Read Online Worth the Risk by Meryl Sawyer - Free Book Online Page A

assistant for the summer.”
    There was an enthusiastic round of applause, then Brad said, “Amber, do you have anything to say?”
    Amber stepped up to the mic with such confidence that Lexi was certain she’d practiced this speech many times. “Gee, it feels like the Academy Awards,” she joked, and the audience laughed politely. “I want to thank Mrs. Geffen for all her support and her wonderful cooking class. I also need to thank my sister, Lexi, for all her help.”
    Lexi hadn’t really helped except to taste the last few Ali Babas. But still, she was touched by the acknowledgment.
    â€œMost of all I want to thank the Recipe for Success program,” Amber said. “Back in the fourth grade, I planted, harvested and cooked in their program. Until then, I hadn’t really appreciated how food was grown and how to prepare it.
    â€œYou see, I’m a diabetic. I have to be careful what I eat. Their program gave me a new appreciation for foods I’d never tasted. That’s why I enrolled in Mrs. Geffen’s class.”
    Amber paused, then smiled at Brad. “I’m sure I speak for all the contestants in thanking the Chefs’ Association for sponsoring this contest.”
    Tears welled in Lexi’s eyes. She’d never heard her sister speak about her diabetes so passionately or in front of such a large group. That took true courage.
    Brad strode up to Lexi. He projected such an energy and power, and Lexi was almost embarrassed by her instinctive response to him.
    â€œYour sister outdid herself,” Brad told her.
    â€œAmber deserved to win. She tried hard. I can’t tell you how many tarts she baked.”
    â€œShe didn’t taste them all, did she?” Brad sounded concerned. That made her like him even more.
    â€œNo. She was good. The seniors at the center sampled them and offered opinions.”
    â€œHey, that’s a smart move.” Brad touched her arm lightly. “You’re both very enterprising.”
    â€œI guess.” Lexi had never thought of herself as anything other than a survivor. She did what she needed to do, even if she often felt as if she was on a treadmill.
    â€œI’ve got to rush off to another contest,” Brad said. “How about going out for coffee around five—before I have to get back to the restaurant for the dinner rush?”
    Lexi’s heartbeat throbbed in her ears and she felt heat creeping up her neck. “I’d like that.”
    â€œGood. I’ll pick you up at four.”
    She watched him walk away. A strange excitement filled her as she turned to find Amber.

Chapter 8
    â€œSo you’re a runner.” Brad flashed his engaging smile. “So am I, when I have the time.”
    â€œSame here,” Lexi responded. “I was on the track team in high school, but now I’m lucky if I can find the time to run a couple of days a week.” An unexpected glow warmed her. They had a lot more in common than she’d thought.
    They were sitting at a small corner table at Brew Ha-Ha, having iced caramel-flavored coffee drinks and sharing a blueberry scone.
    â€œWhat about movies?” Brad asked.
    So many questions, she thought. Most men liked to talk about themselves or their work, but not Brad. He wanted to know all about her.
    â€œI don’t have much time for movies lately,” she said. “When I do go, I look for foreign films.”
    â€œHey, so do I.”
    â€œI don’t mind the subtitles. I like to see how people in other countries view life.
    â€œExactly!” He leaned forward and lowered his voice in a way that added to the intimacy she already felt. “I’m not interested in films that are nothing but car chases and shoot-outs.”
    Lexi nodded. Most of her dates had taken her to “guy” movies because they liked them or silly “chick flicks” to please her. She’d rarely been asked what she wanted to see.