Read Online Before I Do Amazon by Barbara Freethy - Free Book Online

leading them to the outside deck and a table by the railing overlooking the boats.
    "Whatever you want is on the house," Joanie added, handing them both menus. "The chef's special waffle of the day is blueberry, and it's amazing."
    "You say that about everything Tom makes," Nick said.
    "I found a good man, what can I say? My chef, Tom, is also my husband," she explained for Isabella's benefit. "We opened this café three years ago—with Nick's help. We couldn't have done it without him."
    "You could have done it without me; it just would have taken you longer," Nick said.
    "Like a lifetime." Her eyes welled up. "We owe you everything, Nick. I never would have imagined the serious, skinny kid who asked me a million questions would one day be my savior." She turned to Isabella. "He's a good man, in case you were wondering."
    Isabella smiled. "Good to know."
    "You don't have to impress her, Joanie," Nick said. "She's not a date. She's a…business associate."
    "Really? Is that what I am?" she teased. She glanced up at Joanie. "Actually, I'm a dance teacher, and I'm teaching Nick the tango."
    Joanie raised an eyebrow. "The tango? You're learning to dance, Nick? Now that sounds like a story I want to hear."
    "I'll tell you another time," Nick said firmly. "We're kind of hungry here, Joanie."
    "Okay, I'll let you off the hook for now. Why don't I bring you a couple of our favorite dishes, some omelets, waffles, bacon and hash browns. What do you say?"
    "Sounds good to me," Isabella said, handing back her menu. "But what are you bringing for Nick to eat?"
    Joanie laughed. "I like you, Isabella." She gave Nick a pointed look. "She's a lot more fun than those skinny models you usually show up with. They don't eat a thing. It's a waste of good food."
    As Joanie moved away from the table, Isabella said, "Skinny models, huh?"
    He shrugged. "I don't remember."
    "Now that is a lie. You are not a man who forgets anything."
    "You think you know me well enough to make that statement?"
    "I don't know you well at all, but I still think I'm right."
    He laughed. "Maybe this time."
    His grin transformed his face from rigid and unyielding to friendly and warm.
    "You should do that more often," she said. "Smile. It makes you look like a human."
    "Otherwise, I look…"
    "Angry, on your guard, as if you're ready for the worst."
    He sat back in his seat, a contemplative gleam in his eyes. "I am usually ready for the worst. You read people well, Isabella."
    "Sometimes. Not always. I'm trying to get better so I can save myself from painful mistakes."
    "Who was he?" Nick asked.
    The sharp gleam in his eyes told her he wasn't going to let her get away without an answer. "Carter Hayes."
    "What happened?"
    "A lot."
    "Tell me."
    She could have said no. Nick didn't like to talk about himself. He probably would have respected her privacy, but for some reason she found herself wanting to tell him. Maybe then he'd understand why the studio was so important to her.
    "I met Carter in New York. He was getting a reputation for being a brilliant director, and I was awestruck when I met him. I was that foolish, naïve girl who couldn't believe the most popular man in the theater world wanted to date me. I thought I was special, but it turned out I wasn't. But I didn't find out right away. I was living in a dream world for several months."
    "What do you mean?"
    "We'd been going out a few months when a part came up in a new musical Carter was directing for a successful husband and wife production team—Hal and Donna Tyler. Carter got me an audition, and I won the role. It turned out to be a bigger part than either of us expected. Over the next few weeks, as the script got rewritten, my part got bigger. The Tylers and I were on the same page. I loved their musical and they loved the way I danced."
    She took a sip of her water, then continued. "Carter, however, was not so happy. He didn't want me to have the bigger part. He was afraid to risk his reputation on an unknown,