Better Than Chocolate by Pat Amsden

“There’s no actual booze in it.”
          “That should be OK then,” Elena said.
          “Aren’t you having any?” Brad asked.
          “Nope. I’ll be in the kitchen preparing the next tasting. Bon Appetite,” Mary said brightly exiting the room.
          Brad smiled at her. “If I didn’t know better I’d say that was a set-up.”
          Elena felt her face flush. “Don’t look at me,” she warned. “I had nothing to do with it.”
          The look in his eyes wasn’t making her feel any better. “It’s just business,” he said innocently, taking a bite of the brownie and ice. “Umm,” he groaned appreciatively. “That woman can cook.”
          Elena just glowered at him.
          “This is what you wanted isn’t it? I mean, you did ASK me here didn’t you?” he said.
          “Of course I did,” she snapped furious. “Do you have to enjoy it so much?”
          “Enjoy what?” he teased as Mary entered the room.
          “You like it,” she said beaming.
          “How could I not?” he said smiling. “You’re an amazing cook.”
          “I’ll help you in the kitchen,” Elena said.
          “Not so fast,” Mary said, putting out a hand to stop her. “There’s more to taste. And I’ve got detailed questionnaires for you to fill out.”
          “Questionnaires?” Elena said groaning.
          “I need input on all the menu items. More than just ‘it tastes good’, Mary said sternly. “This isn’t just a chance for free food, you know. I need good input.”
          “Of course,” Elena said weakly.
          “And I’ve got more food for you to taste.” She headed off to the kitchen returning shortly with a three page questionnaire. “You can get started on this while I get the next group of foods together for tasting.”
          “I don’t have anything else planned,” Brad said sweetly.
          He looked like a Cheshire cat Elena thought resentfully. Kenny G came on in the background.
          “Thoughtful of Mary to put on mood music,” Brad commented.
          “It’s not going to do any good,” she retorted. “I’ve already told you all I want is a working relationship.”
          “I don’t have a problem with that,” Brad said cheerfully. “It seems you do.”
          “I don’t,” she said angrily.
          “Good, let’s go over the questionnaire shall we?”
          She could see the gleam in his eye. He was enjoying every minute of this she thought fuming. And there was nothing she could do to stop it.
          “Fine,” she said primly. “Let’s start with the brownie. Is it too sweet or too tart?”
          “I’d say it’s just about perfect,” he said looking her in the eyes, “with a good mouth feel.”
          “What?” she said almost choking.
          “Mouth feel,” he said innocently. “It’s nice and chewy with just the right amount of texture.”
          “Of course,” she said faintly. This was no good. She was never going to make it through the whole menu like this. “Let’s go over the ices,” she said firmly.
          “Smooth,” he said, his voice like butter. “Melts in your mouth.”
          She could feel butterflies in her stomache. “You’re distracting me,” she whispered angrily.
          “But I’m not doing anything,” he said.
          She wanted to stamp on his foot. Or stick out her tongue. He brought out the worst in her without even trying. “We agreed,” she said heatedly.
          “To what?”
          “Not to let personal feelings get in the way of the job at hand.”
          “I’m not,” he said pointedly. “And actually you’re the one who said that.”
          “But …” she felt her breath catch in her throat. “I can’t do this. I can’t,” she said angrily.
          “Can’t what?” he pressed