Heart's Desire (12 page)

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

M
ADDIE
SAT
IN
the back of the Lincoln Town Car as it cruised up North Michigan Avenue toward Spiaggia, the restaurant where she was meeting Alex and the investor. It was after six, and all the lights had come on. The apartment and office buildings glowed as they reflected the setting sun, and Lake Michigan glittered as if the stars had fallen from the sky and were dancing on the surface.

“It’s like a dreamland,” Maddie said to herself, falling back on the soft leather cushions.

“We’re here, miss,” the driver said as they pulled up to the restaurant. The facade was granite, glass and brass, much like most of the buildings along the Magnificent Mile. The driver came around to her side of the car and opened the door. “You just go up the stairs and Spiaggia is on the second floor. You can’t miss it,” he said. “Mr. Perkins is there waiting for you.”

“He is? But I’m still fifteen minutes early.”

“He’s earlier,” the man replied.

Maddie had worn a slim, black linen sheath with long sleeves and a V-neck. A simple cameo on a gold chain hung around her neck. In her ears were pearl studs. Black stockings and black pumps completed the outfit. She carried a vintage silver-mesh evening bag that Mrs. Beabots insisted she borrow.

When Maddie walked up to the reservations desk, she realized that the restaurant was very crowded. The women were beautiful and animated and the men were handsomely dressed, chatting and laughing with each other. There were no children allowed, and Maddie could see why. She knew for a fact she’d never been in one place with so many beautiful, sophisticated people. The restaurant itself was a magnificent orchestration of luxe Italian design executed in tall black marble pillars, glass walls and partitions and gleaming granite.

“I’m meeting my party here. I’m with Mr. Perkins,” Maddie told the hostess.

The tall, auburn-haired hostess smiled. “You must be Miss Strong. Alex is waiting for you at the table. If you’ll just follow me,” she said.

Maddie wondered if Alex came here a great deal.

She was ushered to a linen-covered table for four. Alex was talking on his cell phone and had a martini in front of him. As she approached, his face brightened with a wide smile.

“You look good enough to eat with a spoon,” he said, hanging up his phone and shaking her hand.

“I bet you say that to all your clients,” she retorted as he held her chair for her. She wondered if he could smell her perfume. She’d worn Chanel No. 5. Classic, understated and rich. Or so Mrs. Beabots had told her.

“Trust me. None of my clients look like you.” He sat back down and leaned over conspiratorially. “Our investor is on his way up. My advice is, be yourself. And ask for the moon.”

Alex’s cell phone buzzed. He answered it and hung up quickly. “He’s at the podium.”

“That was the hostess? Calling your cell?”

“Yeah.”

“They do that for everybody?” Maddie took a mental note. It was good customer relations. She could use an idea like that somehow.

“No. I tip big,” he said, gazing past her shoulder. “James,” he shouted over the mounting din and walked a few steps away from the table toward Maddie’s investor.

She turned around in her chair so she could get a good look at the man who was to be her investor. James Stapleton wasn’t what she’d expected. He was shorter than she’d imagined. Weren’t all angels supposed to be tall? He was probably only five foot eight, quite portly and, judging by the lines around his eyes and his heavy jowls, definitely over sixty. His grey hair was thinning on top and he looked as if he needed a haircut. His suit was a brown glen plaid, which did nothing for his rotund physique. But his shirt was snow white, crisp and starched, and he wore a striking blue-patterned tie that helped to accentuate his eyes.

“Well, well, Miss Strong. Happy to meet you,” James said, thrusting his large hand at her. She took it and rose as he moved closer. He placed his other hand over hers, gave their hands a sharp shake and then let go as if they were going out onto the gridiron.

“It’s my pleasure,” she answered sweetly, sitting back down.

James sat opposite Maddie at the table. Alex remained in his seat so that he was positioned between the two of them.

“I trust you had a nice trip into the city,” James asked Maddie.

“I did. It was a lovely night and the sunset on the lake was spectacular.”

James smiled and nodded. “Ah. My favorite sight myself. My wife and I have had a little hole-in-the-wall condo downtown for years so that we can enjoy the lake views.”

“Really?” Maddie’s eyes flew open. “I’ve always dreamed, I mean wondered, what it would be like to live in downtown Chicago.”

“Take my word for it, nothing like it in the world,” James said.

Just then, a waiter appeared to take their drink orders. Alex motioned with his open palm to Maddie first.

“Just a white wine for me.”

The waiter looked at her curiously. Then he glanced at Alex, who shook his head. “Bring her a Kir Royale to start and then I’ll take a look at the wine list. James?”

“Do you have Port Ellen?

“Talisker, sir,” the waiter said. “And I believe Mannochmore. There might be some other single-malt scotch, but I’ll have to ask.”

“Don’t bother. Mannochmore.” James nodded. “Neat.”

“Yes, sir.” The waiter left.

Another waiter arrived and brought bread, olive oil, Parmesan cheese and herbs and mixed their dipping sauce for them. Their dinner waiter arrived and without looking at the menu, Alex ordered a smattering of appetizers for the table.

“Maddie,” Alex said as the bar waiter returned with their drinks, “I gave James all your drawings and elevations for the cafés, and we thought, if it was all right with you, we would start there.”

“Sure,” she said sipping the pink cocktail in a frosted champagne flute. It was sweet and tasted like raspberries mixed with the champagne. “This is good,” she whispered to Alex.

“I thought you’d like it.” He winked.

James clasped his hands together. “I thought it best for us to meet so I can tell you what my concept is to see if this is a good fit for us.”

Maddie was reminded once again that her business deal was by no means a sure thing. Her investor wanted to see if they were a good “fit,” and she knew what that meant. She’d be the one capitulating, and as a general rule, Maddie Strong didn’t give in.

However, this wasn’t a family argument or a disagreement with one of her suppliers. This time, there was more at stake. This man was her key to a large bank account and the chance at her dream of living a life in the city just like all these beautiful and very happy people.

“Here’s the main thing. I’ve decided—just recently, by the way, Alex—to go ahead and put the cafés in downtown Chicago.”

Alex’s eyebrows cranked up in surprise, and though Maddie could tell he was trying to quash his reaction, this announcement meant something to him. And Maddie guessed that it wasn’t good for her. Or Alex.

“This is very expensive real estate, James. When we first talked about it, you said you wanted to go to Evanston and Lincoln Park first. Then, if those worked, on to Kenilworth, Deerfield and even Highland Village. We were going to do one downtown café, but much later.”

James smiled broadly. “I like this young woman’s idea, and I think the downtown crowd will go nuts for her cupcakes. My wife tried that cappuccino blend you sent to Alex. She said it was the best she’s ever had. She’s convinced you’re Italian. I told her you weren’t.”

“No...” Maddie said.

James never took a breath. He just kept talking and didn’t let Maddie or Alex interrupt or slow him down. “I think the downtown crowd is more sophisticated by the minute. Check out these women. They never looked like that back in my day. They want the best and they’re getting it. That’s what I want to push. We have really unique sweets—incidentally, I even thought of changing the name to that. I think it’s genius—and a coffee that’s better than anything else on the market. Everyone is waiting for that. You gotta come here, to Spaggia’s, to get good cappuccino, and what do they charge? Six bucks? Eight? These people will pay anything for the best of the best. So, I think Maddie’s idea of the Italian theme is perfect for Chicago. But downtown Chicago.”

Alex shook his head. “I don’t want to slit my own throat here, but James—the build-outs will be murder.”

“I’ve got a guy who’s working up bids for me now. He did my last two restaurants in Naperville. I put together my own numbers on the ad campaign and how much it will cost to launch the cafés. So, I thought, maybe I should just jump in there with the half-dozen cafés off the bat.”

“Six?” Alex reiterated.

“Yeah.” James took a drink of his scotch. “Here’s the thing. The city is coming back slow from the recession. My guess is that all these beautiful people can’t pay for a Spaggia’s even once a month. Okay. So maybe once a month, but that’s all. In the meantime, they want upscale Italian, but they gotta watch their pennies. So, we give them some unique sweets and really great espresso to tide them over. At top price, because we
are
unique.” He socked Alex’s shoulder playfully. “And, boom, we’re in business. Big-time.”

Alex sipped his martini slowly. “I’m beginning to see your vision.”

James threw back the remainder of his scotch.

Alex picked up the wine list, scanned it, then closed the leather-bound book. Within seconds, as if he had been summoned by radar, the waiter appeared. “Have you chosen a wine for dinner?”

“James, do you like red or white?”

“Red. No Chianti. I’m not big on Italian wines. I guess I should bone up, eh? I doubt they’d have a French wine.”

“Sure they do,” Alex said. “Bring a bottle of Bourquet Gevrey-Chambertin Pinot Noir.”

“The 2005, sir?”

“Yes,” Alex replied.

Maddie didn’t say a word. Because James had come to the meeting with such new ideas, she felt this discussion was out of her league. She didn’t want to do anything to destroy Alex’s hard work. She guessed Alex and Uncle George were right. She’d done her part. Now all they had to do was see eye to eye.

The appetizers arrived, and while Maddie selected several luscious vegetables from the antipasto plate, she kept her ears finely tuned to the conversation.

“Did you see the year-end reports of the suburban coffeehouses I sent you?” Alex asked.

“Dismal. Just deplorable. Several chains are closing their doors.”

Maddie’s eyes flew open. “They are?” No one heard her comment.

James pounded the table with his fist. “That’s what I’m talking about. You gotta see the future. The future is in the city, at least for this concept. Some soccer mom is not going to spring for a five-dollar cupcake for her kid, except for his birthday. But in the city, it’s a different sale. It’s for a woman...” He looked around the room. “Like that one over there. She’s skinny as a rail. No way is she going to stuff her face with junk food or bake a whole cake. She’s going to want something incredible and small. Small indulgences. Oh, yeah. That’s another name I came up with.”

“Not bad. But sounds like one of those chocolate commercials on television,” Alex mused as he finished off his martini and filled his appetizer plate with calamari.

The waiter came with the wine. “May I send your waiter over, sir?”

“Sure. I guess we should order something,” Alex said, winking at Maddie.

They all listened to the specials and placed their orders.

“May I ask a question?” Maddie asked once the waiter had left and the conversation had resumed.

Both men stopped talking and looked at her. She saw panic in Alex’s eyes and curiosity in James’s.

“Sure,” Alex replied. “What is it?”

“Did you get a chance to go over the drawings and elevations that we did? Did you like any of our selections?”

James tossed a concerned glance at Alex but plunged forward. “That’s what Alex and I are discussing. When I first came on board, I was thinking, yeah, sure. How quaint. Suburbs, little Italian cafés, that kind of thing. But now, I’m thinking city.”

Alex rushed in. “Which would be more brass and glass. Granite.”

Maddie nodded. “More like mini versions of this place.”

“Yeah.” James said. “That’s what I’m thinking. Same coffee, same recipes. Your made-to-order concept is going to knock ’em dead.”

“And you want to build more cafés than you originally intended?” Maddie asked.

“Yeah. We’re still doing just the two for now, but I’m thinking in eighteen months, we should be up to six.”

Alex placed his hand over Maddie’s. “Are you okay with all this so far?”

She looked from Alex’s worried face to James’s apprehensive expression. “I’m on board. All the way, gentlemen.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

M
ADDIE
HADN
’
T
KNOWN
it was possible to eat and drink and talk that much and still feel completely energized. She couldn’t say whether it was the gourmet Italian food, the heady French wine or the realization that her dream, times six, was coming to fruition, but she felt as if she could have stayed awake all night long. Granted, she was having to make a lot of compromises, but in the end, her franchises were actually going to happen.

After dinner, she and Alex bid James good-night. Alex paid the bill, and she watched as he laid down six one hundred dollar bills as if a dinner such as this was a matter of course. He then walked her down the stairs to the street, where the hired car was waiting.

Alex smiled at her. “I know James can be a handful. He barely lets anyone talk at all, but Maddie, you have to be so...” He grabbed her arms and nearly hopped up and down. “Elated!”

“I’m not sure about everything that happened. But yes. I am. It went well, right?”

Alex frowned. “It was fantastic. I think he’ll eventually do all six cafés. I think his idea of going into the city and not the suburbs is brilliant.”

“You do? I thought you didn’t like it.”

“Look. I hired your driver for the whole night. Let’s grab a nightcap and then I can explain a few more things. How’s that sound?”

“I’d like that,” she said.

“Take us to the Drake, Edmond,” Alex told the driver as they climbed into the backseat.

They drove up Lake Shore Drive so that Maddie could take in the water and stunning buildings at night. Alex talked about how much he loved the city and pointed out his apartment, which was in a very old complex clustered among several other old and newer buildings, each one more impressive than the last.

“Have you lived here long?” Maddie asked.

“All my life,” Alex replied. “I grew up in that very same building. My parents still live there, except for the winters when they go to Florida. They have a condo in Naples.”

“What does your father do? And your mother?” she asked.

“Dad is an investment banker. He makes money. Lots of it. Mother is on the board of several charities in town. I swear, she’s busier than he is. I always feel I need to make an appointment just to call them.” He paused. “Now that I think about it, I do just that.” He laughed.

“I think it’s wonderful that your mother’s so involved. If it weren’t for people like her, always giving of themselves, so many services and institutions just wouldn’t exist. I hope when I get older and things slow down for me somewhat, I can do more of that kind of thing.”

“Is that on your bucket list?” he asked.

“It’s certainly on my to-do list. That way I know I’ll get it done.”

“Ah, here we are,” Alex said as the driver pulled up to the Drake Hotel.

They walked into the spacious blue-and-gold reception area. “The bar is this way,” Alex said and steered Maddie through an entryway marked Coq d’Or.

The bar was more than half filled with couples and businesspeople, so they were seated at a small table for two. The room was cozy and dark and decorated in wood and red leather captain’s chairs. Alex explained that the bar was opened on December 6, 1933, the day Prohibition was repealed, and it had been a real Chicago landmark ever since. He ordered a Courvoisier cognac for himself and Maddie ordered a cup of herbal tea.

“I’m not much of drinker,” Maddie said unapologetically.

“It’s an acquired taste, the cognac.”

She shrugged, admiring the decor. “Guess I’ve never had the time for this kind of life.”

Alex laid his hand over hers. “I think you did just fine working toward your first million. You have all the rest of your life to enjoy the fruits of your labors.”

She looked down at his hand and was surprised that it didn’t feel inappropriate. It probably should have. This was a business dinner, after all.

Wasn’t it?

Alex removed his hand slowly, as if it was the last thing he wanted to do. Or was it that he hadn’t realized he’d put it there? Hadn’t he meant to touch her? Was it just a natural gesture for him, something he’d done with dozens of clients, consoling and assuring them? The gesture was certainly part of his charm, which was considerable.

He’s so different from Nate, and yet he’s not....

Nate held people’s physical lives in his hands. Alex was responsible for their financial well-being. Both men were earnest, intelligent, committed and handsome.

And suddenly I have two potential romances in my life. Or do I?

As far as Maddie could tell, Nate only intended to stick around for the year of his contract. Then he would leave.

Just like before.

“So, tell me, Maddie, what do you want to do with your life?”

“As in...”

His smile was impish and his eyes gleamed as if he’d just discovered a marvelous secret. “I have this theory that we all come to this earth with an agenda. A list of hopes and wishes and dreams, if you will. Some of us tromp right out there and start accomplishing things practically in grade school. Those people become gymnastics stars and cut records before they’re through puberty. Others work their butts off all their lives and don’t get a shot at their golden rings until they reach retirement. Or older,” he said, arching a brow. “Like Colonel Sanders. Then there are wunderkinds like you. This new breed of young geniuses who transform the internet while they’re in college—they boggle the mind. Or these kids who invent some new electronic game at the age of fourteen.”

He leaned closer, so that his eyes delved right into hers, capturing her attention and making her believe that for him, in this moment, she was the only woman in the world.

“That’s what I admire in you, Maddie. You were able to take a common ordinary thing like a cupcake and see it in a whole new way. You expanded its dimension and possibilities. You took it to a whole new level, which no one had done in a retail situation.”

“You,” she said, swallowing carefully, “admire me?”

“Yes, I do.”

He peered into her eyes, holding her captive, allowing her entry to his thoughts, even his heart. Maddie was stunned.

And pleased.

She felt her smile growing until her face beamed with a radiance that warmed her cheeks. “You know, I love my little town, and my dear friends are irreplaceable. But there’s a flip side that a lot of people don’t see or want to acknowledge.”

“Which is...”

“Jealousy. If someone is different, or odd, or eccentric—and believe me, that’s almost a requisite in my town—too many times they are ostracized and no one will befriend them or help them. So many people are afraid of not being ‘normal,’ when the truth is there is no such thing as ‘normal.’ When I was young and being raised by a single mother, most of the kids in school treated me like a pariah. Except for Sarah, Liz, Isabelle and a few others. They were different then, and they still are. They weren’t afraid to be seen with me. Now I can see that we’re all creative and energetic. Or maybe it’s just that we’re not afraid to try new things.”

“I believe that’s called courage.”

“Possibly,” she said, lowering her gaze to her tea. “We support each other a great deal. As I told you, one of my best friends is eighty years old.”

“Yes, you did,” he said.

“Well, now that I think about what you said, about respecting me and all, I realize my friends respect me, too.”

“I should think so. You’re so warm and approachable. I mean, I’ve never met a woman like you.”

“How’s that?”

Alex sniggered to himself, looked at her askance and said, “Maddie, you’re so bright, and though you have your own ideas, you aren’t put off by other peoples’ opinions. You handled James remarkably well, and that takes understanding, patience and genuine concern for other people. Likeable. That’s what you are. When I see you I just want to...hug you!”

She glanced down shyly at her tea, then her eyes flew to his face. “Would that be a quick hug or a really good long hug?”

His jocular expression melted off his face and was replaced with a solemn gaze. “A long hug. A really long hug. One that would last about, uh, I dunno, between an hour and all night long.”

“All night long?” She toyed with him. She didn’t care if he knew she was playing with him. She was having fun. And it felt really good. “That’s sounds serious.”

“Not as serious as it could get,” he said, leaning across the table, his expensive silk tie ends brushing across the wood, and he moved toward her.

Maddie met him more than halfway and pressed her lips next to his. His lips were soft and strong all at the same time. He tasted like burned sugar and she could only guess that was the cognac that still ringed his lips. And like the brandy, his kiss was intoxicating. She felt as if her mind had been vacuumed out of her skull and in this void were only lightning synapses that exploded like fireworks igniting her responses, both voluntary and involuntary. She’d been gripping the arms of her chair, digging her fingernails into the leather, but after several thunder bursts in her head, her hands reached for his nape as if they had a mind of their own.

His neck was warm, even hot to the touch, and she wondered if she had created this in him. Or was it just his normal reaction whenever he kissed anyone?

And who knew how many women a man like Alex had kissed in his lifetime? She’d seen the smorgasbord of gorgeous women at the restaurant that night and as far as she was concerned, she hadn’t the slightest idea why Alex would want to be kissing her and not one of those tall, fashionably dressed dreamgirls instead.

When Alex pulled away from the kiss, Maddie’s eyes were still closed. She was still trapped in the magical moment and hadn’t come back down to earth yet.

“Maddie.”

She thought she heard Alex say her name but wasn’t sure.

“I’m sorry, Maddie,” he clearly said.

She opened her eyes. She was back. She removed her hands. She scooted back in her chair and smiled at him.

“I take back what I said about the hugging thing,” Alex said, clearing his throat.

Feeling as if she’d been doused with a glass of ice water, she looked around the bar to see if anyone had witnessed them kissing. You couldn’t be too careful these days. People took pictures on their iPhones all the time. The night truly had a thousand eyes. Now the nights had video as well.

“Take it back?” she questioned.

“Yeah. I think the kissing thing is much better.” He smiled and moved his chair closer to hers. Then he put his hand on her neck. He pulled her face next to his. “Now the problem is that once I’ve tasted nirvana, I’m hooked,” he whispered.

He kissed her again. “Maddie. You are so sweet.”

“No,” she breathed. “It’s your cognac.”

“Trust me, it’s definitely you.”

Alex had just pulled away from Maddie when the waiter appeared and deposited their bill.

“We take all major credit cards as well as cash, sir,” the slender man said. Then he coughed. Loudly.

Alex grinned at Maddie. “I think he wants us to leave.”

Alex took out some bills and tossed them on the tray and they rose.

They walked out of the bar arm in arm.

The Lincoln Town Car pulled up to the curb and the doorman went to the car and opened the backdoor.

Maddie regarded Alex thoughtfully before getting in the car. “You live in the world I always wanted for myself. You live the life I want. Honestly. But this dream of mine is coming at me so fast, and until just a few minutes ago, I thought we were just doing a business deal. I wasn’t ready for...this.”

“Well, I’ve been hoping. You’re the reason I’ve worked so hard on this deal, Maddie. You wanted this and I wanted it for you. I am so happy it’s come together so well. Believe me, it’s not done yet and there is still a great deal left up to fate. If those first two cafés don’t make it, we’re back to square one. It’s not over, by any means. I won’t let your ship sink,” Alex said earnestly.

“I believe you, Alex,” she replied. “I believe
in
you.”

“That’s all I wanted to hear,” he said quietly. “Still, I don’t know what got into me, kissing you like that. If I offended you, I’m sorry.”

“You didn’t.”

“Good. Because I’m not sorry. It was pretty incredible. But I have to confess that from the second I saw you in my office, I did have an overwhelming desire. No, sorry, a craving to just hug you. Really tight. Yeah. Squeeze you tight. That’s what I wanted. I admit it.”

She laughed. “You’re funny.”

He touched her face with his forefinger, “And you are unforgettable.”

He kissed her good-night and stood aside while she climbed into the car. Alex looked at the driver. “Be careful on the Toll Road. She’s precious cargo.”

“Yes, sir.”

Alex leaned down and waved at Maddie through the glass. “I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Okay,” she said. “Thanks for the wonderful dinner. And tonight. I’ll never forget it.”

“I hope you don’t,” he said as the driver started the engine and pulled into the lane.

Maddie turned around to watch out of the rear window.

Alex remained on the curb waving to her until she was out of sight.