Read Online Game On by Lillian Duncan - Free Book Online

wasn’t technically a citizen. In her heart, Maiden would always be home.
    The old-fashioned diner had been an actual dining car at some time.
    Picking up a menu, Nikki hurried to the only empty booth.
    The waitress walked over. “Are you ready? If not, I can come back in a few.”
    “The chicken-fried steak, but I want chicken gravy instead of the white. Mashed potatoes and a diet soda.”
    “Got it.”
    “Thanks, Misty.”
    The waitress looked up from her order pad. “Well, as I live and breathe, if it ain’t Nikki Kent. Sorry I didn’t recognize you. It’s as busy as a mall on Christmas Eve here today.”
    “Don’t worry about it. We can catch up later if it slows down.”
    “Not too slow, I hope.” Misty touched the pocket of her apron. “I need my tips. It won’t take too long for your food.”
    “Thanks.” Nikki’s gaze moved to the door as the tinkling of the bell announced a new patron. The blood rushed to her face. He was supposed to be in DC. She hadn’t seen Lucas in sixteen years and now twice in a week. Maybe he was the one stalking her. Obviously not. He hadn’t noticed she was in the restaurant yet.
    Lucas walked up to the customers in the first booth and gave a sunny smile. “Hi. I’m Lucas McMann, the congressman for this district.” He schmoozed his way through the diner.
    She’d been too busy yesterday being angry to take notice. He’d aged. No longer a boy, his brown hair had been replaced with some silver. He still had that sexy grin and those pale blue eyes that reminded her of a North Carolina sky after a hard rain. No wonder he kept getting reelected for every position he ran for. Voters loved a handsome politician. And as much as she hated to admit it, Lucas was that. Not that she cared.
    “So, how are you fine folks today?” he asked the customers in the booth next to hers.
    Lucas glanced at her and then back at the people, but a second later, he focused back on her. A slow smile as he nodded while the woman in the booth told him exactly what she thought about the terrible condition of the state’s roads.
    He straightened up. “I know what you mean, ma’am. And I promise to look into the matter.”
    “Sounds as if you have the right idea, Congressman. Take care of the roads and I might just vote for you.”
    “I’ll do my best. It was nice to meet you.” He walked to Nikki’s booth with his hand held out. “Lucas—”
    “So I heard.” She glared at him, hoping he would get her hidden message. Go away . “I don’t vote.”
    “That’s OK. I’m here to get a bite to eat at my favorite restaurant. Is it all right with you if I sit here? Doesn’t seem to be any other seats available.”
    She had told him not to talk to her if he saw her. But that was in DC. He must think it was all right here. But it wasn’t. He either hadn’t gotten her message, or more likely, chose to ignore it. She nodded. “I suppose.”
    “Thank you so much. And I promise, no politics.”
    “Not likely.”
    “Such a cynic.” Instead of sitting in the empty side, he sat down beside her, giving her no choice but to scoot over as he slid into the booth. “If you don’t like politics, what do you like?”
    “None of your business.”
    Misty walked over with a huge platter in her hand. A lake of chicken gravy decorated the mashed potatoes and the crispy battered steak. She leaned past Lucas and set the platter down. “Here you go, Nikki.”
    “That looks wonderful. Thanks, Misty.”
    Lucas smiled at the waitress. “Oh, that looks good enough to eat. I’ll have the same. Only I want the white gravy.”
    “Nice to see you again, Congressman McMann.”
    “Call me Lucas, please.”
    Misty pulled out her order pad and wrote his order down. “And to drink?”
    “Coffee—black.”
    “Anything else?”
    “Oh, yeah. I’ll have one of your famous berry cobblers. And make that à la mode, please.”
    Misty smiled. “You want the cobbler after your meal, I’m assuming.”
    “You