Read Online Sizzling by Susan Mallery - Free Book Online Page B

dialed.

It took a
couple of transfers, but he finally got hold of Coach Roberts. After
introducing himself he said, "I'm sorry about the mess with the
return tickets. I didn't know anything about the problem until a
couple of days ago. The travel agency my manager hired dropped the
ball. I, ah, had him send a check reimbursing everyone for their
expenses. Did you get it?"

"Oh, we got it," the
coach said. "It was great. It didn't cover shit, but, hey, it's
the thought that counts, right?"

Reid straightened. "What
are you talking about?"

"Do you really think a
thousand dollars covers seventeen kids and their families?"

A
thousand dollars? "No. There's been a mistake. It was supposed
to cover everything."

"I don't know what the hell
kind of game you think this is, Buchanan. You're the worst kind of
asshole. This is a poor town in a poor part of the state. These kids
come from working class families. They can't afford tickets, even on
the bus. One family's car got repossessed because they had to make a
choice— make the car payment or get their kids home. They
picked the kids. Now you send a check for a thousand dollars like
that means anything?"

"It was supposed to be more,"
Reid mumbled, feeling like crap. Why had Seth done it? Why such a
small amount?

"Those kids looked up to you," Coach
Roberts continued. "They idolized you. You made their dreams
come true and then you crushed them into dust."

"I'm
sorry," Reid repeated.

"You sure as hell are. A
sorry kind of man. You're everything I don't want these kids to
be."

He felt numb. "I want to make it up to them. Do
something. Can I send them all to Disney World or something?"

"Oh,
right. That would be great. Like anyone can afford a trip home from
Florida. I'd tell you to stick with what you know— screwing
women— but apparently you can't even do that right. Go away. No
one here wants anything to do with you. We can't afford your type of
charity."

And the phone went dead.

* * *
    THE OUTSIDE OF THE upscale Asian restaurant was elegant. Subtle
colors, a sparse but very Zen-looking garden and a patio off to the
right that could be used for summer outdoor dining.

Dani
parked close to the front door and walked inside. Her interview was
with Jim Brace, the owner.

The décor was sparse, but
beautiful. Lots of glass with accents of brightly colored fabric. The
huge dining room was double the size of The Waterfront and spread out
in all directions.

As it was a couple of hours before opening,
there weren't many people around. She flagged a busboy who was
setting tables and asked for Jim.

The man stared at her. "Does
he know you're here?"

It wasn't the question that
startled her as much as the worry in his eyes.

"I have an
appointment with him."

"Oh, okay. I'll go get him."
He started to leave, then turned back to her. "Stay here and
don't touch anything."

"Promise," Dani said,
wondering what it was she was supposed to not be touching.

She
returned to the reception desk in the foyer and drew in a deep
breath. This was her first interview and it was a big one. Jim
Brace's restaurant was one of the best in Seattle. Restaurant critics
argued about which was more exquisite— the food or the service.
Starting here was like making a film debut in a summer
blockbuster.

She reminded herself she had more than enough
experience and that obviously Jim had been impressed by her résumé.
If she didn't get the job, at least she would have the interview
experience for the next time.

A tall, slim man walked toward
her. She recognized Jim from seeing his picture in the paper and
smiled at him.

"Mr. Brace, I'm Dani Buchanan."

"Call
me Jim, please, and I'll call you Dani." He shook hands with her
and led her toward the back of the restaurant. "Have you eaten
here before?"

"A couple of times. The food is
incredible."

"Secret recipes," he joked. "My
mother is half Chinese and my father's brother spent years in Japan.
I grew up in both places, learning the language, but