How We Lived (Entangled Embrace) Read Online Free PDF Page A

door closed behind us, I glanced over my shoulder. He was watching us like I knew he would be, but his gaze was locked lower, on my hand in Bear’s.
    …
    -Chase-
    Vito’s smelled like heaven. Spices and the sweet smell of tomato sauce assaulted me when I walked in. Better than the smell was the taste. At the bar, the boss, Vito’s wife, placed a plate in front of me.
    I picked up my fork, ready to dive right in. I never met a dish of his I didn’t like. “I can already tell this is going to be awesome.”
    The older woman smiled. Her kind face was stacked full with wrinkles. “He said you will like.”
    I chuckled. He knew me all right. “I’m sure I will.”
    A glow I could only describe as pride lit her face. “He wants to put it on the menu.”
    I cut a piece of the stuffed chicken off with my fork. “You tell him I agree.”
    She blushed, which highlighted her age. “But you haven’t tried yet.”
    “Trust me, the smell alone is enough to make me agree.”
    “Hey, Nana,” a voice broke in.
    Rosie, Vito’s granddaughter, stopped next to me. She was pretty. We’d worked together in the kitchen a couple times and even hung out after work. A year older than me, she had her shit together, which I so obviously did not. She owned an apartment down the block and worked full-time as a receptionist at a dentist’s office. She moved here to help out at her grandparents’ restaurant when she could. The best thing about her was she didn’t know my past. Not entirely, anyway.
    She was nice, and funny, and cute, but she wasn’t Kelsey Larkin.
    “Hey,” I said.
    A big smile crossed her face and she gave me a hug. “Hey, Chase.”
    I hugged her back, but it felt nothing like having Kels in my arms.
    She pouted. “I didn’t know you were helping out today.”
    Had we been in high school, I would have been all over that shit. Who was I kidding? If I’d met her outside of the last year and a half, I still would’ve been all over that shit. “I’m not working for your grandfather tonight. I’m here strictly on Community Outreach business. Actually, I practically begged your grandfather to make me some food.”
    “I’ve been begging him to make me food since I was a little girl.” She ran around the bar, gave her nana a hug, and then came back around to sit next to me.
    I took a bite of Vito’s new dish. “Mmm. This is good.”
    She leaned over and breathed in deep. “Is that his new concoction?”
    I nodded. “It’s delicious.”
    “Can I…try?” A small smile toyed at her lips before she licked them. “Just a taste?”
    Crap. I’d tried to put out enough unavailable vibes for her to get, but I couldn’t be rude to Vito’s granddaughter. Also, girls like her weren’t used to getting turned down. She knew what she had and used it to her full advantage.
    I handed her my fork. “Sure.”
    She frowned, but took a bite. “Mmm,” she moaned. “It’s so good.” She licked the fork one last time and then handed it back to me. “So, what are your plans tonight?”
    I looked at the fork. Yep, she knew what she was doing. As long as she never took it too far, I wouldn’t say anything. I didn’t want to embarrass the girl. “You’re looking at them.”
    “Well”—she twirled her finger along the wood of the bar—“my friends and I—”
    “Chase, my boy.” Vito pushed through the swinging doors of the kitchen. “You like?”
    Rosie’s body sagged a little on the stool.
    Thank God for the interruption. I wasn’t up for the whole “I killed my best friend in a car accident and I think I’m in love with his sister even though I’ll probably never get a shot with her” talk tonight.
    “It’s so good, Vito. Seriously.” I wiped my face with the napkin. “When do you want to start adding it to the menu? They’re going to love it.”
    “As soon as possible.” The smile he’d just worn faltered as his eyes locked on something behind me.
    I glanced over my shoulder. Bear stood a few