Read Online Standing By: A Knight's Tale #2 by Claudia Y. Burgoa - Free Book Online Page A

bad’ then rub your tummy and make a yum sound. Now, if all of the above are beyond your scope, then stay quiet instead of making yourself sound like an arrogant ass.”
    “Arrogant ass?”
    “Yes, it’s when you say things like: ‘ I can cook you something much better . This is too greasy .’”
    “Do I also sound like a whiney little girl?” she stomps her foot and makes a noise that sounds more like a moan.
    We’re at the bowling alley at four in the afternoon eating junk: mac-n-cheese—Hayley’s favorite meal, nachos and a variety of tacos. They are acceptable but as I told her before, I can cook something better.
    “From the first day we’ve eaten together, you’ve made sure to inform me that there’s nothing better than what you cook.”
    “You admitted that my mac-n-cheese is the best you’ve ever tasted,” I say as she takes her bowling ball. She walks toward the lane, seizes the target and swings her arm after walking two steps, then Hayley and I watch her stupid ball score another strike. As of yet, I haven’t found anything that’ll take her concentration away. “I haven’t said such a thing about your pastries, Miss Éclair.”
    “Because those are baked goods.” She grins.
    I shake my head, surprised that she didn’t sneer about the nickname. I need a new pastry related nickname for her.
    “You’re the one who makes me sound like an egotistical asshole.” I grab my ball and head to the lane. “Which I’m not.”
    “That’s you, Mitch, without the a-hole part,” she says as I try to tune her out. “Your ego likes to take part in every event, Mr. Knight. I can guarantee you that it is the biggest thing you have going there.” She pokes me on the back with that pointy finger of hers.
    Gutter ball.
    “Oh sweetheart, I do pretty well in all departments.” I turn to look at her and pin her down with my stare, one I try to complement with a provocative grin. I’m trying to behave and stay away from those tempting curves of hers, but there’s only so much a man can stand before acting stupid instead of moving away. I bend to brush her cheek with my lips, and the surge of electricity that hits me is too intense for me to handle, but I try to act casual. A week with this woman has been more fun than I thought. “I have something bigger than my ego; let me know when you want to try it.”
    “And that would be?” she takes her ball and releases it, not missing one pin, damn it. When she comes back I look down at my groin; the furrows in her brow deepen, and her eyes shine for a second before they close. “Are you going to finish losing or would you rather call this a day?”
    Nice recovery , I want to say.
    “You defeated me.” I throw my hands in the air since I don’t know what game we’re playing anymore. My next move will surpass a brush on the lips but if I raise the stakes too high, I’ll end up with my balls cut off for trying to make a foolish move. “We can head to one of my restaurants for some real food.”
    “Not that I didn’t enjoy today,” Hayley says stretching her neck to look up at me.
    I tower over her a little more than a foot and she looks so darn cute frowning with annoyance at me.
    “Are we going to waste this food? I didn’t get to eat more than a bite of those— not as amazing as yours —tacos.”
    “Tell you what, we’ll go to Frida & Diego’s , eat there while checking up on Johnny.”
    “Your assistant?” I nod.
    “As long as you don’t do the same thing you did on Saturday,” she lifts that index finger pointing at me and I raise my one eyebrow expectantly to hear what I did. “Putting me to work in the kitchen when I enjoy serving in the dining hall more.”
    “Nope,” I refuse to let her interact with my customers. I recall the time she kicked a customer of Le Cuisine for being rude to her. That’s something the manager should solve, not her. “Muffin, when you let me take care of your customers without babysitting me, I’ll