“You heard?” Her voice squeaked out. “Bad habit. Like the giggles.”
“Giggles: adorable. Talking to yourself out loud: slightly strange.”
Adorable? Heat crowded in her cheeks. She’d been called a few things: beautiful, gorgeous, a Grace Kelly look-alike. But never adorable and with such genuine delight.
The doors dinged open and he placed his hand on her lower back, allowing her to enter before him. He had big hands. Warm. Strong. Gentle. And they made her weak in the knees. Call it old-fashioned, but she liked when a man treated a woman with such care and tenderness.
The silence of their ride upward didn’t rattle her as much as Dex standing beside her did. “You all right? I shouldn’t have worked you so hard. Day one, she faints from starvation.”
Madison laughed. “Dehydration, too.” Looking up at him, she smiled. “Gosh, Dex, I got so caught up in your work, I completely forgot about anything else. It’s fascinating what you do. You create something incredible. Even the ones that don’t make the grade.”
He flushed. “Thanks, Madison. I don’t think anyone’s ever said that to me before.”
“Have you always been a science guy?”
The elevator came to a halt and the doors opened. The first thing that hit her was the light and then the noise of people. Oddly, she didn’t like the change.
“It does that to you.”
“Huh?”
“The jolt back to the real world. I practically live in a cocoon down there. Dark, except for the artificial lighting. Silence. Shelter.” He touched her elbow and directed her out into the world. “Here. Life-forms.”
Her chuckle joined his. “You’re funny. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“Why, no. I don’t think they ever have.”
She matched his stride, dodging rushing customers and employees along the marble aisle. “Everyone’s in such a hurry.”
“Places to go. People to see.”
“Food to eat,” she said, feeling the hollow ache in her belly. “I’m starving. You must be, too.”
“Good thing the café is right next door. I’d bring you through the tunnel from here to there, but I think we both need a little vitamin D.”
“Huh?”
“Sunlight.”
“Oh, you scientists. Always making it about the science.”
His grin warmed her to her toes. No, she didn’t need sunshine, just Dex. Where had that thought sprung from?
“Hey, Benny,” Dex said to the doorman. “Busy today. Sale or something going on?”
“Mr. Dex. Nice to see you. Excitement in the air. First batch of the wedding department new hires here today. Training.”
“That explains it.”
“Miss.” Benny tipped his cap at her. “I’m sure it’s not the first time you’ve heard this, but you bear a striking resemblance to Grace Kelly.”
“You’re too kind.” No, it hadn’t been the first time, but it still made her blush every time.
“I was sweet on the princess.” Now it was his turn to grow pink. “You need anything, anything at all, you come see me, Benny.”
“You’re so sweet.”
Dex nodded to the older man, smiling. “You’ve never said that to me before.”
“You’re not as pretty as she is, either. No offense, Miss…ah…”
“Madison. Thank you.”
“Beautiful name for a beautiful girl. Ah, heart be still.” He waved at them as they walked away and he attended to more people coming into King’s.
“Do you always get that kind of reaction from people?” Dex asked, smiling down at her.
Now it was her turn to warn her heart to stop flip-flopping. What had gotten into her? She would be Mrs. Jacob Turner in just a few weeks, with the frosting on the cake over-the-top wedding, the gold band to match the sparkly engagement ring, and the handsome prominent lawyer for a husband. What girl wouldn’t want that for herself? Happiness all rolled up into one package. What bride, staring down at her wedding date, would be having heart palpitations over a mad scientist?
You, Madison!
She gulped hard.
Chapter 8
The brisk walk to the café next door hadn’t cleared the cobwebs from her shocking thoughts. Not one measly bit.
Sitting across from Dex now, she avoided his stare. She gazed around the café, loving the sleek black furnishings with brilliant jewel colors for the seat cushions. “Gorgeous!” If she could whistle, she would have.
“Yes,” he said softly, bringing her attention to him. “You didn’t answer me. Do you always get that kind of reaction from people?”
“Mostly older folks who remember her.” She shrugged, taking a sip of the cool water in her glass. It soothed her parched throat. “So, what do you suggest?” She buried her head in the menu, not able to focus on a single item.
“Everything and anything. It’s all good. Marcus and his partner, Stu, are incredible chefs. Not a bad meal in the place.”
Pulling the menu down a tad, she peeked over the top at him as he was absorbed in reading the specials. His slightly long blond hair was now tousled from all the times he dragged his hands through it today. He still wore his white lab coat. It seemed a part of him, of who he was, a part he didn’t shed often.
His features were serious as he concentrated. But she liked the strength in them, the solidness about him. Just then he glanced up, capturing her intent gaze. His blue eyes, bold and questioning, searched hers.
“What are you thinking?”
Her breath stayed trapped in her chest. She shook her head, breaking the spell. “Wh-what are you having?” She clamped down on a giggle. No, not now. He’ll know.
“Beef tips in wine. Have you decided yet?”
Somehow she realized he wasn’t referring to just the food. “Roasted chicken?” Yep, that’s you, all right! “Or the turkey dinner. Oh, wait, here’s the sampler. I like to try things.”
His smile came easily, too easy, for her to stop her chest from seizing. “Should I call you Goldilocks?”
A memory slashed across her heart. “My mom called me that sometimes.” She blinked back the sting of tears; she hadn’t heard that in a very long time. Maybe her mother would never utter that nickname again. This time her heart clutched.
“Too hot? Too cold? This one is just right?”
“You do know me,” she said with a jolt. Why did a picture of Mr. Wrong and Mr. Right pop into her head? She chewed her lip as the images disappeared and she stared at Dex. Do not go there!
His chuckle warmed the chilly places inside her.
“Ah…so, Dex…”
“Yes?”
The waiter appeared. “What will the beautiful couple have today?” He winked at her.
It didn’t faze her in the least. Why not? He was dark and handsome; not so tall, but built. There was probably a six-pack under the black shirt. He did nothing for her. She gave him her order and Dex did, too, and off the waiter went with promises of returning soon with their food.
Now, she was alone again with Dex. Well, as alone as she could be with several other tables full of diners, too.
“This is a nice place,” she said lamely.
“Perfect addition to King’s. Right next door. In a few weeks, the wedding department wing will open on the other side.” He nodded his head. “Two more rooms. For special parties. Princesses. And the other is called the Knight Room. Intimate. Elegant. First class. King’s style.”
She blinked. “Seriously? Who comes up with all these terrific ideas?” She swept a hand over the café.
“As the owner, Charlie spearheads the whole operation. But she takes in everyone’s suggestions. She values the ideas of her employees.” Admiration shone in his eyes.
“She’s amazing.”
“Yes, she is.” But a shadow fell over his glance.
“Is it something I said?”
“Look, Madison, I should tell you a few things. First, you asked about who comes up with these id
eas. Well, there’s this new position opening at King’s. I want it.” Determination and desire shone in his eyes.
It made her breathless.
“I’d be on that team, creating things, brainstorming ideas for products, and all things King’s.”
“Of course, you’ll get it. You’re brilliant.”
“It’s not that easy. I need to get the perfume formula down pat, so I can move on. I have hundreds of ideas to brainstorm, refigure, create prototypes, and present them to the team.”
“That’s a problem?”
“I’m not even on the radar.”
Stunned silence pulsed around her and him. “What? But, you’re…so good…so smart.” Why would they overlook Dex?
A flush crept up his neck. “Thanks. It’s complicated. I’m more of a lab rat, the mad scientist, than a leader.”
The waiter surfaced with their food. “Here you go. Sampler for the pretty lady. Beef tips for you, sir. Anything else?”
They thanked him and said they were fine. He bowed slightly before he left and went on to the table in the corner to the group of four giggling women. The noise level increased as they flirted outrageously with the handsome young man.
The steaming hot combination of beef and pulled pork and shredded barbeque chicken sliders and sides on the long narrow plate made her mouth water. “Dex, do they know? I mean about what you want. Have you told them?” Concern grew as he looked away.
He shrugged, carefully unrolling his napkin and silverware.
“Have you shown them your ideas?”
“They’re in the early stages. They haven’t come to fruition yet.”
“They won’t.” That had him jerking to capture her stare. “Dex, you have to get in the game. Everything starts on paper or the computer. Most won’t even garner a second look. Looks good on paper, but not conceivable in the real world. Believe me, I know. The ones that do, will move through the process. But, you can’t sit back and wait. You have to jump in with both feet.”
“Like you?”
That stung. “I did that with my vintage business, yes. I had to make things happen for myself.” The more she talked the more she realized this current situation required the same tenacity. She had to take control of finding her birth mother instead of waiting for the right moment to roll around.
“I’m sorry. That was a low blow.”
She pushed her food around on her plate with her fork. “The truth hurts.” She gulped hard.
He let out a breath. “It does.” He waited a beat. “There’s something more. One time—” He stopped short. “Never mind.”
“What were you going to say?”
“I had a crush on her. On Charlie.” He flushed. “Hero worship, I guess. She and I had this bond, a passion for what did, a drive to bring King’s back from the brink, and a desire to create something that would stand the test of time. A legacy. Something that mattered.”
Madison gasped. A little pang of jealousy sprang up. Reaching out, she touched the back of his hand. It was warm and solid. Just like him. “Dex, that’s what you’re doing. She definitely is, too. But, you—you live and breathe this. At the store. At home. It’s only logical that you and she would be so in sync with each other. You said you had a crush. Not anymore?”
He turned his hand over and clasped hers. “No. It took a long time to realize it was one-sided. I was hurt. I left King’s—”
“Left?”
“For a while. I tried to work for other places. No good. So, I stayed in my lab at the house, mixing and creating things. In the back of my mind, I was doing it for King’s still. I just didn’t acknowledge it.”
“But you came back.”
He rubbed his thumb over her palm. Madison shivered. If only she could withdraw her hand, but she didn’t want to; his touch would end. Light. Warm. Thrilling.
“Dex?” she prompted.
“I made a rash decision. Twice. Once when I left King’s. Again when a family friend came to me for help.”
Shaking her head, she said, “I don’t understand.”
“Candace, the friend, was expecting. The guy was not in the picture. She begged me to marry her. We could make a life together. We’d been friends for years, so why not bring it to the next level.”
“You agreed.” She knew the answer already; she’d heard rumblings about an ex.
“Unfortunately, I did. I was…” He hesitated. “Lost. My parents had died a few months before. My cousin, my best friend, was away on business for weeks on end. I was alone. Vulnerable.”
“You married her?” She tried to pull back her hand, but he held tight.
“I let it get to the last moment. I finally came to my senses. She didn’t love me. She was using me, to save face with her family and friends. I wanted more. That’s when I realized she and I would never work and also how I had harbored feelings for Charlie, but they would never have been returned. Reality hit. Hard.”
Her mind stuck on the word using. If he ever learned about what she wanted to find out through him, he’d hate her. She shook her head, trying to focus on him again. “Oh, Dex. That must have been so difficult. Losing nearly everyone you cared for in such a short time.”
He locked gazes with her. “You’re the first person who really understands that.” He cleared his throat. “That’s when I knew King’s was where I wanted to be. I’m trying to earn my way back into the trusted role I threw away. A prized employee. Charlie assures me, I’ll always be a friend, part of King’s. We’re like a family, all here for the common good.”
“That’s pretty amazing.” She recalled Peg and Rico when she tried to get an interview, Charlie and Griff, and the few employees she’d met. They did seem like a large, tight knit family. A deep yearning reared to life. She wanted a family, too. Her birth mom.
“But, there’s that hesitance about giving me more to do, more to take on. I let them down.”
“And you let yourself down, too.” She sensed it. The disappointment lingered in eyes.
“Bad judgment,” he agreed.
Her heart bounced to her throat and then dropped to her toes. If he ever finds out what she’s really all about and how much she’s hiding from him, he’ll never forgive himself or her?
She felt the color drain from her face. Her mouth tasted like sawdust.
How could she do this to him?
“Here we are, folks,” the cheery waiter said as he cradled the drink pitcher and poured more ice water in their glasses.
Madison broke away from Dex. Her cheeks burned with heat. Shame? Guilt? At being caught? Or hurting Dex? Grabbing her napkin, she couldn’t look the waiter in the eye as he placed her glass in front of her. “Thank you,” she mumbled.
Finally, he finished up and reminded them to ask if they needed anything else. “Good going, Dex,” he said under his breath, nodding his head in her direction just before he left.
Her stomach growled again. Loud and long. She giggled. “That girl, always wanting food. The nerve of her!” Saved by stomach grumblings!
Dex laughed. “You sure there’s not a bobcat in there?”
“It was bad, wasn’t it?” She breathed a sigh of relief that the tension had been broken. In the back of her mind, she swore she’d do everything in her power not to hurt him.
“I must make a note. Tame the girl!”
“No whips please!”
“Whips?” The familiar female voice jerked her out of the now pleasant exchange.
“Charlie?!” Dex and Madison exclaimed at the same time.
“Bingo! That’s me.” She smiled, but as she looked at Madison fully, it faded. “Madison Avenue, right?”
“Yes,” she said, dropping her fork. It landed on her plate with a clatter. “It’s nice to meet you again.” She tried to suppress a giggle. It didn’t work.
“I won’t interrupt your lunch. Benny told me I could find you here, Dex. He saw you walking this way. Stop by my office when you’re done.”
“Problems?” Dex f
rowned.
“No, nothing like that. I need an update on where you stand with the perfume. I’ve got the manufacturer breathing down my neck. Time crunch. His equipment is all geared up and ready to produce. We just need something to produce. And I didn’t mean to come off dismissive yesterday. We were pressed for time for the interviews.”
“Believe me, he’s doing an amazing job,” Madison piped up, trying to help Dex. “So dedicated.”
“As always, I’m sure,” Charlie agreed.
“I’m in awe to watch him.” You could have heard a pin drop.
“Watch him? Dex, care to explain?” Her raised eyebrows directed at Dex clued Madison into her foot-in-mouth disease.
“I hired Madison as my assistant.” He frowned.
“Hired? But Dex,” she shook her head, “you didn’t come to me first to get approval?”
“It’s out of my own pocket.”
“That’s not how King’s does things.” She pasted a smile on her face and turned to Madison. “Enjoy your lunch.” To Dex, she said, “We can discuss this after you eat.”
Why did it sound like doom?
Chapter 9
“I’ll go with you,” Madison insisted.
“No, she’s my boss. It’s my job.” Dex stood at the executive elevators. “You can look around the store while I meet with Charlie. That’s what you wanted, right? Check out the place. Get ideas for your own shop.”
Why did she look green all of a sudden?
“Right. I’ll do that. But, I wish I could help explain.”
He sighed. “Madison, you tried.” And failed. “I’ll face the music. Alone.”
Finally, she nodded. But she waited until he was on the elevator. Her little wave and forced grin was rather cute.
With the doors closed and the pulleys whisking him up to the executive offices, Dex blew out a pent-up breath. How could he tell Charlie he needed Madison? Over the years, he’d brushed away any suggestion of an assistant, claiming he’d rather do it all himself. The time wasted in passing on details and ideas to someone else wasn’t worth it to him. Never had been. Until Madison.
He shook his head, trying to get her out of there. She was heady. And that troubled him. She was a distraction he couldn’t afford, especially now. Would it cost him the new position?
once upon a romance 07 - finding mr right Page 6
