Page 137 of Chemistry: The Chemist

“U-uh… Hello.”

“Now, wasn’t that easy?” I asked, close enough to her face so only she and I could hear.

“I can think of something much more satisfying and easi?—”

“Rugger.”

“Hello, Chemistry.” She sighed, falling in line though she’d much rather be defiant.

“That’s better.”

I patted my palm against the side of her face, gently. Rugger was a fucking headache, but she had my heart. When I looked at her pretty face, I saw so much of me. If there was any chance a woman could head the family business, it was her. I believed it wholeheartedly. But, unfortunately, they weren’t given the opportunity.

“Eden, everyone. Everyone, Eden.”

I’d made my rounds and introduced Eden to the people she’d encountered most. The people who meant the most to me. At a later time, I’d be sure Mother and Father Franklin had a chance to chat with her. For now, they were too busy trying to stay awake. Their bedtime was at seven, exactly when dinner started.

Everyone around us had fallen back into conversation by the time Rugger and Eden had been properly introduced. I wasn’t sure if the other conversations had ever stopped. Maybe it was time that stood still when a woman I love shunned another I loved. Or, maybe it was everything around me. I wasn’t too sure, but something had stopped. Maybe it was my heart.

Salads were the first on the table. The menu had been planned months ahead of time. Roaman had chosen her favorites but gave wiggle room for those who might’ve preferred things that weren’t on her shortlist. She was the most accommodating of them all. Had it been anyone else, they wouldn’t have given a damn what anyone else preferred. I couldn’t say I would’ve either.

Eden chose a Caesar salad. I went with the house selection. Though mine looked and smelled divine, I picked off her plate until I’d had a decent helping.

“Now… yours.”

She pulled my plate in her direction and began forking my greens. Suddenly, I was interested in the salad I’d chosen again.

“It’s good.”

“It is,” she agreed. “What kind of dressing is this?”

“Rhea makes the dressings from scratch. I’m afraid I’ll botch the name and disappoint her if I try to pronounce it.”

“I’ll have to get this recipe.”

It was creamy and rich, thick in texture with hints of garlic and citrus.

“I’ll make sure it gets to you. She’s been creating a cookbook for the girls since they were babies. She has over five hundred recipes, now.”

“Seriously?” Eden’s eyes blossomed like flowers.

“Rhea!” I belted, grabbing hold of her attention.

“Yes, son?”

“I was telling Eden about your recipes. You’re up to five hundred or so now, correct?”

“Oh, Chemistry, you’re behind. I’m well into six hundred. The last time we chatted about the book was over a year ago. It’s grown tremendously since then.”

“Does dad know? Or has he been around for the results, because it doesn’t look like he’s had anything to eat all month,” Royce pointed out. “Are you on a diet we don’t know about, old man? Preparing to look good on a beach? I need that amount of discipline.”

Clicking his tongue, my father sucked his tongue. “Not voluntarily.”

Worry lines creased my face. Tonight was Roaman’s night. Her heart wouldn’t be able to stand the bomb our father would drop on it.

“I’ve de–” I was cut off almost instantly.

“I’m moving forward with the Berkeley plan. Roulette is expanding. Two sister-establishments. Securing locations is the next step. I have two in mind, both currently owned and operated by others.”

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