Read Online On the Steamy Side by Louisa Edwards - Free Book Online Page B

eyes to hers, his mussed blond hair making him look like a cherub recently awakened from his afternoon nap on a passing cloud.

    “Lolly! Where on earth have you been?” He rushed to her and threw his arms around her, cracking her ribs with the force of his hug. “I couldn’t find you anywhere last night, and then I had to hear it from Chris . . . from the bartender, that you’d left with Devon Sparks! I didn’t believe him at first, but when you weren’t anywhere in the bar and you didn’t come home . . .” Lilah drank in the familiar cool-water smell of her best friend.

    “The bartender had it right,” she said, affecting as much airy unconcern as she could.

    “No,” Grant said, pulling back and searching her face as if for signs of demon possession.

    “Oh, yes.” Lilah waggled her brows to make her point clear. “I got me some sugar last night.” He went a little green. “Sweet fancy Moses on buttered toast. You had sex with Devon Sparks.”

    “Why so dismayed?” Lilah wanted to know. “You’ve been after me to find someone new since I turned up on your doorstep with a suitcase and a broken heart.”

    “Your heart wasn’t broken, just a little bruised. And I wanted you to find someone wonderful.” Grant scowled.

    Lilah started to feel a little protective of Devon, all of a sudden. It was okay for her to find him annoying and arrogant, but for some reason, she didn’t like hearing Grant badmouth him.

    “Are we talking about the same person?” she asked. “Tall, dark, and hot like burning?”

    “That’s him,” Grant agreed, lip poking out like a petulant child. He’d always been so damn cute, Lilah thought fondly. He’d grown up all controlled and organized, but when he looked like this, she could still see the little neighbor boy who’d tromped down the lane separating their families’ farms, all skinned knees and sun freckles, to ask her aunt could Lolly come out to play.

    “Lilah, I hate to be the one to break it to you,” Grant continued, “but Devon Sparks is an asshat.”

    “Grant!” Lilah was scandalized. “Language. And anyway, don’t worry. It was strictly a one-time deal; I’m sure he’s as eager to forget all about it as I am.”

    Grant gave her a look that clearly stated he knew what she was full of, and it wasn’t rainbows or sunshine, but he didn’t contradict her.

    Full of gratitude for the reprieve, Lilah said, “So what were you moaning about when I first came in?” Reminding him of his earlier grievance proved the perfect distraction. “The menus aren’t done!” Grant cried. “Adam’s leaving for two whole weeks and taking Miranda with him, and the menus will never be done right again!”

    Lilah held out a hand. “Give me the menus, let me see what I can do.” Clutching them to his chest, Grant gave her a suspicious look. “You’ve never worked in a restaurant in your life. There’s nothing fancier than a fried chicken shack in Spotswood County. How will you know what to write?”

    “I taught Hamlet to teenagers, Grant. I think I can handle one stupid menu. Gimme. And eat some of these fried chicken livers before they get cold.”

    Grant exchanged the menu for the paper towel full of tender, crunchy morsels with a happy sigh.

    “Oh, Lolly. Your aunt’s recipe? I have died and gone to heaven.” Lilah preened a little. Here was a man who knew what was good. Stupid Devon Sparks. What did he know about anything? Nothing, that’s what.

    The menu was printed in pretty script on a legal-sized piece of what looked like recycled paper. The heaviness of the paper felt good in her hand, and she liked the nubby texture of it.

    Grabbing a red pencil off the corner of the desk, Lilah perched on the sagging couch set against the back wall and started marking it up.

    “Your boss? Might need remedial kindergarten,” she commented, changing apetiser to appetizer with raised eyebrows.

    “He’s gotten lazy,” Grant slurred, mouth full.