House of Payne: Sage by Stacy Gail

Author:Stacy Gail [Gail, Stacy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-12-15T18:30:00+00:00

Chapter Thirteen

“I never expected you to actually invite over a dragon,” The rich aromas of chili powder, cumin and garlic perfumed the air as Mads pulled a casserole dish filled with her world-famous beer-marinated chicken enchiladas from the oven. The enchilada sauce and Mexican queso sprinkled on top had melded together into a picture of perfection, but she had no time to admire the main course.

Dinner hadn’t even been served yet, and already there was drama.

“I know, and I’m sorry.” Looking both chagrinned and defiant, Serena tried staying out of her way while at the same time dogging her every step in the townhome’s galley-style kitchen. “But you did say I could bring a plus-one, so I’m not totally out of line here.”

“Didn’t you say this dragon owns your hospital and is basically richer than God?” Setting the dish of piping hot enchiladas on a trivet, Mads ripped open a bag of thin tortilla chips and arranged the chips around a bowl of homemade guacamole. Next up, Margaritaville.

“I assume he’s rolling in it, but I don’t actually know that for a fact.” Clearly on the defensive, Serena crossed her arms in front of her. “So what if he’s Mr. Moneybags?”

“So, this isn’t Alinea. Wait, is Alinea still the swankiest restaurant in Chicago? I can’t afford to even step foot in there, so I wouldn’t know.”

“Mads, he knows this is just a casual dinner at my sister’s house, the same sister who draws happy pictures for sick kids. He knows you’re not a master chef.”

“I wouldn’t say that.” Walking in with his jacket still on, Sage held up a bottle of tequila in one hand and a six-pack of cerveza longnecks in the other. “Liquor store run for extra booze is a done deal, Skittish. Damn, does it smell good in here. We ready to eat, or what?”

“Let’s see.” Trying not to think how homey this was with Sage helping her host this little get-together, Mads took quick stock of the situation. Drunk-chicken enchiladas, grilled corn salad with diced avocados and a zesty lime vinaigrette, borracho beans, tortilla chips with guacamole, and the tres leches sheet cake waiting in the fridge. “All I need to do is mix up some margaritas and we’re ready to roll. Oh, and Rena’s plus-one needs to show up.”

“Yeah?” Stashing the beer in the fridge, Sage grabbed one of the cold ones Mads already had waiting, then shrugged out of his jacket. “You didn’t invite your father, did you? Because that would suck.”

“Oh, no. Serena invited the current dragon in her life, because apparently my sister likes extra doses of cray-cray during dinner parties.” Grinning, Mads went to Sage to give him a welcoming kiss. As the days had gone by and they were now less than a week away from House Of Payne’s art auction deadline, life had been something of a whirlwind, complete with full work schedules and working into the wee hours on her art piece for the auction. But it was now

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