Hotter than Helen (The "Bobby's Diner" Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

deserve a man like Hawthorne too, Georgette.”
    She seemed almost mad, but Georgette felt it was just Helen acting.
    “He’s simply adorable,” she added, which made Georgette smile.
    Georgette turned her back on them, poured the water into the coffee maker, closed the lid, pressed it on and turned to them both. “I know. I look at him and get, you know, aroused.”
    “Oh, gack, Georgie.” Roberta put a finger in each ear.
    “La, la la … I can’t hear you.”
    “You’re such a baby.” Georgette smiled and hugged her step-daughter. “Come on. The boys are probably getting restless. That Martin sure is cute.” She nudged Helen.
    “He’s okay. Kind of thin. I don’t like thin much anymore.” She looked down, acting embarrassed about how she may have sounded.
    Georgette and Roberta both understood the reference to Helen’s late husband, the mayor.
    “Come on. Let’s get back in there.” Georgette avoided the subject and headed out of the kitchen.
    As the women walked in, Rick walked up to Roberta quickly. “Rob, I was just about ready to come and get you.”
    Speaking to the small crowd she said, “He can’t live without me.”
    “Shut up.”
    “Oh, Rick. It’s true. I remember you coming to the house once …”
    “Okay, ladies. It’s true. I’m nothing without her. Just a lousy piece of flesh.”
    “A nice piece of flesh, Rick.” Roberta kissed his cheek and before she could fight him he flipped her around in a dip and kissed her hard on the neck. The theatrics made the group roar with laughter, especially Hawthorne.
    “Oh, whoa there, stallion. Hold up now. Before you know it, this party will have turned into an orgy.”
    “Lord, Hawthorne. You’re terrible.” Georgette giggled and snuck under his arm, giving him a hug on her way to the couch. She pushed the cat off and sat down. “Come sit by me, you gorgeous hunk of man.”
    “Oh my, dear girl. I do think you want a little action.”
    “Ick.” Helen got out through a tumble of giggles. “He’s so, so,”
    “So amorous, Helen?” Hawthorne interjected on his own account.
    “No, I was going to say, gross.” She busted out laughing. “I don’t know about you, but I don’t want any stinking coffee. What I’d really like is another glass of champagne!”
    “Oh, I was just dying for somebody to say that. Me too.” Georgette jumped up from the couch, but Hawthorne pulled her down. She screamed and laughed. “Let me go, you big lug. You big, gorgeous lug.” He kissed her to shut her up. She seemed to melt.
    “Oh. Please.” Helen made a face like she’d eaten a worm.
    “Helen. If you want someone to kiss you, I can certainly help you out.” When Martin Tanner spoke the words, the room hushed for a second. Roberta’s hand covered her mouth. Hawthorne and Helen went quiet. Helen blushed. “I mean, I wouldn’t want you to feel left out.” His last words crushed everybody. With everyone laughing at once, no one could tell who laughed first.
    “Oh my.” Helen held her hand to her chest. “Well, maybe we could talk a little first.” Her comment made Hawthorne burst out laughing even harder, so hard he started to cough.
    “How about some music?” Martin suggested. “We can talk while we dance.”
    Hawthorne continued to cough, making him jump up from the couch, worrying Georgette.
    “Honey, you okay?”
    “Oh, good gravy, George.” He laughed through his coughing spell. “I’m dying.” He raced toward the kitchen. “The cure? …Champagne!” He disappeared but continued to entertain the rest of them by laughing so hard. “Honey. Oh. Jeez, honey. Turn up the music, for Chrissake!”
     
    9
    As the four of them drove up and parked, the twinkling chili pepper lights trimming the eave, lining the doors and wrapping around two saguaro cacti like candy canes gave Chavelo’s a Christmas-y feel amid the vast barren desert that now was turning dark around the restaurant. All four of them jumped out of Hawthorne’s big