CHAPTER EIGHTY FIVE – THE THINGS WE DO FOR LOVE

For several agonizing heartbeats, Julian simply observed the dish in studious silence, expression utterly inscrutable. At last he reached out with his fork, spearing one of the puff pastries and bringing it to his lips to take one delicate bite. "Impeccable technique, as always, Vanessa," Julian rumbled at last, chasing the bite with a sip of Chablis. "The flavors are bright, layered...decadent." Across the counter, Vanessa preened like a vapid peacock, openly reveling in the compliment. Charlotte had to resist the urge to sneer at her utter transparency. "However," Julian continued after a pregnant pause, his voice dropping several molten degrees as his gaze suddenly locked with scorching intensity onto Charlotte's. "While yours is superb in its technical precision, my darling wife's offering...well, it exceeds even my wildest gastronomical fantasies." With one last searing look Vanessa's way, Julian turned his full attention to the copper serving dish containing Charlotte's maste