The Perfect Blend Read Online Free PDF Page A

as ever with the sun reflecting off the auburn highlights in her hair and those huge enigmatic blue eyes gazing up at him with uncertainty.
    She let out an exaggerated breath. He was no doubt the last person with whom she cared to share a meal, and with good reason. He’d really made an ass of himself earlier.
    “Come on, the least you can do is give me a chance to apologize for acting like a five-year-old this morning. We can just talk business...or not at all, if you prefer. Your choice.”
    “Fine. I’m not in the mood to cook anyway. Where are you taking me?”
    “Nino’s. I’ve had a taste for one of their Italian beef sandwiches all day. Sound good?”
    “Sounds great. Their antipasto salad is my favorite.
    “Hop in, I’ll drive.”
    The atmosphere inside Nino’s put Matt right at ease, with its checkered tablecloths and old-world ambiance. Reminded him of his favorite Italian restaurant in New York City’s West Village. And much to his delight, the food was even better.
    One of Nino’s sons showed them to a booth in the corner. “How’re you two doin’ today? Either of you need a menu?”
    “Thanks, but I think we both know what we want.” Matt gestured for Carrie to order first.
    “I’ll have a side antipasto salad, a cup of minestrone, and an iced tea, please.”
    When he finished writing, Matt said, “I’ll have an Italian beef sandwich, dipped, with sweet peppers, and a side of fried zucchini with extra ranch dressing. Oh, and a large Pepsi.”
    The kid nodded. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.”
    “So,” Matt said, drawing her attention back to him. “I turned in my resignation at the library today. Two more weeks and I’m all yours.”
    “I can hardly contain my excitement.”
    Matt grinned. “You’re hell on a man’s ego, you know that?”
    “In case you haven’t noticed, you and I get along about as well as Wile E. Coyote and the Roadrunner.” She glanced away and tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. “Besides, with every woman in town between the ages of sixteen and sixty panting after you, I’m sure your ego will survive my indifference.”
    Hmm, did he sense a little jealousy there, or was it simply wishful thinking on his part? “You looked anything but indifferent yesterday when you thought I was going to kiss you.”
    “Do me a favor and get over yourself before we start to work together full-time. Coffee To Chai For is too small to fit you, me, and your inflated head.”
    He chuckled. “Good one. And you’re right. With your bad attitude taking up most of the back room, we’re pretty cramped for space.”
    Carrie rolled her eyes and shook her head, but she couldn’t quite hide the smile tugging at her lips. She plucked a bunch of sugar packets out of the tray a second before their drinks were set on the table. Matt watched with interest as she stirred the sugar into her iced tea, then gave the lemon wedge a squeeze before dropping it back in her glass. She licked the tart juice from her fingers, one after the other, almost as if in slow motion. He swallowed a groan, thankful to be seated. She cast him a quick glance, one finger still in her mouth, which was so damn sexy it had to have been perfected in the mirror.
    He cleared his throat. “Maybe we could talk about some of my ideas, if you don’t mind.”
    Her expression became guarded again, and Matt could’ve kicked himself. But there was no help for it. If this partnership was going to work, then little Miss Stubborn was going to have to give a little. Or a lot.
    “Fine, talk.”
    “I think the two most important things we’ll need to focus on are extending the hours and adding a lunch-slash-dinner menu. Since this town already has a fantastic diner and the best Italian food in the state, I think a more health-conscious menu would be a hit. Wraps and sandwiches, soups and salads. Juice blends, fruit smoothies, maybe a selection of bottled waters.”
    Carrie took a thoughtful sip of her tea.