Susan Mallery - Delicious

The first book in the Buchanans series, 2006

PENNYJACKSON KNEW that it was probably wrong to be so excited to see her ex-husband come crawling back, but she was willing to live with the character flaw.

You know hes going to want to hire you, her friend Naomi said.

Oh, yeah. The sweet smell of validation. Penny leaned back in her chair and considered the possibilities. I want him to beg. Not in a vicious, I hate your guts way, but more as a

Show of support for divorced women everywhere? Naomi asked.

Penny laughed. Exactly. I suppose that makes me petty and small.

Maybe, but youre looking especially fabulous today, if that helps.

A little. Penny smoothed the front of her loose sweater and glanced at the clock. Were meeting for lunch downtown. A neutral location-no memories, good or bad.

Stay away from the good ones, Naomi warned her. You always were a sucker where Cal was concerned.

That was so three years ago. Im completely over him. Ive moved on.

Right. Naomi didnt look convinced. Dont think about how great he looks in his clothes, or out of them. Instead remember how he broke your heart, lied about wanting children and trampled your fragile dreams.

Easy enough, Penny thought, a flicker of annoyance muscling in on her good mood.

Nearly as bad, four years ago shed applied for a job as a cook in Buchanans, one of Cals familys restaurants. The job had been strictly entry-level-she would have been in charge of salads. There had been ten other applicants. Worried she wouldnt make the cut, Penny had asked her then-husband to put in a good word for her with his grandmother. Hed refused and she hadnt gotten the job.

This time the job is coming to me, Penny said. I intend to take advantage of that. And him. In a strictly business way, of course.

Of course, Naomi echoed, not sounding the least bit convinced. Hes trouble for you. Always has been. Be careful.

Penny stood and reached for her purse. When am I not?

Ask for lots of money.

I promise.

Dont think about having sex with him.

Penny laughed. Oh, please. That isnt an issue. Youll see.

PENNY ARRIVED EARLY, then stayed in her car until five minutes after the appointed time. A small, possibly insignificant power play on her part, but she figured shed earned it.

She walked into the quiet leather-and-linen bistro. Before she could approach the hostess, she saw Cal standing by a booth in the back. They might have friends in common, and live in the same city, but since shed done her darnedest to avoid close proximity to him they never ran into each other. This lunch was going to change that.

Hi, she said with a breezy smile.

Penny. He looked her over, then motioned to the other side of the booth. Thanks for joining me.

How could I refuse? You wouldnt say much over the phone, which made me curious. She slid onto the seat.

Cal looked good. Tall, muscled, the same soulful eyes she remembered. Just sitting across from him caused her body to remember what it had been like back when things had been good and theyd been unable to keep their hands off each other. Not that she was interested in him in that way. Shed learned her lesson.

Plus, she couldnt forgive the fact that in the three years theyd been apart, he hadnt had the common courtesy to get fat or wrinkled. Nope, he was gorgeous-which was just like a man.

Still, he needed her help. Oh, yeah, that part was very cool. While theyd been married the message had been she wasnt good enough. Now he wanted her to save the dayor the restaurant, in this case. While she planned to say yes, eventually, she was going to enjoy every second of making him beg.

The Waterfront is in trouble, he said, then paused as the waitress came by to take their order.

When the woman left, Penny leaned back in the tufted seat of the booth and smiled. Id heard it was more than in trouble. Id heard the place was done for. Hemorrhaging customers and money.

She blinked, going for an innocent expression. No doubt Cal would see through her attempt and want to strangle her. But he couldnt. Because he needed her. Was, in fact, desperate for her help. How she loved that in a man. Especially in Cal.

Things have been better, he admitted, looking as if he hated every second of the conversation.

The Waterfront is the oldest restaurant in the infamous Buchanan dynasty, she said cheerfully. The flagship. Or it used to be. Now you have a reputation for bad food and worse service. She sipped her water. At least thats the word on the street.

Thanks for the update.

His jaw tightened as he spoke. She could tell he was furious about this meeting. She had an idea of what he was thinking-of all the chefs in all of Seattle, why did it have to be her?

She didnt know either, but sometimes a girl couldnt help catching a break.

Your contract is up, he said.

She smiled. Yes, it is.

Youre looking for a new position.

Yes, I am.

Id like to hire you.

Five little words. Words that werent significant on their own, but when joined together, could mean the world to someone. In this case, her.

Ive had other offers, Penny said calmly.

Have you accepted any of them?

Not yet.

Cal was tall, about six-three, with dark hair. His face was all sculpted cheekbones and stubborn jaw, and his mouth frequently betrayed his mood. Right now it was thin and straight. He was so angry, he practically spouted steam. Shed never felt better.

Im here to offer you a five-year contract. You get complete control of the kitchen, the standard agreement. He named a salary that made her blink.

Penny took another sip of her water. In truth she didnt want just another job. She wanted her own place. But opening a restaurant took serious money, which she didnt have. Her choices were to take on more partners than she wanted or wait. Shed decided to wait.

Her plan was to spend the next three years putting away money, then open the restaurant of her dreams. So while a big salary was nice, it wasnt enough.

Not interested, she said, with a slight smile.

Cals gaze narrowed. What do you want? Aside from my head on a stick.

Her smile turned genuine. Ive never wanted that, she told him. Well, not after the divorce was final. Its been three years, Cal. Ive long since moved on. Havent you?

Of course. Then why arent you interested? Its a good job.

Im not looking for a job. I want an opportunity.

Meaning?

More than the standard agreement. I want my name out front and complete creative control in back. She reached into the pocket of her jacket and pulled out a folded piece of paper. I have a list.

DOING THE RIGHT THING had always been a pain in the ass, Cal thought as he took the sheet and unfolded it. This time was no different.

He scanned the list, then tossed it back to her. Penny didnt want an opportunity, she wanted his balls sauted with garlic and a nice cream sauce.

No, he said flatly, ignoring the way the afternoon sunlight brought out the different colors of red and brown in her auburn hair.

Fine by me. She picked up the sheet and started to slide out of the booth. Nice to see you, Cal. Good luck with the restaurant.

He reached across the table and grabbed her wrist. Wait.

But if we have nothing to talk about

She looked innocent enough, he thought as he gazed into her big blue eyes, but he knew better than to believe the wide-eyed stare.