The Willowdale Short Story Collection by Lisa Scott

Author:Lisa Scott
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: dating, friends, contemporary romance, sweet romance, short story collection, southern romance, small town romance, box set
Publisher: Lisa Scott

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Brad was standing at his workstation when she walked in the kitchen. His spoon clattered onto the counter. “You’re wearing red.” He gulped. “I mean you’re really wearing that red.”

She looked down and smoothed one hand across the fabric, now convinced it was too much. “You asked me to. I’m trying to be a team player.”

“Yes, good. Thanks.” He rubbed the back of his neck and grimaced. “Now let’s get you to work.”

She plucked an apron from a hook on the wall. “What’s the plan?”

His eyes were still fixed on her thighs where the dress ended a few inches too soon. She was certain of that now. She quickly tied on her apron to cover up.

Brad cleared his throat. “I’m promoting ‘apps for two.’ I want people to order and share. Or it could be an icebreaker, walking up to someone and asking if they want to try a stuffed pepper. Sure to inspire some sexy jokes, too. ‘Is that a banana pepper on your plate or are you just happy to see me?’” he said, in a far-too-sexy voice.

She laughed. “Oh, please.”

“I’m going to make those hot dogs in crescent rolls, too. Everyone likes those.”

She laughed and waited for him to join her. But he just blinked. Her smile fell. He was serious. She gulped. Should she let him hang himself? “Wieners in a blanket. Hmm. I think folks might be expecting something a little fancier than that. Plus Butch might think you’re making a joke of his ex-wife and her dancing dachshunds. He still thinks they’re getting back together. What if you put a shrimp in the crescent roll with a nice sweet dipping sauce to counteract the heat in the pepper?”

“Damn. That’s a lot better than wieners in a blanket. Thanks.”

“Well, we’re supposed to work as a team, right?” Plus, she didn’t think she could serve those in a restaurant with a straight face and she certainly couldn’t endure the jokes those would inspire—bananas were one thing; mini-wieners were a whole other level.

“And we’ll have you walking around with a dessert tray. Cupcake duos to share. Can you handle that?”

“After years of tapioca and Jell-O, it’ll be a pleasure.”

He laughed, and she knew she could get very used to that deep chuckle.

“I could also make a dark chocolate raspberry tart I’ve been messing around with.” Now why was she offering that? She should be saving it for her own week.

He opened his mouth and snapped it shut. “I won’t make any tart jokes. Or about messing around.”

“You men can make sex jokes about anything.” She got out some mixing bowls and started on the cupcakes, trying to act annoyed by the jokes, but secretly enjoying their easy banter. Much easier to joke around with someone than work side-by-side with your hackles up.

They got down to business quickly, and Brad’s smooth movements distracted Jeanne as he worked on the peppers, the muscles in his forearm flexing with each slice. He chopped off the top of the pepper and then cut each one in two, setting them aside.

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