Read Online Skinny Bitch Gets Hitched by Kim Barnouin - Free Book Online

wall, one hand stirring the fragrant pot of Jamaican jerk tofu, and the other hand working a sofrito of onions and garlic sautéing in olive oil, I couldn’t help but close my eyes and breathe in the delicious aromas of the kitchen. The ginger, limes, cayenne, and bit of maple syrup in the jerk sauce wafted up from the pot in front of me. I had to remember to bring home some of the jerk tofu for Sara—she wasn’t crazy about tofu but loved jerk seasoning and called it Jerk Joefu.
    â€œThey’re here,” Finn said, coming into the kitchen. “Matteo just sat them.”
    The infamous mother had arrived. I glanced around for a spare hand and spotted Evan McMann helping Gunnar chop; I waved Evan over to stir my pots and headed over to the out door, which had a small window.
    I didn’t have a perfectly clear view of table five across the restaurant, but I could see Zach pointing at the menu and saying something to his brother, Gareth, who sat beside him. Seated on Zach’s other side was a striking woman in her late fifties, tall, regal, and quite beautiful. Dominique Jeffries Huffington. She wore a black, sleeveless dress, a lot of bling, and the kind of small, weird hat you’d spot at a British royal wedding. Sitting next to her must be the stepdaughter, Keira, no older than twenty-one, twenty-two tops, also tall and thin, with long, ombré-brown hair, small, dark eyes, a long, sloping nose, and a wide, glossy mouth. The features combined to make her almost beautiful. Next to Keira was Avery, Zach’s fraternal twin.
    â€œI wonder how long you have to be on best behavior,” Gunnar said as he slid vegetable chunks on a skewer for blackened kebabs. “Family isn’t family until you’re arguing over stupid crap at Thanksgiving.”
    â€œHold the fort and wish me luck,” I said to the kitchen staff.
    I pushed through the swinging door of the kitchen into the main dining room and headed toward table five. A smattering of people waited in the open lounge area on the padded benches. The juice bar was full of those waiting to be seated, ordering from the bar menu of tapas and drinking my energysmoothie. I smiled at my guests as I walked through the room. I asked one table how the fettuccine was, and I welcomed a new table that had just turned over, signaling a waiter to refill lemon-water glasses.
    As I approached, Zach stood up and took my hand.
    â€œMom, Keira, this is Clementine.”
    â€œI’m thrilled to finally meet you,” Dominique said, grasping my hand in both of hers. “You’re as lovely as everyone told me.”
    I beamed at her. “Thank you. I’m so happy to meet you too.”
    Zach looked a lot like his mother—the almond-shaped blue eyes, the perfect nose, the dark hair, and something in their expression.
    â€œMe too,” Keira said. “Congrats on getting engaged.”
    They were both much nicer than I expected.
    Avery and Gareth stood up and hugged me. As Gareth sat back down, he said, “So what should I order?”
    â€œI’ll bet you’d like the Jamaican jerk tofu,” Avery told him. “I’ve had it and it’s amazing.”
    Keira was looking at the back of the menu, where drinks were listed. “I don’t see Diet Coke and I’m dying for a cold blast of caffeine.”
    â€œThe place is called Clementine’s No Crap Café for a reason,” Avery told her. “No crap.”
    â€œIs caffeine crap?” Keira asked, clearly confused.
    â€œDiet Coke is drinkable chemicals,” Avery said, saving me the trouble.
    â€œOh,” Keira said. “I’ll have a Diet Sprite or whatever, then.”
    â€œWe don’t serve soda,” I said. “We have all kinds of great juices and smoothies and wines and beer.”
    â€œAvery, order something I’ll like,” Keira said.
    â€œWell, this is such a darling little place,” Dominique said,