Read Online Waking Up To Love (Lakeside Porches Book 4) by Katie O'Boyle - Free Book Online
Authors: Katie O'Boyle
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“It’s a different kind of beauty, more like the lochs of the Scottish Highlands.”
“I want to very much. In fact, toward that end, I’m working intensely right now with my second-in-command, who’s told me, loudly and clearly for months, that he’s ready to take the helm from time to time. I plan to visit Lyssa, though she doesn’t know it yet.”
“Good,” Manda said.
“What is your business, Kyle?” Joel asked.
“I provide über secure networks for financial wizards like Justin. Very select client base, very exacting in their demands and willing to pay for cutting-edge security.”
“Your own protocols and encryption?” Manda asked.
“Exactly.”
“So, in short,” Joel said, “you’re the genius my uncle knows from his days at University of Chicago’s London campus.”
“Quite right.” Kyle met Joel’s penetrating gaze. “I was a young pup when we met. I’ve no idea why we hit it off, but we’ve been fast friends ever since. With the possible exception of—” His phone chirped. “Bother. I need to run.”
He signaled the waiter, slid a business card across the table for Joel, and a second for Manda. “Manda, yours is for the guide I mentioned, Steve.” He reached across the table to shake Joel’s hand. “Let’s be in touch after you’ve returned to Tompkins Falls. Enjoy your stay in London.”
Manda watched his retreating form. “I have no idea why my lamebrain sister would leave a great guy like that.”
Joel sat back and kneaded her neck. “He’s hurting. I wonder if she is, too.”
“Justin, I apologize for the meltdown last evening and the impact on your household.” After saying exactly the fourteen words she and Gianessa had rehearsed, Lyssa shut her mouth. I will not justify, excuse or repeat that mistake today, no matter how mad he makes me. God help me.
“No harm done, Lyssa. I hope you came this morning because you’re still interested in the job we’re offering you at Tompkins College.” Justin tapped one finger beside his placemat.
“Yes, I am.” Lyssa moistened her lips. He’s as nervous as I am .
“I can repeat the terms I laid out last evening if that would be helpful.”
“Not necessary, but thank you. If the offer still stands, my answer is yes, I accept.”
“Very good.” He placed two sets of documents on the table and pointed to the lines for Lyssa to sign and date. When he’d added his own signature, he gave her one copy and tucked the college’s set in the inside pocket of his suit coat. “Done.”
“Are you ready to order?” The waitress stood a few feet from their table and looked tentatively from Lyssa to Justin and back.
The nametag identified her as Haley. She had chocolate-brown eyes in an arrestingly lovely face.
“Yes, actually,” Lyssa said, “I’m famished. How are your omelets, Haley?”
Haley’s answering smile was wide and white. “Almost as good as my Aunt Gwen’s.” She stepped forward and slipped an order pad from her green-and white-striped apron.
“I knew you looked familiar,” Lyssa said. “I’m Lyssa Doughty. I saw your aunt in London last November. With Justin.”
“So, I am hearing a British accent. I thought so.”
“Indeed. Please say hello to Gwen from Lyssa, if you think of it.”
“I will. Good morning, Justin. Are you having your usual?”
Justin nodded. “Lyssa, order whatever you want,” he said. “Everything’s good.”
“In that case, I’d like the two-egg omelet with spinach and tomato. No toast. Do you have fresh-squeezed orange juice?” At Haley’s nod, she ordered a small one. “And keep the coffee coming, please.”
As Haley headed toward the kitchen, Justin raised his mug to Lyssa. “To a successful and enjoyable three years at Tompkins College.”
Lyssa squared her shoulders and raised her mug with a shaky but sincere smile. “I look forward to it.” She dared to make eye contact as she delivered her next sentence, also rehearsed with Gianessa’s
“I want to very much. In fact, toward that end, I’m working intensely right now with my second-in-command, who’s told me, loudly and clearly for months, that he’s ready to take the helm from time to time. I plan to visit Lyssa, though she doesn’t know it yet.”
“Good,” Manda said.
“What is your business, Kyle?” Joel asked.
“I provide über secure networks for financial wizards like Justin. Very select client base, very exacting in their demands and willing to pay for cutting-edge security.”
“Your own protocols and encryption?” Manda asked.
“Exactly.”
“So, in short,” Joel said, “you’re the genius my uncle knows from his days at University of Chicago’s London campus.”
“Quite right.” Kyle met Joel’s penetrating gaze. “I was a young pup when we met. I’ve no idea why we hit it off, but we’ve been fast friends ever since. With the possible exception of—” His phone chirped. “Bother. I need to run.”
He signaled the waiter, slid a business card across the table for Joel, and a second for Manda. “Manda, yours is for the guide I mentioned, Steve.” He reached across the table to shake Joel’s hand. “Let’s be in touch after you’ve returned to Tompkins Falls. Enjoy your stay in London.”
Manda watched his retreating form. “I have no idea why my lamebrain sister would leave a great guy like that.”
Joel sat back and kneaded her neck. “He’s hurting. I wonder if she is, too.”
“Justin, I apologize for the meltdown last evening and the impact on your household.” After saying exactly the fourteen words she and Gianessa had rehearsed, Lyssa shut her mouth. I will not justify, excuse or repeat that mistake today, no matter how mad he makes me. God help me.
“No harm done, Lyssa. I hope you came this morning because you’re still interested in the job we’re offering you at Tompkins College.” Justin tapped one finger beside his placemat.
“Yes, I am.” Lyssa moistened her lips. He’s as nervous as I am .
“I can repeat the terms I laid out last evening if that would be helpful.”
“Not necessary, but thank you. If the offer still stands, my answer is yes, I accept.”
“Very good.” He placed two sets of documents on the table and pointed to the lines for Lyssa to sign and date. When he’d added his own signature, he gave her one copy and tucked the college’s set in the inside pocket of his suit coat. “Done.”
“Are you ready to order?” The waitress stood a few feet from their table and looked tentatively from Lyssa to Justin and back.
The nametag identified her as Haley. She had chocolate-brown eyes in an arrestingly lovely face.
“Yes, actually,” Lyssa said, “I’m famished. How are your omelets, Haley?”
Haley’s answering smile was wide and white. “Almost as good as my Aunt Gwen’s.” She stepped forward and slipped an order pad from her green-and white-striped apron.
“I knew you looked familiar,” Lyssa said. “I’m Lyssa Doughty. I saw your aunt in London last November. With Justin.”
“So, I am hearing a British accent. I thought so.”
“Indeed. Please say hello to Gwen from Lyssa, if you think of it.”
“I will. Good morning, Justin. Are you having your usual?”
Justin nodded. “Lyssa, order whatever you want,” he said. “Everything’s good.”
“In that case, I’d like the two-egg omelet with spinach and tomato. No toast. Do you have fresh-squeezed orange juice?” At Haley’s nod, she ordered a small one. “And keep the coffee coming, please.”
As Haley headed toward the kitchen, Justin raised his mug to Lyssa. “To a successful and enjoyable three years at Tompkins College.”
Lyssa squared her shoulders and raised her mug with a shaky but sincere smile. “I look forward to it.” She dared to make eye contact as she delivered her next sentence, also rehearsed with Gianessa’s
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