Page 45 of Recipe for Temptation

“Absolutely.” Asha uncrossed her legs and glided to her feet with a sensual, feline grace that would make any man drool.

“I’m dying to see how your staff will decorate the garden,” Asha told Michael. “They did such a fabulous job for Marcus and Samara’s wedding. It’s hard to imagine them topping themselves.”

Michael flashed a grin. “Then you’re in for a real treat. I met with them on Saturday, and I think you’ll be very pleased with what they have in mind.”

“I don’t doubt it,” Asha said with a lazy smile.

Reese silently berated herself for feeling a sharp stab of jealousy when Asha linked her arm through Michael’s.

“Michael,” Celeste said tightly, “where’s Grant?”

“He had to make a few phone calls. Sorry—I meant to tell you when I first came out.”

“That’s okay. You were obviously distracted.” Shooting one last withering look at Asha, Celeste muttered an excuse about having a headache and stalked back into the house.

Michael cocked a brow at his father. “Did I miss something?”

Chuckling dryly, Sterling waved him off. “Go on with Asha. Reese and I are gonna sit out here, sip lemonade and get better acquainted. I hope that’s okay with you, Reese?”

She gave him her sunniest smile. “I’d like that very much.”

Michael looked from one to the other, eyes narrowed. “We won’t be long,” he said curtly, and strode off with Asha.

Chapter Fifteen

Michael was still in a foul mood that evening.

Nursing his second glass of merlot, he cast a surly glance around the long dinner table, which had been set with Sterling’s best china and decorated with fresh flowers from the garden. Ms. Frizell, with minor input from Michael, had prepared a lavish five-course feast fit for royalty.

Everyone seemed to be having a good time. Presiding at the head of the table, Sterling engaged Grant in a spirited debate about the best golf courses in Georgia versus Minnesota. Marcus and Samara had their hands full with the twins, alternately cajoling the boys to eat their vegetables and laughing at their antics. Even Celeste and Asha were being civil to each other, honoring their unspoken agreement never to argue in front of their grandchildren.

And then there was Reese.

Reese, whose radiant smiles and engaging personality made it impossible to treat her like an outsider.

In brooding resignation, Michael watched her work her charm on his family, laughing and bantering with that natural ease he’d grown to admire. Even his nephews fell under her spell, giggling at the goofy faces she made at them and vying for her attention.

Michael couldn’t take his eyes off her. In contrast, Reese had barely spared him a glance all evening.

Earlier, he’d returned from meeting with Asha to find Reese and his father right where he’d left them on the veranda, sipping lemonade and sharing a laugh like old friends. Michael knew the verdict even before Sterling met his gaze and mouthed: She’s a keeper, Mike.

Those four unforgettable words, never before uttered by his father, had plunged Michael into an even blacker mood—a volatile cocktail of anger, frustration and longing. And the more Reese ignored him over dinner, the worse his mood became.

After dinner, everyone gravitated to the backyard as dusk approached. While the others roamed the landscaped grounds, Michael stayed on the veranda under the pretext of making some phone calls. He checked his voicemail messages, then dialed the restaurant to see how things were going. After speaking to his sous chef for a few minutes, he hung up just as he received a text from Lexi.

How’s the family visit going? Is the diva still breathing?

Michael couldn’t suppress a wry chuckle. Lexi knew all about his parents’ acrimonious relationship with Asha Dubois. She’d often had Michael in stitches as she concocted slapstick scenarios in which Sterling and Celeste plotted to get rid of Asha, only to be thwarted at every turn by the “diva who wouldn’t die.”

Smiling, Michael typed back:

The diva’s alive and well. And fine as hell.

You sound just like Q.

Low blow.

Sorry. Couldn’t resist. Anyway, some friends and I are meeting Q for drinks. Wanna come? You can keep your boy in line.

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