Adore Me Read Online Free PDF Page B

when he crossed the threshold.
    “Now that’s the kind of greeting I like,” he said, pulling her into an embrace. “Fast, hot, and to the point.”
    Reveling in the feel of his arm around her shoulders, Meredith snuggled against him as they walked into the living room. “Steak, baked potatoes, and a veggie medley for dinner,” she said. “And for dessert, your favorite chocolate cupcakes.”
    “Mmm,” he murmured as his palm stroked gently along her upper arm. “Sounds perfect.”
    Perfect .
    Meredith smiled at the idea. If her relationship with Vlad continued to grow and if things worked out well with Nan Ogilvy, then for the first time in a long while that’s what her life would be.
    Perfect .
    ****
    Meredith checked the time.
    Zero hour.
    She straightened the jacket of her pantsuit and took a deep breath to calm herself. The combined aromas of cinnamon and chocolate perfumed the warm kitchen air, reminding her that things would be fine.
    All she had to do was be herself and treat potential clients with the respect they deserved. Her skill and creativity would do the rest. She hoped.
    “They’ll be here any minute,” she told Dana.
    Dana finished piping a cloud of lime frosting onto a coconut cake and looked up. “Unless they’re the kind of society folks who insist on being fashionably late.”
    “God, I hope not,” Meredith moaned. “This waiting is making me crazy. I just want—”
    A sound from out front riveted her attention, and she froze. Someone had just come in. She rushed to the door and peeked out. Two women stood at the entrance, both of them well-dressed, well-groomed, and literally reeking of wealth.
    “It’s them,” she whispered.
    Dana wiped her hands on her apron as she came over to have a look. “Oooh, from here, their shoes and bags look way expensive,” she said, peering over Meredith’s shoulder. “Bet they cost a whole lot more than that proverbial pretty penny. Probably somewhere in the pricey mega-thousands.”
    Meredith winced. “That’s what I was thinking too. And worrying about.”
    “Oh, nonsense , as my old granny would say. They might be able to afford two-thousand dollar bags, but no way can they make chocolate-caramel ricotta tarts like you do.”
    Meredith thought of the luscious chocolaty tarts they’d just put in the fridge and nodded. “Right. Gotta remember those tarts.”
    She turned to go, then turned back again as she smoothed down her hair.
    “How do I look?”
    Dana grasped her shoulders, holding her at arm’s length as she performed a top-to-toe survey. “Perfect.”
    Meredith sighed. “Don’t I wish.”
    Dana pulled her into a hug, then released her, gently pushing her toward the door. “Go on, knock ’em dead,” she ordered.
    Meredith nodded obediently and headed out of the kitchen to meet the people who could be the potential saviors of her business, and her dream.
    She approached the pair with the purposeful steps expected of an energetic professional, her hand extended in greeting and a welcoming smile firmly in place. As she drew closer, she gave them a more thorough onceover than the one she’d given while peeking at them from the kitchen.
    Mom Nanette was a tall, model-thin woman who was probably in her early fifties and who rocked artfully streaked blonde hair, perfect posture, and the kind of cheekbones most women would kill for. Daughter Julia looked a little like a Nanette-in-the-making, but with darker hair, kickier clothes, and a youthful sweetness to her expression.
    They both smiled when they saw Meredith, making her relax a little because at least there was no sign they were looking down their beautifully sculpted noses at the potential hired help.
    “Good afternoon and welcome to Divine Desserts. I’m Meredith Crismis.” Meredith let her smile ratchet up an extra degree to show that she was thoroughly at ease, even though she wasn’t.
    “How nice to meet you, Ms. Crismis,” Nanette said, accepting the hand Meredith