Worth the Risk

kidding! You said he was as friendly as a scorpion.”
    “I thought so at first. It’s just that he doesn’t speak English that well so he doesn’t say much. He came here this afternoon with Rick Fullerton to pick out marionberries for a special dessert. Rick said my torte was superb and asked for the recipe.”
    “He did? That’s—that’s amazing.” Lexi couldn’t believe Rick would ask anyone for a recipe but Amber wouldn’t make it up.
    “Monsieur Brossard said he’d be ‘honored’ to have me work for him.” Amber grinned. “Honored. That was exactly what he said. Rick was really impressed with me and thought I should have won. They asked if I wanted a part-time job in the pastry kitchen.”
    Marché hired Amber. The words repeated in her brain like a chant. Marché hired Amber. Marché hired Amber. This was just as big a tribute as winning the contest. A well-known pastry chef from Paris wanted her sister to work with him. How could Lexi say no?
    “Oh my gosh! I’m so proud of you. I don’t know what to say.” Lexi put both arms around Amber and hugged her tight. “You’re amazing.”
    Her sister really was special. She didn’t see the world the same way Lexi did, but she had enough confidence in herself to pursue what she wanted.
    She had found a way to prepare for next year’s algebra course without going to summer school. How could Lexi deny Amber this opportunity?
    “Joey said he would like to work full-time at City Seeds,” Amber said as she implored Lexi with pleading eyes. “I’ll pay him out of what I make.”
    “I’m a little concerned about your health,” Lexi said gently. “Being at a restaurant like Marché is going to be a major temptation.”
    “No, it’s not. Monsieur Broussard tastes every dessert himself. He doesn’t trust anyone else’s opinion. He told me so.”
    “Okay. What about the other food? Marché is known for its cuisine.”
    “I swear I won’t eat anything I shouldn’t. I’m only there for four hours a day. That’s barely time enough to do my own work.”
    Lexi didn’t take a second to think it over. “Okay, but if you develop health issues or don’t study, I’m going to insist that you quit.”
    Amber stood up. “I’m going to start on the CDs right after I take my blood sugar.”
    “Then let’s eat,” Lexi told her.
    “I had to eat earlier,” Amber said. “You were late and I was starving.” Amber kissed her cheek. It was the first time her sister had kissed her in… Lexi couldn’t recall how long it had been. Seemed like a year.
    Lexi waited until Amber left the room to pick up the telephone and call Brad. It was a weeknight and in the middle of the dinner hour. He would have his cell phone off, so she could leave a message without having to talk to him personally.
    She didn’t want Brad to hear about Amber’s job and think Lexi had sent her sister to the competition. Even though Houston was a large city, the restaurant community was tight-knit.
    The phone rang twice and Brad answered, taking Lexi by surprise. “Westcott.”
    “Brad? It’s Lexi Morrison.”
    “ The Lexi Morrison?” he teased.
    “Yes. Sorry to call you in the middle of rush hour.”
    “S’okay. I’m in my office watching the lion’s den. I was about to call you.”
    “Really?” Lexi was stunned; it was the last thing she expected.
    “Have you eaten? How would you like to catch a late dinner?”
    “No, I haven’t eaten,” she managed to mumble. “I’d like that.” She could wait until they were together to tell him about Amber’s job.

    The waiter at the Mexican restaurant Brad had chosen strolled up to them, ready to take their order.
    “I’ll have a Texas Tornado,” Brad told him. “What about you? Want to try the drink that won first prize in the mixology contest, or would a traditional margarita be better?”
    “I’ll try the Tornado,” she told the waiter, and he left to fill their order.
    “Was your bar—mixologist disappointed he didn’t win?”
    “Probably, but he was a good sport, the way Amber was.”
    This was her opening, Lexi realized. “Speaking of Amber, she’s the reason I called you.”
    “Really?” His blue eyes narrowed speculatively. “Changed your mind about letting her take a summer job at Black Jack’s?”
    “Not exactly. She got a part-time job on her own. At Marché with Monsieur Broussard.”
    “You’re kidding.” He started to laugh. “How’d that happen?”
    Thankful he had taken the news