Taste of Love

Chapter One

Madison looked in the mirror as she brushed her long brown hair, gathering it all in one hand. She put the brush down, and after a series of twists and turns, her hair was in the ever present sloppy bun that she always wore to work.

Madison's thoughts were running through what needed to get done. All the meat had been ordered the previous day, but the produce order had yet to be placed. She mentally listed off the specials that they would be having over the next week. She would have to compile a list of fruits and vegetables tonight at work.

What else? The new bartender. She was going to have to sit down and have a little chat with him about his attitude toward the male patrons. He was great with the women, even though his flirting tended to get a little out of hand, but he was distant with the men that sat at the bar. He treated them as though they were an inconvenience to him, even though it was likely costing him tips.

Yup, he definitely needed an attitude adjustment, and if he didn't like it, there were plenty of others lining up for his job.

Madison took one last look in the mirror. Satisfied with her appearance, she returned to her bedroom to finish getting dressed. She wore the same thing, day after day. Black pants, black shirt. Her black chef coat was waiting at the restaurant for her. There was no need to bring it home, for each day all of the laundry was sent out to be cleaned.

Finally Madison was ready to head out the door. She walked the twelve blocks to her restaurant, taking the same comfortable route that she took every day. Along the way, she waved to the people she knew; the corner florist outside watering her stock, the older gentleman that worked the newsstand outside of her favorite coffee shop, the guy that sold the knock-off purses the block over from her restaurant. In a city as big as New York, it was nice that there were some constants, people that you could count on seeing every day.

As she rounded the corner, Madison noticed a small crowd milling around the entrance to her restaurant. She quickly checked her watch and noted that she was three minutes late. She quickened her pace a little, digging through her shoulder bag to find her keys.

"Hey guys, sorry I'm late. I must have been daydreaming on the way here." Madison apologized as she unlocked the door to The TigerLily, the restaurant that she had owned for the past year.

"Three minutes late boss, you're slipping! What kind of example are you setting for the rest of us?" the head waiter asked.

Madison looked at Austin. He was a foot taller than her, and worked out every morning before he came into work. Next to him, she looked like a tiny bird who should be intimidated. Instead, she stood straighter and looked him right in the eye. "I'm quite certain I slip up less than you. And don't forget who signs your paychecks."

A collective "oooh" rose from the employees standing in the street.

Austin nodded in agreement. The rest of the employees headed inside to get started on their opening duties. They were used to the playful banter between the two friends.

Austin held the door open for Madison, smiling as she passed under his arm. "You win. You always win."

"And don't you forget it," she smiled. "Now get to work."

She tried to sound like she was giving harsh orders, but Austin was the one person that she didn't need to tell what to do. He had been her friend since high school and her head waiter since she opened the doors to the restaurant. He was truly one of the hardest workers she had ever met, and the only one that Madison entrusted the restaurant to in her rare times of absence.

While the rest of the employees busied themselves preparing to open for the day, Madison went to her office to get a few things done. She placed her produce and liquor orders, then printed out all of the employee checks. Knowing that they would not need her in the kitchen for a few hours, she busied herself paying bills. As constant as the movement seemed in the kitchen and floor of the restaurant, it was just as busy in the back office, where the piles of paperwork seemed to multiply like rabbits the moment she turned her back.

Just before the start of the dinner crowd, Madison called the new bartender into her office. She expected his reaction to be defensive, so she was prepared to nip it in the bud with some serious leverage. She told him that he only had one last chance to prove himself. She had a stack of bartender applications on her desk, where he could clearly see them. The message was clear: many would love to have his job, so it was time for him to straighten up his act. There was no way she was going to put up with someone who didn't treat her customers well.

Madison had always made a conscious effort to insist that her staff be polite and respectful. There had been too many times when she had dined at an upscale restaurant where she was treated horribly and vowed to never go back. Her business was finally starting to flourish, and she couldn't afford to jeopardize that with staff that wasn't on the same page of customer service.

After the meeting, Madison grabbed her chef jacket and went to the kitchen to assist the other chefs. She looked striking, even though her outfit was so simple. Black was definitely her color. Unlike the others who wore black on black, Madison had white piping following the edges of her jacket, making her stand out from the rest.

Orders began pouring in, keeping everyone in the restaurant on their toes. Whenever they got caught up in the kitchen, Madison would slip out to the dining room and greet her guests, making sure that everyone's meals were created to their satisfaction. She liked to add that personal touch whenever possible, and she had made friends with quite a few of the regulars by doing this.

People rarely left her restaurant dissatisfied. That was just one reason why The TigerLily was rapidly becoming one of the trendiest restaurants in New York City.



Cameron Rome sat in his manager's office and stared out at the beautiful view overlooking Central Park. But he was too mad to really see it. "This is shit, Riley! The songs they are asking me to do are ridiculous. I'm twenty-five f*cking years old and they want me to sing about some teenage love? What the hell?" He ran his hands through his black, short and spiky hair.

"Look Cameron, calm down. I'm sure it isn't that bad," Riley Sage told his client. He was used to Cameron's rants.

"It isn't that bad? Tell me what it would sound like for me to sing these lyrics. 'Baby let me hold your hand while we walk on the beach in the sand, I want to look into your eyes all day, we'll be together, we'll find a way.' Come on! It sounds like we are two kids, and our parents don't want us to date. I'm a man, Riley! If I'm going to sing about a woman, it's going to be about us f*cking or something." Cameron's voice was getting louder and louder.

Riley took a deep breath. Sure, the lyrics weren't the best, but they weren't horrible. "I'll see what I can do. Besides, it's not like that song will be released as a single, it'll just be a filler track."

"You're missing the point! I'm too old to be singing the bubble gum shit." Cameron pounded his fist on Riley's desk as his fury finally overflowed his common sense. "Fix this or there is no record!"

Before Riley could reply, Cameron stormed out of his office and slammed the door.

He stomped past the receptionist and out into an empty hallway. He stood waiting for an elevator that felt like it would never get there. Impatience took over, and he repeatedly pushed the down arrow, as if by some miracle it would make the elevator arrive sooner. When the doors opened he rushed in, not waiting for the occupants to get off first, and then pointedly ignored their New York glares.

As he got into the hired car that was waiting for him, Cameron's phone rang. When he saw the number on the screen, he groaned. Could this day get any worse? But if he didn't answer, she would call again and again.

Cameron sighed as he answered.

"Cameron dear, how are you doing?" his mother asked sweetly.

"I'm fine, Mother," he said. She always expected such formality, which didn't fit his rocker image. He didn't bother to put any sweetness into his voice - he didn't care if she knew he was perturbed. She probably wouldn't care anyway.

"To what do I 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 chatted away, loud and excited, giving Cameron a killer headache.

Once at the restaurant, Cameron had hoped that Alexandra Lee would at least quiet down a little. The louder she got, the quieter he got, hoping that she would take the hint. People dining at the tables around theirs kept looking over and glaring at the loud woman, much to Cameron's dismay.

"Wow! You're really famous! Everyone keeps staring at you," she told Cameron.

"Something like that," he muttered. His day just couldn't get any worse.



"Hey boss, sorry to bother you, but there is a rather loud and obnoxious woman out there, and she's talking so loud that it's bothering the patrons at the tables surrounding hers."

Madison looked up at Leo, one of her best waiters. He was a little flushed with what looked like frustration. "What would you like me to do about it?" he asked.

Madison continued to bread the chicken as she thought about the dilemma. "Well, you need to be very diplomatic about it in order to not offend her. Offer them the table by the fireplace. It's a little more out of the way. Make up something about it being more romantic or something." She paused and looked up at him. "But please, be very gentle, we don't want to upset anyone."

"Yes ma'am. You can trust me to handle this properly," he said with a smile.

"I know I can. Also, offer the tables around them a free appetizer or dessert once you move them, in order to help make up for the disruption of their dinners."

Leo nodded again and left the kitchen. Madison turned back to the chicken that she was preparing, pleased to have a staff she could rely on.



"Sir, please, I mean no disrespect. We just thought you might be more comfortable by the fireplace," Leo tried to explain once the gentleman started raising his voice.

"Do you know who I am? And you're trying to put me in the back of the restaurant where you sit the rejects?" Cameron yelled, not caring that he was causing more of a scene by carrying on than if he had just moved. This day was one for the record books, that was for sure.

"I would like to speak to the manager," he demanded, standing up and throwing his black fabric napkin onto the table.

"Sir, please. If you will just take your seat, I will go get the manager, and we can work this all out peacefully," Leo tried to reason.

Cameron glared at the waiter and walked to the kitchen. He slammed through the swinging doors, with Leo following right behind him, still trying to reason with him. "Who is in charge here?" he shouted, startling the kitchen staff and making them all look up.

Madison whispered something to the chef standing next to her, telling him what needed to be done to finish the dish she was preparing. She approached the man that had just interrupted the sanctuary of the kitchen. Her walk was graceful and her mood unflappable. She seemed completely calm and in charge.

"Good evening, I am Madison. If there is a problem, we can step into my office and discuss it." She motioned to a hallway that led to her office.

"I said that I want to speak to the person in charge, not some chef," Cameron declared, looking at her as though she was stupid.

Madison lifted her chin the slightest bit. "Well, I own this restaurant, so that would make me the person in charge," she told him, trying not to sound too condescending.

Cameron chuckled in disbelief. "Listen lady, is your husband here? I think this is a little out of your league."

That sent Madison over the edge. Customer or not, she didn't need anyone putting her down, especially not in front of her employees. She stood taller, not backing down from this chauvinist. But at the same time, she refused to stoop to his level, so she kept her response as calm as possible.

"I told you that I own this restaurant. Whenever there is a problem, I handle it."

"Do you know who I am?" Cameron was furious.

She raised an eyebrow and looked at him for a moment. "Well, from the way you're acting, I'm assuming that you are sitting at the table with the woman I was hoping to discreetly move."

"Lady, you're messing with the wrong person. My name is Cameron Rome, and I can make or break your restaurant," he threatened.

"Well, how nice for you, Mr. Rome. I'm surprised that your ego squeezed through the door with you when you came in." She took a deep breath, still determined not to lose her cool. The fact that she was so calm seemed to rattle the man in front of her, and she liked that very much. "Now I think it would be best if you and your companion both left my restaurant before I have to call the police."

"Lady, you just messed with the wrong person," he shot back at her before storming back out the kitchen doors.

Madison turned around and faced the silent kitchen. "Okay, everyone. Back to work, show's over. Austin, make sure those tables all get a free round of drinks for the disruption. Leo, if you are caught up on your tables, please meet me in my office." Leo nodded and followed his boss.



"Come on, let's go." He grabbed Alexandra Lee by the elbow.

"But we haven't even eaten yet. What's going on Cameron?" Alexandra Lee was confused.

"Shut up! Just shut up! Please!" Cameron had long lost his patience. He dragged Alexandra Lee to the door and hailed a cab. "Here's her address, and here's thirty bucks. That will more than cover the trip, plus a nice additional tip for having to listen to her." Cameron shoved her into the taxi and shut the door. He tapped on the roof and set the cab in motion.

Just as the taxi pulled away, his car pulled up. He sank into the back seat and buried his head in his hands. They'd all made fools of him in one day; the record company, his manager, his mother, his date, and now that restaurant owner. That wasn't something he took lightly.



"Leo, I'm sure that you handled everything properly, but I do need to know what was said out there." Madison sat down behind her desk and gestured for Leo to sit in the chair on the other side. The waiter's hands were shaking, and he looked both helpless and furious.

"I did what you told me. I offered them the table by the fireplace as it was nice and cozy, and more romantic. The woman looked very appreciative and was ready to move, but the man took great offense to it. He asked if I knew who he was, and to be quite honest, he looked kind of familiar...but I really don't know who he was." He paused. "I hope I didn't ruin anything."

"No, you handled it well from the sounds of it. Some people just have anger issues." She turned on her computer. "What did he say his name was again? Cameron Davis?"

"Cameron Rome," Leo corrected her.

Madison pulled up her Google search and entered the name. She hit enter and was amazed at how many results turned up. "Oh my!" She clicked on some of the links. "Looks like Mr. Rome is a famous singer." She looked over to Leo, who stood up and looked over her shoulder as she clicked a few more of the search results.

"Oh, hey, I know this song. I just never knew who sang it," he said.

"I know it too..." She started to hum the melody of the song.

"If I'd known he was that famous, I would have just let you handle it. Maybe you wouldn't have screwed it up as bad as I did," Leo said with regret.

Madison smiled at him for the first time since the incident began. "No Leo, you did just fine. I'm sure your words and actions were impeccable. We'll get through this, don't worry." Madison reassured him, though she secretly hoped that Cameron Rome didn't make good on his threats, just when business was finally booming.