Taste of Love by Stephanie Nicole

purse. She pulled out a small black envelope and handed it to Madison.
    "What's this?" Madison asked, opening the envelope as she spoke. Inside was a black card with the words 'Your Presence is Requested' inscribed with gold lettering. She opened the card to find details regarding a charity ball that Sasha was hosting at her home that weekend.
    "It's our annual Gold and Black Ball. When my husband was alive, he started a foundation to help rescue dogs from puppy mills and the abuse and mistreatment that they received. God rest his soul, he truly believed in 'Man's Best Friend', and he did all he could to save them." She wiped a tear from her eye.
    "You really must come. I'm afraid I can't take no for an answer," she said with a warm smile.
    "I'm honored that you would think to invite me, but I can't leave the restaurant again, so soon after being sick," Madison tried to protest.
    Bunny pulled a silver envelope out of her purse and sat it in front of Madison. "That's an invitation to my ball the week after. Our foundation benefits orphaned children to give them a better life, and puts them through college. I won't take no for an answer either. Besides, we've already talked to Austin, and he assured us that he would take good care of the restaurant in your absence."
    "Wow." Madison was overwhelmed. "I'm not really sure that I can afford this," she told them honestly, thinking of the monetary donations she's have to make, as well as the cost of two different formal dresses. And besides that, she would have medical bills after the misfortunes of the past week.
    "That's simple. All I ask is that your restaurant donates some of those wonderful Lobster Dainties appetizers, enough to feed 150 people," Sasha told her.
    "And I would like some of those Shrimp Bruschetta Rounds, for the same number of people," Bunny added. "We've both hired caterers, but we've told many of our friends how wonderful your restaurant is, so you can network, as well as have a little fun that night. And, my seamstress will be waiting for you tomorrow morning. She has promised to give you a great deal on your dresses."
    Bunny handed her a business card, again from her purse.
    "Well, you've made it virtually impossible to say no." Madison raised her eyebrows and took a deep breath. "I guess the answer's yes, then."
    Both Bunny and Sasha clapped their hands. After Madison thanked them again and excused herself from the ladies, they high-fived each other.
    "Bet is on," Sasha told her friend.
    "You know, you should just give it up. She's already got her eye on Cameron," Bunny told her with all the confidence in the world.
    "Not a chance. The minute she sees my Thomas, she's going to go weak in the knees and melt like cheese," Sasha bragged, as she bit into a chunk of cheddar.
    "We'll see," Bunny promised, not mentioning that Madison and Cameron already knew each other. She wasn't sure if they were friends or not, but she felt there was something going on.

    "I can't believe I'm doing this," Madison told Chase as she got ready for her first ball. "I mean, look at this dress. I could never have afforded this if it wasn't for Bunny. Her seamstress was amazing. She knew exactly what to do to make me look good."
    "Girl, you look hot. That's enough to turn a gay man straight." He wagged his eyebrows as he took in her dress, while she turned in a circle for him. The dress was long and flowing, but hugged every curve of Madison's body. The color was such a deep shade of purple that it looked almost black, and it sparkled in just the right places.
    Madison laughed. "This is so unreal. I feel like such a princess."
    "You look like one too," he told her. "I'm going to go down and hail you a cab, so that you don't have to stand on the street like that. I don't want some strange Prince snatching you up as their prize."
    She laughed again as Chase kissed her cheek before leaving. She took a final look in the mirror, running her hands over the dress, making sure that it was all