Read Online Worst Date Ever (Scandals #3) by Kathy Clark - Free Book Online Page B

say welcome home to you, too,” I commented dryly.
    He burst out laughing, then grabbed his ribs and groaned.  “Don’t make me laugh.  It hurts too much.”
    He held up his arms that were one big raw scrape from wrists to elbows.  “I left about five pounds of skin on your parking lot.  And my ribs are wrapped.  I’m a mess.”
    He did look pretty beat up.  He had a butterfly bandage over a couple of stitches on his forehead and bruises on his chin and left cheek. 
    “All that will heal,” Liberty spoke up.  “But I’ll bet your heart is broken about Tamara.”
    His shoulders drooped, and his expression was so sad it took away all my doubts about whether or not he’d been in love with her.
    An attractive woman entered the lobby from the hallway that led to Michael’s private residence. I was just about to withdraw my vote of confidence for Michael when he introduced her. 
    “Ladies, this is Kimberly.”
    “Hi Kimberly,” Liberty smiled.  “You work for Michael?”
    “Oh dear no.  I’m just an old family friend”
    “One of his clients?” I couldn’t resist asking.
    She held up her left hand and flashed an impressive wedding ring.  “I married my college sweetheart,” she told me, then smiled.  “Actually, Michael’s one of my clients.”  She took some business cards out of her pocket and handed them to Liberty and me.  They were shaped like a ripe tomato and had the words “ Hot Tomato Catering ” printed on them along with her phone number.   “Michael can’t boil water, so I bring him at least one healthy meal a day.  And I cater his business meetings and dinners.  I’m making a run to the grocery store, so be thinking of your favorite lunch.”
    I wasn’t sure if she was including us in that invitation, so I stayed silent.
    “Can I get you some coffee?  I brought croissants, too,” she told us.  “I baked them this morning.”
    I immediately warmed to her.  Anyone who could bake croissants passed my litmus test.  “Sure, I’ll take coffee…black.”
    “Me too, but with sugar and milk,” Liberty said.
    Kimberly didn’t wait to hear from Michael, but disappeared back down the hall toward what I assumed was probably a gourmet kitchen.  I wouldn’t expect anything less from Michael, even though he couldn’t cook.
    “Couldn’t do without her,” Michael told us.  “The business runs on the ideas that result from the calories we consume.”
    “Back on The Farm everything we ate was fresh.  I think that makes a difference,” Liberty said.
    Michael nodded.  “Yes, that’s right.  I insist that everything’s both fresh and organic.  I haven’t gone gluten-free yet.”
    “Me either,” Liberty agreed. “I like fresh bread and biscuits and pancakes too much.”
    Kimberly returned with a tray that had three cups, a large carafe of steaming coffee, a bowl of raw sugar packets, a small pitcher of milk, a platter heaped with beautiful flaky croissants and extra plates for each of us. “Do you want me to pour?” she asked.
    “No, just leave it on the table,” Michael told her.  “We can serve ourselves.”
    “How about grilled chicken Caesar salads for lunch?”
    Michael looked at us and we both nodded.  “Sounds good.”
    Kimberly set the tray on a table, picked up her purse and left in the elevator.
    We swarmed the tray, and with a plate in one hand and a cup of coffee in the other, Michael led the way to the conference room.
    “Let’s sit down and you can get me up to speed.” Michael set his food at the head of the table, pulled out a chair and sat down.  Liberty and I sat on each side of him.
    The croissants were amazing, and even though I meant to take a couple bites, then get on with my report, I didn’t stop eating until it was completely gone.  I was definitely going to recommend the Hot Tomato for Scandals’ next meeting.  I resisted the urge to lick my fingers and used a napkin to clean my hands before reaching for my backpack.  I