Million to One by Darlene Gardner

Author:Darlene Gardner
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2005-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

NO MATTER how hard she tried, Kaylee couldn’t stop the grin that kept creeping onto her face. The thought of pushing Sofia and Art Sandusky together and letting the laws of attraction take over was too delectable.

“What are you up to?” Sofia asked her.

It was a few minutes before seven on a surprisingly uncrowded Friday night at Nunzio’s, and Sofia sat catty-corner from her at their table for four. They were finally alone after walking a gauntlet that included two requests to Sofia for monetary help, one for a start-up business and another for an insurance payment.

“I’m not up to anything.” Kaylee tried to sound appropriately innocent but her grin broke free once more.

“I’ll figure it out eventually.” Sofia waved a hand as though she wasn’t concerned. “It has something to do with the restaurant. Nobody works the lunch shift five days in a row, then gets a babysitter on the fifth so they can come back to the restaurant for dinner.”

“I did,” Kaylee said. “I like it here.”

“That may be true.” Sofia wagged a finger at her. “But you’re up to something.”

Kaylee had deliberately chosen a seat that enabled her to see the entrance to the restaurant. The trick was not to make it obvious that she was watching the door.

Sofia swiveled her head. “Why do you keep looking over there?”

Frankie Nunzio, who had been moving from table to table playing the solicitous host, waved and headed their way. He wore an all-black ensemble and a huge grin.

“If it isn’t two of my favorite ladies.” He included Kaylee in the greeting, but picked up Sofia’s hand and kissed the back of it. “Can’t stay away, can you, Sofia?”

“I can’t, but it seems other people can.” She swept her hand to indicate the half-full restaurant. “Where is everybody?”

“This is about as busy as it gets. We’re still pretty full at lunch, especially this week when everybody and their brother wanted to get a look at Kaylee. But business at night has dropped off since word got around that you’re not in the kitchen anymore.”

“But the food’s just as good as it was when I worked here,” Sofia said.

“That’s not what I hear. We’re using the same recipes, but the customers say they taste different.” He screwed up his face. “I think it’s because you used to improvise.”

“Improvisation is the joy of cooking,” Sofia said.

“If you ever want to come back, there’s a place for you.” Frankie frowned. “But with all the money you have, I can’t see that happening.”

The middle-aged waitress who’d embraced Sofia when they’d arrived at the restaurant beckoned to Frankie. He extended his apologies and then bustled away to see what she needed.

“I figured out what you’re up to,” Sofia said triumphantly after he was gone.

Kaylee’s gaze shot to the entrance of the restaurant, expecting to see Tony and Art Sandusky but they’d yet to arrive. Where were they?

“You and Frankie arranged for me to be at the restaurant on a slow night to show me how much Nunzio’s wants me back,” Sofia said smugly.

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.