Just One Tease by Carly Phillips

Author:Carly Phillips
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Romance, Contemporary
Publisher: CP Publishing
Published: 2023-10-21T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twelve

Hadley placed the utensils in napkins and filled condiment bottles, happy to help Sheila, the hostess, get the front restaurant ready for the night’s business. Since the tasks were mindless, she spent most of her time reliving last night with Zach, trying not to pine away for the years they’d missed. Appreciating the here and now was the smart move, so that’s what she did.

Joe arrived late, sauntering in without a word of apology. Maddox, however, was aware of the time and walked over as his brother sat down, the teen grumbling under his breath. Hadley waited through the well-deserved lecture Maddox gave his sibling. When he finished, Maddox apologized to Hadley and forced his brother to do the same.

With their delayed start, by the time she finished working with Joe, it was after five p.m. “That’s it for today,” she said.

“Yes!” he shot his fist in the air.

She glanced at the teen, his longish brown hair falling over his eyes. “Be on time tomorrow,” she told him firmly. “You’ve got this, Joe. You just need to do the reading each night and study. Show up and we’ll go over themes and other pertinent information for your test.”

“Not only will he study but he’ll be here five minutes early.” Maddox came up behind his brother and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll be home each night and make sure of it. Right, Joe?”

“Yeah, yeah. Thanks, Ms. Stevens.”

She smiled. Regardless of Joe’s feelings towards school and studying, he’d obviously been taught manners. “You’re very welcome.”

“I’m thirsty. Soda?” Joe asked.

Maddox nodded. “Ask Cal. He’s behind the bar.”

Joe scrambled to his feet and rushed away, pulling his cell out as he ran.

“Thank you,” Maddox said, running his hand through his hair in obvious frustration. “My parents sent him to me to keep him out of trouble and I’ve managed that much, barely. He just needs to pass his classes.”

Hadley rose to her feet. “He will. Have faith.”

“Hads!”

She turned at the sound of her sister’s voice. Dani, Layla, and Zach’s parents walked towards her.

“Hey!” She’d been texting with her sister and knew Dani was happy staying with the Dares but it was so good to see her.

“Hi,” Michael said. “How’s it going?”

“Quiet.” Hadley didn’t know if that was good or bad. She hadn’t heard back from her father since she’d left a message using the burner phone he’d given her the day she’d arrived.

Though she was antsy, she knew Zach was watching out for her and digging into her father’s background.

Michael nodded in understanding. “Where is Zach?”

“In his office with Remy.”

“I’ll go say hello.” He left the women to talk and headed back.

Aware Dani was not going to accept a big hug in public, Hadley wrapped one arm loosely around her shoulder. “You look great.” And wearing what had to be Layla’s fringed denim shorts and cropped top. Teenagers, Hadley thought, suppressing a grin.

“We sat out by the pool today and tanned.” Dani gestured towards her sunburned belly.

“I hope you wore sunscreen.” The words came out automatically as did her sister’s eyeroll.

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