Taste of Love (2 page)

"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.