Read Online Perfectly Charming (A Morning Glory Novel Book 2) by Liz Talley - Free Book Online Page A

I have a boat—a charter fishing business,” he said, taking the bottle and the bottle opener she’d pulled from a drawer from her hand. He had a need to be useful. She looked like she might argue with him about taking over the chore of opening the wine, but she gave up in favor of finding glasses.
    “So you’re a fisherman?”
    “No. More like a guide. I find fish for people who want a memorable vacation. Late spring all the way into fall is my busy season, but I took the day off on account of the birthday blowout. Morgan goes all out for every event. You should have been here for the Fourth. There was a slip and slide.”
    “I can only imagine. So are you and Morgan . . .” She trailed off with a question in her voice.
    “Friends. Just friends.” He wanted to make that emphatically clear. Not sure why, because he hadn’t carried a torch for Jess Culpepper in years. When he was a kid sitting across from her in that too-tight cheerleading uniform, he’d practically drooled on the desk they shared. She’d never acted annoyed with him like other girls had—in fact, she’d always been kind. Tolerant of his mooning over her. Made him wince to think back on how lame he must have been. He’d brought her silly pencil erasers and her favorite candy bar. She’d always acted so pleased with his thoughtfulness, and now he knew she must have thought his adolescent crush so annoying. He’d made a fool out of himself for her. But that had been long ago. Now he was a different person.
    Jess snagged a pair of wineglasses with flip-flops painted on them. “This is all I can find.”
    “That’ll do,” he said as the cork made a satisfying pop, coming loose.
    “Since I’m new, what are the good takeout places?” she asked.
    “Partytime Pizza and Little China are two safe bets. What are you in the mood for?”
    Jess took the wine from him and poured a hefty portion into a goblet. “Definitely Chinese.”
    Ryan pulled his cell phone from his pocket and hit his favorites list. Little China delivered to him at least once a week. A cook he wasn’t. “Hey, Lin.”
    His friend Henry Lin responded with, “You want usual?”
    “Yeah, and add . . .” He arched a brow at Jess.
    “Sesame chicken, one spring roll,” Jess said, handing him the glass with the lukewarm wine. He took it and relayed her order to Lin, giving the man the unit number for delivery.
    “Ah, you with girl tonight, player?” Lin asked a bit too loudly.
    “You know it, bro,” Ryan said into the receiver, winking at Jess.
    “You so lucky, Ry. I work all the time. No time for honeys.” Lin sounded disgusted.
    “Lin, I’m having dinner with an old friend. No being a player tonight. Can you deliver for seven?” he asked. After confirming the order and telling his friend he’d see him at the tennis courts soon, Ryan hung up.
    “Player?” Jess drawled, opening the freezer to fetch an ice cube, which she promptly plopped into her wine. “Want one?”
    He nodded, and she slipped an ice cube into his wine. “I’ve cultivated a certain reputation among delivery guys.” He lifted his glass, clinking it against hers. “To old friends and new beginnings.”
    She lifted her glass. “I’d rather drop the old, thank you very much.”
    They each took a sip. Ryan allowed his gaze to wander over his “old” friend. Jess had thick, curly hair that often stuck out in riotous curls around her face. Her skin was golden, her eyes a sleek feline brown, her chin pointed elfishly. She was taller than most women, about five foot ten, and her breasts were a nice size, slightly out of proportion with her long, slim-hipped angularity. Back in high school, Jess had had an untouchable vibe, a sort of innate coolness and confidence. Her smiles weren’t easily given, but when she did smile, it was as if the heavens opened. Her words were measured, her intentions always clear, her tongue razor sharp. He’d thought she was all that and a bag of chips.
    “So what