Read Online Love in the Morning by Meg Benjamin - Free Book Online

direction, but it didn’t seem serious. “I’m capable of introducing myself, Nona.”
    Nona was unfazed. “Of course you are. You just won’t do it unless pushed. I thought I’d save us all some time.”
    The blonde waitress they’d seen earlier at the bar stepped up to the table. “Hi, Nona. Hi, Dick. Hi, Clark. Who’s this?” She raised a questioning eyebrow in Lizzy’s direction.
    â€œThis is my new chef, Lizzy Apodaca.” Clark gave the waitress a dry smile. “Are you here to take our orders, Ronnie?”
    â€œOh yeah, I guess I am.” She gave them another of those dazzling smiles, turning toward Lizzy. “I’m Ronnie Ventura, by the way.”
    Dick muttered something that sounded like “yeah, we know” but Ronnie didn’t seem to hear him. Or maybe she didn’t care, which struck Lizzy as a healthy attitude.
    â€œSo what’s on the menu tonight, Ronnie?” Nona gave her an encouraging look. Apparently Ronnie needed some prompting.
    She reached into the pocket of her fairly tight jeans, inching out her cheat sheet. “Well, there’s the usual, plus we’ve got a special tonight on Acapulco chicken. Soup du jour of the day is tomato basil.”
    Dick’s jaw went tight. “You know, du jour means of the day .”
    â€œYeah?” Ronnie’s eyebrows went up. “That’s interesting. French, I guess. I took Spanish myself.”
    â€œCould we maybe get a menu here?” Clark said.
    Ronnie’s perfect forehead furrowed slightly. “Oh, I didn’t know you’d need one. I mean you’re in here all the time.”
    â€œI’m in here all the time, but Lizzy isn’t.” Clark’s jaw was beginning to look like Dick’s.
    Ronnie glanced in Lizzy’s direction, her expression morphing into concern. “Oh my gosh, I’m so sorry. I didn’t even think.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” Lizzy said quickly. “I’ll just have a burger and fries. No menu necessary.”
    â€œOur burgers are really great. You’ll love them.” Ronnie beamed at her again.
    â€œI’m sure I will.” Actually, Lizzy was pretty sure she’d love anything she hadn’t cooked herself.
    Ronnie gave them another beaming smile, while Sonnenfeld cleared his throat.
    â€œDrinks?” He raised an eyebrow in her direction.
    â€œMake it a pitcher of the local stuff,” Clark said quickly. “On my tab.”
    Ronnie nodded. “Coming right up.” She turned and threaded her way back through the crowded dance floor.
    Nona looked after her, eyes narrowed. “You know, she’s actually getting better. And she’s really not dumb. She just comes across that way sometimes.”
    â€œShe’s not dumb at all,” Sonnenfeld said dryly. “She’s where she wants to be, doing what she wants to do. And Saltzman is right there to pick up after her.”
    Lizzy glanced at the bar. Ted Saltzman was smiling patiently in Ronnie’s direction as she gave him her order.
    â€œIs he actually cooking tonight along with running the bar?” she asked Clark.
    He shook his head. “He’s got a cook back in the kitchen, but he still oversees what she does. Just like he’s got another bartender, but he’s still behind the bar himself every night.”
    â€œWhich is why his bar is a success,” Dick cut in. “Saltzman knows his stuff. And he cares about what happens to his bar.”
    Clark nodded. “He’s good at what he does. No question.”
    â€œSo are you,” Nona added quickly.
    Clark gave her a dry smile. “Yes I am, Nona. No ego strokes required.”
    Nona turned back in Lizzy’s direction again. “So how do you like working at Praeger House?”
    â€œVery much. We’ve got a great kitchen.” Even if it was criminally understaffed.
    â€œI’ve been hearing some