Seal the Deal (1Night Stand Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

murmured, a frown creasing her lovely forehead.
    “Short staffed this evening, and the film crew is due to arrive any minute.”
    “You must be rushed off your feet.” And if so…why wouldn’t she leave them alone?
    “Yes. A lot of my staff phoned in sick. I suspect they’re out watching the seals, though. Or pruning themselves in anticipation of some science fiction actor coming with the filmers.”
    “Who’s the actor?” Anne swept her long fringe to the side. “Do you know?”
    “No idea, they’re being super secretive, but the place will be swarming with press in a few hours. You’d be wise to eat up as quick as possible. I threw coats over on the rack by the door in case you decide to go outside. Dinner is on the house, so you can go wandering as soon as you’re finished up here.”
    “Oh, no, you dinnae need tae do—”
    “Nonsense, Anne. You see my daughter right, do all those home visits on your own time. This is my little way of saying thank you. Besides, I’ll need the dining room for the news crew in an hour. I won’t feel so bad if I hurry you to finish if I don’t charge. Come on. Chop. Chop.”
    “Rowena’s pregnant?”
    Bethany turned and trotted out of the restaurant. Would she alert Rowena of his presence? Crap, he really didn’t want to see her tonight.
    “How do you know Rowena?” Anne’s eyebrows dipped and she leaned forward.
    “Went to school with her.” Explaining how Rowena hurt him would put a damper on the whole evening and make him appear weak.
    “Cool, she’s my patient. Lovely woman—has great taste in music, too.”
    “Oh?”
    She spieled off a list of grunge rock bands mostly from the 90s, many of his own favorites. When they’d dated, Rowena had professed to hate any kind of rock music, especially grunge. He hadn’t known her well at all.
    An urge to stick his face in the dish to suck the perfectly grilled fish up screamed at him. He fisted the knife and fork then attempted to slice off a bite to eat, but his fingers tangled trying to hold the cutlery. Eating had never seemed like a hard task before. Pull yourself together, Finn . He dug a knife into the flaky flesh, sawed the fish in half, then flipped the piece into his mouth. Expecting the morsel to slide down his throat, he opened wide to accept the tasty treat. The slippery bugger jammed in tight. Gasping for air, slamming his hands on the table, he tried to swallow the darn thing.
    “Want some help?” She scooped up a spoonful of broth and took a sip, unusually calm considering he might be choking to death. Nice . “Maybe if you tried cutting your food in smaller bites?”
    He reached into his throat and dug the food out. “Guess it was too big for me.” He chuckled. “Made me gag.”
    “Bit of payback for women all over the world.”
    “Pardon? Oh! Ha, ha.”
    She curved her rose-colored lips into a grin. “So, Finn, do you really like seafood?”
    He hadn’t even considered such a question. Instinct had taken over, edged him to stuff his face with as many of the slippery buggers as he could. But did he actually like it? He used to, but after four years of eating nothing else….
    “No. Not really.”
    “Would you like tae share my broth?” She dragged her chair next to him and slid the bowl between them. “The veggies and meat have already been diced into small pieces, see, so I’m sure you won’t have any problems fitting them in your mouth.”

 
     
     

Chapter Six
     
     
    They strolled for half an hour along the promenade, her arm linked with his. She listened, amused as he shared stories from his childhood. With each shop they passed, his face emanated excitement and his grin grew wider.
    He stopped in front of the red and white façade of the Isle Rock and Sweets store, then dragged her past the window display of sherbet straws and gobstobbers. While she caught her breath, he bought a quarter of rhubarb and custard boiled sweets.
    “I enjoyed them every Saturday morning,” he