great." Madison told him, just happy to be in his presence.

"Darling, I turned to speak with someone, and you left me," a blonde woman pouted as she came up to Cameron.

Cameron jumped and turned around to see his date. His eyes darted back and forth between Madison and Lynda. "Uh, Madison, this is my date, Lynda. Lynda, Madison."

"Nice to meet you," Lynda told Madison without emotion, letting her know that it wasn't quite as nice to meet her as she said.

"I'm sure," Madison quipped back. "Well, I have to run, I'm sure Thomas is looking for me. Nice seeing you."

She turned to leave, but was stopped by a hand on her arm.

"Thomas?" Cameron questioned.

"Yes, Thomas Winters. My date for the night." She gave him a winning smile, then shrugged out of his grip and walked away.

Cameron stood there and watched Madison disappear into the crowd, only to appear a few minutes later with Thomas on the dance floor. He shook his head, and realized there was nothing he could do about it as he returned to his own date. They were friends, and he had no claim on her, just as she had no claim on him. That was how it needed to remain.