Read Online A LITTLE BIT OF SUGAR by Lindsey Brookes - Free Book Online

concerned.”
     
    “Give it up, Carboni. There is never going to be an ‘us’.” Even as I said it, I was drawn to the scent of him. Musk mixed with a hint of spice. Leaning forward, I sniffed softly and then looked up at him, brow raised questioningly. “Aftershave? You got a hot date later?”
     
    His smile widened. “If I’m lucky.”
     
    A twinge of jealousy moved through me. Before I could reply, my mom called us into the dining room.
     
    Along with the salad and cheesecake, the dinner table held a steaming platter of stuffed manicotti, a large bowl of seasoned green beans, and a basket of freshly baked rolls.
     
    “Sit there,” my mother said to Anthony. “Next to Gina.”
     
    Aunt Lorna came into the room and took her usual place at the table as we settled into our seats across from her. “So glad you could join us for dinner tonight, Anthony.”
     
    “I appreciate the invitation,” he said, his gaze shifting my direction.
     
    “Can’t keep your eyes off her?” my aunt said with a knowing smile. “Can’t say that I blame you. She’s a pretty one.”
     
    If I could slide under the table, I would. Talk about being obvious.
     
    “How could she not be?” Anthony replied with a grin. “I mean look at her mother and her aunt. With those genes, beauty’s guaranteed.”
     
    My mom and Aunt Lorna ate it up. But that shouldn’t surprise me. Anthony Carboni was one smooth operator when it came to women. I couldn’t let myself forget that.
     
    “You’re too sweet,” my mother said giddily as she reached for her napkin. “I’m so glad you could join us tonight.”
     
    “A guy would have to be crazy to turn down one of your home-cooked meals.”
     
    Now that wasn’t a line meant to flatter. It was the truth. Anthony’s mother didn’t spend much time in the kitchen anymore. Not since she’d started going through her mid-life crisis with Lance.
     
    But Anthony’s flattery did have my mother smiling from ear to ear. Complimenting her cooking was a surefire way to her heart.
     
    “You know you have an open invitation to join us for dinner anytime.” She looked to me. “The place just won’t be the same with both you and Gina living somewhere else.”
     
    Like my friends, he had found an apartment and moved into it the week before. While I missed seeing him every day, he hadn’t moved that far away. A few blocks at most. And he still came into the restaurant to eat whenever I was working.
     
    “Gina’s moving out?”
     
    I nodded. “I’m moving in with Carlina, Mia and Alisa.”
     
    “The place won’t be the same,” my father pouted. “First you, now Gina. All my family’s leaving me.”
     
    “You still have me,” my sister chirped.
     
    “Of course we do, honey,” my mom replied.
     
    Their words drifted past me unheard. All I could focus on was my father referring to me and Anthony as family, knowing if they had their way he really would be.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER EIGHT
     
     
     
    “Gina can tell us all about her new job while we have some of that delicious cheesecake she made?” my mom announced as she passed out dessert plates and forks.
     
    Just when I’d begun to think I would make it through dinner without the subject of my new job coming up. I should have known it was too much to hope for.
     
    Anthony looked up at me in surprise. “You found another job?”
     
    He didn’t have to sound so surprised. “Yes.”
     
    “She’s in the entertainment business,” my mother announced for me.
     
    “Entertainment?” my father repeated.
     
    “Singing telegrams,” Carla said with a grin.
     
    “Who said anything about singing?” I demanded, my cheeks heating with embarrassment.
     
    “Mom said you were delivering telegrams and the only ad in the paper for that required singing, too.”
     
    “You forgot to mention that part,” my mother said. “But then you were probably too excited when we talked to realize you had left that