Total pages in book: 66
Estimated words: 62783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 62783 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 314(@200wpm)___ 251(@250wpm)___ 209(@300wpm)
“Thank Christ for that!” Luna cut him off, then flashed me an apologetic look. “Not that there would’ve been anything wrong with that,” she hurried to say. “You and Persephone are a delight…” she stumbled with her words, but I just waved her off.
Brad laughed, shaking his head. “She’s not one for crowds, events, or anything that puts her in the public eye,” he explained. “Basically your run-of-the-mill, anti-social introvert. I practically had to beg her to go out with me tonight—”
“Thanks, Brad,” she said, rolling her eyes.
“I get it,” I said. “No worries. Trust me.”
Luna breathed a sigh of relief, then elbowed Brad in the abdomen for good measure.
“What’d I say?” he asked, looking so bewildered I couldn’t help but laugh.
The bell above the restaurant door chimed, and I watched Jim and Ridge walk inside, Jim smiling at me, and Ridge looking…well, like Ridge.
Lyla popped out of the kitchen with another tray of samples, just as Jim and Ridge made it to us.
Brad finally popped a sample into his mouth, transporting him directly to flavor bliss heaven, his eyes rolling back in his head before he focused on Lyla as she sat down the tray. “Marry me,” he said. “Marry me right now.”
Luna rolled her eyes, but took a calculated step away from the group.
Lyla laughed, shaking her head. “You’re the third one to ask me that today,” she said, motioning to the butter cake he just tried. “I swear I should rename that to marry me cake.” She winked at Brad, then pointed to the chocolate pieces she’d just put out. “Try that one.”
Brad did while I hugged Jim, and Ridge stood there glaring at their exchange like he was personally offended, either by the cake or by Brad, I couldn’t tell. Luna didn’t look far off from Ridge’s mood, but Brad said she didn’t like crowds and he was about to make her hit the town, so it was understandable.
“Yep,” Brad said after taking the bite. “It stands. Marry me.”
Ridge pushed unceremoniously between them, grunting as he looked down at Lyla. I didn’t realize how much taller he was than her until he was standing directly next to her, looking down at her like she was the source of his perma-scowl.
“If you’re done being proposed to by the suit, can I get my to-go order?” he asked, his tone gruff and short in that way of his.
I opened my mouth, ready to apologize on his behalf to my boss and friend, but Lyla just popped her hands on her hips, staring up at him like she wasn’t affected by his attitude one bit.
“Let me guess,” she said. “Southern chicken tacos with a side of slaw?”
Ridge only grunted in response.
Lyla shook her head. “One of these days you’re going to try the rest of my food.”
“Why, so I can propose to you like him?” Ridge asked, motioning to Brad without even looking at him. Brad didn’t seem to care, too busy popping another sample into his mouth. I playfully smacked his hand away when he went for thirds.
Lyla batted her eyes at Ridge, folding her hands over her chest. “Oh, yes, that’s exactly what I live for. It’s why I became a chef, so I could seduce grumpy men like yourself into proposing to me. Would you please put me out of my misery, Ridge?”
Wow, the sarcasm was strong with this one and I was so here for it.
I laughed, and so did Jim and Brad. Even Luna grinned, but Ridge didn’t even crack a smile. Still, something churned in those eyes of his, and Lyla shifted her weight just slightly, as if she was preparing for a sudden storm.
They held their charged stare down for a few more seconds before I couldn’t stand it a second longer.
“I’ll go grab your tacos,” I said to Ridge, hooking my arm through Lyla’s as we headed back to the kitchen.
“I have half a mind to skimp him on the slaw,” Lyla said as she gathered up his order.
I laughed again. “He’d only come back and demand more.”
“Insufferable,” she said. “You know he came in here two nights ago, saying I didn’t give him enough crema?”
“The nerve,” I said.
“Exactly.” She boxed up his order and handed it to me. “Would you please? I don’t have the energy for him tonight.”
“With pleasure,” I said, giving her a reassuring smile as she busied herself with the first incoming orders of the dinner rush.
“Here,” I said, handing Ridge his order. “Stop giving my friend a hard time.”
He narrowed his gaze on me, then nodded to Jim as he headed out without another word.
“Eloquent as always,” I said, and Jim laughed.
“That’s Ridge,” he said, shrugging. “Your friend already took off with the redhead,” he continued.
“That’s Luna,” I said. “She owns the vintage shop down the road. She’s the one who made my sister’s wedding dress.”