The Maverick's Christmas Homecoming by Teresa Southwick

Author:Teresa Southwick
Language: eng
Format: mobi, epub
Publisher: Harlequin
Published: 2012-12-28T22:00:00+00:00

Chapter Nine

Gianna stood in the shadows off to the side in The Gallatin Room. The customers at her tables were enjoying various courses of their meals. At the moment there was nothing for her to do and it was nice to take a breather. Interrupting every five seconds to ask if they needed anything was as bad as ignoring them.

Especially when there was romance in this room. Candles still flickered on pristine white tablecloths and there was a quiet hum of conversation and laughter. She didn’t feel much like laughing as she watched Shane performing the public relations part of his job.

The information about who his father was had overshadowed her disappointment that he wouldn’t be here for Christmas. What he’d talked to her about a little while ago was shocking enough, and then he’d disappeared. He was back now looking even more troubled.

He frequently schmoozed with the customers, moving from table to table, meeting and greeting, using his natural charm and enjoying the connection. He was doing that now, but something was off. There was tension on his face in spite of the smile, and something like shock in his eyes. Each encounter was brief and smacked of duty, not the usual friendly and relaxed way he interacted. The lines of his body looked tight, as if he might snap.

Bonnie moved beside her and let out a long breath. “It’s been so busy. I haven’t had a chance to talk.”

“Tell me about it.” She smiled at her friend, then glanced at Shane. “How’s everything with you?”

“Jim and I broke up.”

“Bon—” Gianna gave her a quick hug. “I’m sorry. What happened?”

“He wasn’t that into me.” She tried to look spunky, but the disappointment leaked through. “I’m swearing off men. It’s time to go back to college. No distractions.”

“College is good. But don’t back yourself into a corner with grand declarations about no relationships.” If anyone could sympathize it was Gianna. “You really thought he was the one.”

“Isn’t it a rule or a law of physics or something that you can’t be in love by yourself?”

“It’s definitely more fun with two.”

Her friend’s gaze wandered to their boss, who was on his way back to the kitchen. “What’s with Shane tonight?”

Gianna had to decide how to answer that question. She’d seen romances here at work burn bright and hot then fizzle and get awkward. The ones involved always thought they were discreet and keeping things under the radar. But when people worked as closely together as they did in food service, secrets were hard to keep. Although she’d managed. She hadn’t said anything about sleeping with the boss, and wondered if her friend had noticed a change in anything.

“You think he’s different tonight?”

“Not at the start of my shift,” Bonnie said carefully.

“Then when?”

“The last hour or so. I’ve put in requests from customers, nothing out of the ordinary because he insists on one hundred percent satisfaction. But he’s had to redo several meals, like his mind is on something else. One guy asked for no mango, not even a garnish on the plate.

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