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Authors: Meryl Sawyer
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where we’re different. I don’t mind not coming up with an exact answer. I like to consider the opportunities for creativity in each situation.” He gestured to the room around them. “Pastries set this place apart, but there’s more—”
“Great ambience,” Lexi cut in, “and really friendly service. They always remember your name.”
“Right! The world is so impersonal these days that folks appreciate a friendly attitude. I tell my servers that all the time.” He checked his watch. “Speaking of servers, I’ve gotta run.”
Lexi stood up. “I have rows of veggies screaming for water.”
She thanked him for the coffee, feeling way more relaxed than she had when they’d come here.
“Let’s get together again—soon. I’d like your opinion on a pizza place people have been telling me about.”
“Sure. I’d like that.” She said this in an offhand tone, but as they walked out she admitted to herself just how much she wanted to see Brad again.
They’d enjoyed a “working” dinner because Brad was considering adding pizza to his menu. Lexi had liked the deep-dish house special and had several ideas that he seemed to take seriously. They’d met at a park twice to run. And each time Lexi found herself relaxing more.
Since she’d started her new job at the accounting firm she wasn’t around the house as much as she should be to help Amber with her schoolwork. From what Lexi could tell, her sister spent most of her time working on her new recipe, which she was positive would win her the final round in the competition.
Joey Tran was helping in the garden. Lexi had spent all day each weekend there, as well, but getting Amber to help remained a struggle. Lexi didn’t nag her about it. That only made Amber more stubborn. Besides, Lexi had to prepare herself for the possibility Amber would win and not be able to help over the summer. Anticipating this, Lexi gave Joey more responsibility.
“I’m home,” yelled Lexi after she closed the front door.
Silence answered her, but the scent of chocolate swirled around her like a heavenly mist. What did she expect? Amber had prepared another Diva’s Red Velvet Torte. No doubt she’d taken it to the center for the seniors to sample.
Lexi put down her purse on the sideboard and flopped onto the sofa. She was too tired to pick up the remote control and switch on the television. She would just rest a minute before changing shoes to go out and check on the garden.
“Lexi, Lexi. Wake up.”
Lexi heard her sister speaking, but it took a few seconds for the words to register. She gazed around and realized she’d fallen asleep on the sofa. “What time is it?” she asked.
“Almost seven,” Amber replied.
Lexi walked toward the kitchen. “Did you eat?”
“No.” Amber waved a sheet of paper in front of her. “I have my grades,” she said, joy bubbling in her voice.
“Already?” Lexi knew the school year was drawing to a close, but didn’t expect a report card for a week or so.
“They came out today. I got mine in homeroom,” Amber informed her with a smile.
Good news, Lexi thought. Amber wouldn’t be this happy if she was failing a class. Her sister handed her the computer printout that served as a report card. Lexi scanned it, then reread it slowly.
“Not bad, huh?”
“Excellent. Really great, Amber. You pulled up your grades.”
“Except for math. I’m going to get a head start on algebra by studying at home this summer.”
Problem was—Amber didn’t have Lexi’s self-discipline. She had good intentions but no follow-through. She had to attend summer school.
As if guessing her thoughts, Amber said, “I worked really hard this term to bring up my grades. I worked even harder after I found out about the contest. I’ll study at night after I work with Charmayne.”
Lexi didn’t want an argument right now. After all, the report was good. Now was not the time to harp on Amber’s shortcomings. Or to suggest she might not win
“Great ambience,” Lexi cut in, “and really friendly service. They always remember your name.”
“Right! The world is so impersonal these days that folks appreciate a friendly attitude. I tell my servers that all the time.” He checked his watch. “Speaking of servers, I’ve gotta run.”
Lexi stood up. “I have rows of veggies screaming for water.”
She thanked him for the coffee, feeling way more relaxed than she had when they’d come here.
“Let’s get together again—soon. I’d like your opinion on a pizza place people have been telling me about.”
“Sure. I’d like that.” She said this in an offhand tone, but as they walked out she admitted to herself just how much she wanted to see Brad again.
They’d enjoyed a “working” dinner because Brad was considering adding pizza to his menu. Lexi had liked the deep-dish house special and had several ideas that he seemed to take seriously. They’d met at a park twice to run. And each time Lexi found herself relaxing more.
Since she’d started her new job at the accounting firm she wasn’t around the house as much as she should be to help Amber with her schoolwork. From what Lexi could tell, her sister spent most of her time working on her new recipe, which she was positive would win her the final round in the competition.
Joey Tran was helping in the garden. Lexi had spent all day each weekend there, as well, but getting Amber to help remained a struggle. Lexi didn’t nag her about it. That only made Amber more stubborn. Besides, Lexi had to prepare herself for the possibility Amber would win and not be able to help over the summer. Anticipating this, Lexi gave Joey more responsibility.
“I’m home,” yelled Lexi after she closed the front door.
Silence answered her, but the scent of chocolate swirled around her like a heavenly mist. What did she expect? Amber had prepared another Diva’s Red Velvet Torte. No doubt she’d taken it to the center for the seniors to sample.
Lexi put down her purse on the sideboard and flopped onto the sofa. She was too tired to pick up the remote control and switch on the television. She would just rest a minute before changing shoes to go out and check on the garden.
“Lexi, Lexi. Wake up.”
Lexi heard her sister speaking, but it took a few seconds for the words to register. She gazed around and realized she’d fallen asleep on the sofa. “What time is it?” she asked.
“Almost seven,” Amber replied.
Lexi walked toward the kitchen. “Did you eat?”
“No.” Amber waved a sheet of paper in front of her. “I have my grades,” she said, joy bubbling in her voice.
“Already?” Lexi knew the school year was drawing to a close, but didn’t expect a report card for a week or so.
“They came out today. I got mine in homeroom,” Amber informed her with a smile.
Good news, Lexi thought. Amber wouldn’t be this happy if she was failing a class. Her sister handed her the computer printout that served as a report card. Lexi scanned it, then reread it slowly.
“Not bad, huh?”
“Excellent. Really great, Amber. You pulled up your grades.”
“Except for math. I’m going to get a head start on algebra by studying at home this summer.”
Problem was—Amber didn’t have Lexi’s self-discipline. She had good intentions but no follow-through. She had to attend summer school.
As if guessing her thoughts, Amber said, “I worked really hard this term to bring up my grades. I worked even harder after I found out about the contest. I’ll study at night after I work with Charmayne.”
Lexi didn’t want an argument right now. After all, the report was good. Now was not the time to harp on Amber’s shortcomings. Or to suggest she might not win
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