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the commons that used to be a dress shop. It would be perfect. We could have ten tables, very intimate, and just serve dinner.” Stephanie almost bounced out of her chair.
    I tried to open my mouth and protest. I didn’t want Andre commuting to Marin. I certainly didn’t want him to be partners with this overripe viper.
    “That would be a long drive for you,” I said, touching Andre’s hand.
    “We could move to Marin,” he replied, putting his hand over mine.
    “You should buy in Ross,” Stephanie piped in. “It’s the best place to raise children.”
    “We can’t afford Ross,” I said quietly.
    “Oh, Amanda, stop. We used to call Amanda’s house ‘the palace’ and Amanda ‘the princess.’ Her parents were so rich,” Stephanie said to the whole table.
    “My parents, not me,” I mumbled.
    “Honey, I’d never be bored if we had a restaurant.” Stephanie got up and stood behind Glenn. She nuzzled his neck so her guests had a full view of her breasts. Even I was impressed. Mine were big, but hers were big and perfect: two pale pink peaches pushed up by a Wonderbra.
    “Sweetie, we’ll have kids soon and then where will that leave Andre?” Glenn looked at Andre for support, but Andre’s attention was directed at his soup.
    “Oh please. I want to do something . You don’t want me to get antsy,” Stephanie begged.
    “I’ll clear the table,” Jane said brightly.
    “I’ll help you,” Dell offered. Both women obviously wanted to escape to the kitchen. Stephanie was like a girl intent on a new toy.
    “If you don’t mind I’m going to step out and have a cigarette.” Harvey pushed back his chair.
    “I’ll join you. I always like a breath of fresh air between courses.” Tom followed him outside.
    “Opening a new restaurant is a huge undertaking.” Andre turned toward Glenn. “But it might do very well. You have a wealthy client base over here, and not a lot of dining options.”
    I realized while Andre was studying his soup he was figuring out the best way to approach the situation. Glenn was a numbers man, so Andre was talking numbers.
    “I never thought of it like that,” Glenn replied.
    Stephanie decided to let the men hash it out. “Amanda, help me get the entrées.” She gave Glenn a dazzling smile, brushing against him before dragging me into the kitchen.
    Stephanie’s kitchen was huge, with a giant butcher-block island and a double Wolf oven.
    “Wow, what a gorgeous oven,” I said, wanting to talk about anything other than a partnership with Andre.
    “I told you, I love to cook. But it gets boring cooking for two people.” Stephanie removed a ham from the oven and sliced it onto six plates.
    “Where did you get these lovely plates?” I admired the plates lined up on the marble counter. The number of times Stephanie said she was bored was making me nervous.
    “Where did you get your divine dish?” Stephanie replied.
    “What?” I asked.
    “Your husband,” she cooed. “He is a cutie. How did you snag him?”
    “Um, just love,” I said, sounding stupid even to myself.
    “I never expected you to catch a sexy Frenchman,” Stephanie continued.
    “Glenn seems really wonderful.” I tried to change the subject.
    “Glenn’s great,” Stephanie agreed, adding asparagus tips to each plate and dribbling a hollandaise sauce. “But you got the hunk. I’m impressed.”
    “Andre’s going to be a great dad,” I mumbled. I wanted to get out of the kitchen, out of the house, and back into Andre’s old VW.
    “Here, take these plates, let’s see if our husbands struck a deal.” Stephanie pushed two plates into my hands and nudged me into the dining room.
    *   *   *
    “Stephanie, your tips are cooked to perfection. And this sauce … Where did you get the recipe?” Andre asked, cutting his asparagus into ribbons.
    “See, Glenn, I do have talent. Can I please have my restaurant?” Stephanie turned her don’t-say-no-to-me pout on her husband.
    “Andre and I were