Read Online A Perfectly Imperfect Match (Matchmaking Mamas) by Marie Ferrarella - Free Book Online Page B

sky’s the limit,” she told him. “As long as the sky’s relatively low,” she qualified with a grin that he found infinitely appealing.
    “We could pick up a package of hot dogs and hold them over a fire,” he suggested, doing his best to keep a straight face. As far as he was concerned, she didn’t owe him anything. He liked being helpful.
    Elizabeth shook her head. “I told you, I can’t cook,” she pointed out.
    “That’s not cooking, that’s holding a stick over a fire and occasionally moving your wrist back and forth,” he protested.
    She greeted his explanation with, “Potato, po-tot-to. That’s still considered cooking in some circles—and grilling in others.” She had a feeling that Jared thought she was kidding about her culinary abilities—or inabilities as the case was. She wasn’t. “For everyone’s well-being all around, I’d really rather have a professional take care of preparing the meal.”
    Jared laughed, surrendering. “Okay, you win. No cooking. All right, why don’t you pick the restaurant,” he told her.
    That wasn’t good enough. “I’m thanking you, it’s only fair that you pick,” she told him, remaining firm.
    She came on soft and sweet, but he was beginning to wonder if anyone ever won an argument with this woman. “All right,” he surrendered, “How about Giuseppe’s?”
    She was familiar with the establishment. “Pizza?” she asked.
    The restaurant he’d picked was known for its Italian cuisine in general, but its real specialty was pizza. All sorts of pizza. Thick or thin or stuffed, it offered an almost endless variety of toppings.
    Jared nodded. “I love pizza,” he told her earnestly.
    She was still rather skeptical about his choice—she knew the restaurant wasn’t expensive and had a hunch that was what was really responsible for his choice. He didn’t want her spending a lot of money. His gallantry reminded her of something that her father would have done.
    “Really?” she asked, deliberately scrutinizing his expression.
    “Really,” he told her, never wavering. For good measure, he crossed his heart.
    Elizabeth gave in. Maybe he was on the level. “Okay. Giuseppe’s it is,” she agreed. “I’ll meet you there,” she told him.
    “Fair enough.” He got into his vehicle and leaned out to say something further.
    But it was too late. She was already starting up her car.
    They did start out at the same time, since their vehicles were parked next to each other. But five minutes into the journey, after stopping at a light that was about to turn red in less than the next heartbeat, Jared discovered that he’d lost her.
    Elizabeth hadn’t stopped. Instead, she’d flown through the light and actually made it to the other side of the intersection before the light finished turning red.
    Close to half an hour later, Jared finally pulled up into the popular eatery’s parking lot. The traffic there had been lighter than normal, but it had still come under the heading of “traffic,” which, in California-speak, meant bumper-to-bumper for at least part of the distance.
    Halfway to the restaurant, he’d opted to take an overland route rather than continue traveling on the freeway, which was misnamed if anything ever had been, he thought darkly.
    Parking his vehicle at the edge of the crowded lot, Jared made his way toward the short, squat building, heading for the restaurant’s entrance. He fully expected to have to stand around in front of the double doors, waiting for Elizabeth to arrive. Though he’d kept a vigilant eye out for her, he hadn’t seen any sign of the woman’s vintage vehicle as he drove to the restaurant.
    He was spared the wait...because Elizabeth was already there.
    And, from her cool and calm appearance, she’d been standing there by the entrance awhile now.
    It took him a bit of effort to keep the stunned expression off his face.
    She smiled warmly at him when she saw him approaching the front door. “Hi.”
    “Hi,”