Read Online Ready to Wed by Cindi Madsen - Free Book Online Page A

“And I’m an independent woman now, remember?”
    “Right. At least until you get arrested for assault on a socialite wannabe.”
    “All good things have to end sometime,” I said with a laugh, then wished her luck at tonight’s job and hung up. This was why we were good for each other. Whenever one of us got angry, the other one knew just what to say to make it all okay, while still acknowledging the suckiness of the situation.
    My door chimed, and Brendan stepped inside. His height and the fact that he was so built compared to the scrawny boy I used to know struck me again. Today he had on a navy button-down and a black tie, and his hair was smoothed into place, a total business look that was part intimidation and part yum.
    Okay, I did not just think of Brendan West, the guy I used to climb trees with and have sleepovers with, where The Sandlot and The Mighty Ducks were the main forms of entertainment, as yum .
    “Hey,” he said, his boyish grin taking the edge off the serious look.
    Yep, yum. He’s definitely yum.
    As he came closer, I noticed he smelled nice, too. Something crisp yet earthy. “I know you said your life is crazy now, but I was driving by your office, saw the light on, and thought I’d take a chance and see if you had plans.”
    “Sad pathetic plans involving takeout and kicking back on the couch that also currently doubles as my bed.” I lifted the thick magazine I’d just been admiring. “But I do have my office supply porno mag, so not totally pathetic.”
    Amusement crinkled the corners of Brendan’s eyes as he glanced at it. “Kinky.”
    I laughed and slid the magazine into my bag. “What did you have in mind?”
    …
    “I swear this is the best Italian in the city,” I said.
    “I lova good Italian joint,” Brendan said in the worst Italian accent I’d ever heard.
    I shook my head but couldn’t help laughing. “You’re still a total ham.”
    “You know what they say. If it ain’t broke…” He reached in front of me and opened the door to the restaurant. As I passed, he picked up a strand of my hair. “This is different than it was the other day. Looks good.”
    “Thanks. I just had it done, actually. I can’t believe you noticed.” Grant often complimented how I looked, but he didn’t notice haircuts or new outfits or jewelry. Which was fine, but it was nice that someone appreciated Raquel’s handiwork besides me.
    “Well, my job is all about the details.”
    “Just like the devil,” I said, and Brendan’s eyebrows drew together. “You know. The devil is in the details.”
    One side of his mouth kicked up. “Yes, just like the devil, then. My mom’s so proud.”
    I laughed again, relieved things between us were so easy so quickly. I couldn’t handle any more complicated relationships.
    “Dakota, Dakota, Dakota.” Antonia, the woman who ran the restaurant with her husband and sometimes catered my smaller weddings, came forward, shaking her head as she looked at me, which wasn’t the reaction I usually got when I came in to pick up dinner. “I read about it in the paper today. Your failed wedding.” She picked up my hand and patted it. “Are you okay? I read Enrico the article, and he says, ‘What kind of a guy would stand up that sweet girl?’”
    She stared at me like she actually expected an answer, then her eyebrows lowered as she looked at Brendan. “That’s not him, right? I remember him being shorter. Darker hair.”
    Heat crept up my neck and into my cheeks, and I was back to feeling like I should hunt Phoebe down and throttle her again. Leave it to her to make my humiliating situation mortifying. “This is a friend of mine. We’re just here for dinner.”
    “Oh. Well, I have a nephew who’s single. He works in the kitchen. Maybe I introduce you sometime?”
    Instead of brushing her off, or even attempting to explain that the last thing I was in the mood for was a setup, I said, “Hey, if he can make lasagna, I’m sold.”
    A huge smile