Read Online Seducing the Chef (At First Sight #1) by Janet Lane-Walters - Free Book Online

mysterious,” Stella Ramsey said. “You know how I hate surprises.”
    “You have to see to believe.” He swallowed. She wouldn’t like what the package held. The contents of the box from Allie gave lie to his mother’s tale of his father’s death and the loss of Le Provencal. “Please, Mom.”
    “All right but I can’t stay long.”
    Fifteen minutes later she entered. Greg smiled. “Thanks.”
    “So what is this big surprise?”
    He handed her Allie’s note. “Read this.”
    She gripped the paper and read. “What’s this supposed to mean?”
    “I checked each issue of the magazines she sent and found no mention of Dad or the restaurant. Why did you lie?”
    “I didn’t. I believed Victor. I remember how he and Peter had argued.” She clasped her hands in her lip. “There were problems in our marriage but I tried to make the relationship work. Your father insisted on unconditional belief.”
    “I know you tried.” He handed her the printouts. “Citations and a lawsuit.”
    When she looked up her eyes held a sheen of unshed tears. “I don’t understand. Our kitchen was always spotless.”
    “The health department doesn’t make up stories. According to what I’ve read, the last one was posted the same morning the family who sued had eaten here. How much did you have to do with the restaurant?”
    “Almost none. Your father insisted I stay home with you. He was a proud man and thought a working wife made him feel like a failure. Until you were ten your grandfather controlled the kitchen. Then he retired and returned to Italy.”
    Greg nodded. “Maybe after that was when the problems began.”
    She covered her face with her hands. “So Victor decided to blame Peter for his own actions. Your father knew I still cared for Peter. Victor made sure my love became hate. Though I loved Peter I would never have broken my vows.”
    Greg placed a hand on her shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself for trusting Dad.”
    A few tears spilled over her cheeks. “He said he loved me. I’m sure he did but he hated Peter more. What do we do now? Thirty two years ago I messed up my life. Now I’ve ruined yours.”
    “It’s not ruined. You do owe Allie an apology.”
    “I know. Shame it’s too late to tell Peter how sorry I am.” She wiped her eyes. “What will you do about Allie?”
    “Eat crow. Already decided how to prepare the dish.”
    She laughed. “You do owe her two dinners. Consider seducing her with food.”
    “That’s a brilliant idea.” Ideas flowed into his thoughts. Which rooms had she missed?
    He hugged his mother. She walked to the door. “I’ll see you this evening. There’s something I need to do.”
    Greg sat at his desk. He rested his elbows on the blotter and thought of Allie. Did he love her? He sort of thought this was where he headed. He desired her more than he’d ever wanted a woman. Not just for sex, though it had been exciting and always left him craving for more.
    Seduce her with food. Great idea and he had some thoughts on how this could be accomplished. He opened the file for last week’s reservations. Once he knew where she hadn’t been he could solve that problem.
     
    * * *
     
    Since her return from Steve’s apartment Allie had shoved herself into work. Keeping busy had left her with little time to think about Five Cuisines. Greg, the pleasure she had found in his arms. She fisted her hands. Enough with the regrets. Life goes forward. Stepping into the near or distant past was futile. He’d had the box for almost a week and hadn’t called. So be it.
    So she’d fallen hard and fast for a man when the relationship had a zero chance of being a lifelong commitment . Love is ephemeral . She’d always known that. She’d seen her parents’ careful courtesy to each other. There’d never been any spontaneous gestures.
    Greg’s face flashed into her thoughts. Her body heated. Why hadn’t he called at least to apologize?
    She logged off the computer and reached for her