The Perfect Blend (4 page)

“Smartass.”

Matt waited until Mary showed up before taking his lunch break. Normally, he packed a cold lunch and ate it in the back room, but today he had a taste for something hot. And since he owed a certain gorgeous brunette a huge apology, he might as well start by buying her lunch. In fact—he glanced at his cell phone—she should be closing up shop right about now. He stuffed his hands in his pockets, blew out a here-goes-nothing breath, and made his way across the street.

He arrived just as Carrie was locking up. “Hey, partner, care to join me for lunch? My treat.” She looked as beautiful 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.”

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.

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. “To be honest, I’ve wanted to expand the menu for some time. But without money to hire a couple of full-time employees, not to mention all the food and supplies I’d need, I knew it was just a pipedream.” She lowered her gaze. “As you well know, I’ve barely been able to keep the doors open.”

He reached across the table and grasped her hand. “You’ll never have to worry about that again, I promise you. I plan to make sure
Coffee To Chai For
becomes a thriving success. And without you having to work your fingers to the bone seven days a week.”

Her expression grew defensive. “I don’t mind hard work. It builds character.”

“Sweetheart, you have more character than anyone I know,” he teased, wondering if it’d been her parents who’d drummed that into her head. “Come on, admit it. Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to sleep in once in awhile? To not have to worry about who’s going to make the coffee or do the baking?”

She gave a reluctant nod. “I’d be lying if I said no. But let’s face it, that day is still a long way off.”

“Turn up the volume!” someone shouted before Matt could respond. His gaze was drawn to the TV mounted above the bar. Looked like some sort of news conference was about to start. He was momentarily distracted when Carrie slipped her hand from his.

“As reported this morning, Jacob Spalding Sr., CEO of Spalding Industries, the largest family-owned business in the United States, was admitted into Cedars-Sinai Hospital late Sunday evening with severe chest pains. His family released this short statement today: ‘Mr. Spalding is getting the best care possible and is expected to make a full recovery.’

“The Spalding family made headlines early last fall when son and future CEO, Jacob Spalding Jr., who hasn’t been seen publicly in over six months, was arrested in connection with the murder of actress Amanda Ames. He was cleared of all charges after a DNA test proved him innocent. In local news...”

Matt continued to stare at the TV even though he didn’t hear another word the anchorman said. Shock warred with concern for his father—concern won. He pulled his cell phone from his shirt pocket and pushed his chair back. “I just remembered something I need to tell Mary. I’ll be right back.”

Chapter Four

Carrie watched Matt leave with mixed feelings. Maybe taking him on as her partner wasn’t as smart a move as she’d thought. When the man wasn’t insulting her friends and acting the fool, he was running outside to make secretive calls. Really, what top-secret library news couldn’t be talked about in front of her? Nino’s didn’t have a “no cell phone” policy.

Another problem was her growing attraction to him. Matt Jacobs was the first man to make her feel anything since the day she’d kicked her ex out of the house. Not that she’d intended to live celibate forever. It’s just sex without love wasn’t a choice she’d have made—until now. Damn his sexy hide, Matt had her thinking all sorts of naughty thoughts, which only fueled her annoyance.

The restaurant door opened, and Matt walked back in. He returned to the table and greeted her with a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. Matt Jacobs, man of mystery. Oh, well, everyone had a few secrets, right? And really, unless whatever he was hiding interfered with her business, his personal life was certainly none of hers.

She’d just had to remind herself of that daily.

“Sorry about that. Mary’s doing inventory tonight, and I forgot to tell her where I’d left off.”

He was lying through his teeth, no doubt about it. Carrie forced a smile. “No problem. And you’re just in time, here comes the food.”

They ate in silence until the waiter arrived with dessert—Nino’s famous chocolate chip cannolis. Unbidden, a mental image of all the gorgeous skinny women in her life popped into her mind, and her confidence plummeted. She pushed the dessert plate away.

“Please tell me you didn’t forget to save room for a cannoli.”

“No. I’m just full. Would you like mine?”

He held up a hand as if warding off evil. “Sorry, one’s my limit. I have to watch this girlish figure.” He grinned, and although Carrie knew he was teasing, and knew he couldn’t possibly know how insecure she was about her weight, she grabbed her purse and rose to her feet.

Matt tossed his napkin down and also stood. A frown marred his handsome face. “Did I say something wrong? Because if I did, I’m sorry. Seems that’s all do when I’m around you, put my foot in my mouth and apologize.”

“No, I just…I need to get home. Thanks for the late lunch. So, will I be seeing you again tomorrow morning?” It killed her to admit it, even in the privacy of her own mind, but she certainly hoped so.

Carrie stared at him, not sure what to say. He was her partner. He’d need a key eventually. She just wasn’t quite ready to let go of the last thing that made
Coffee To Chai For
hers and hers alone. “I...yeah, sure. Just remind me later.”

* * *

By Friday afternoon, Carrie realized she was dangerously close to falling in love with Matt Jacobs. The admission came not so much as a shock as an epiphany. He was funny, smart, charming, wickedly handsome, and sexy as hell. Carrie wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anyone or anything in her life. He had her so twisted in knots, she hadn’t gotten a good night’s sleep since the day they’d signed the papers.

He showed up every morning to help her open, learning in record time how to run the machines, bake the breads, pastries and cookies she’d become famous for. He’d managed to fix the air-conditioner, so that was one less thing they’d need to invest in. At least until next summer. He’d gotten an affordable bid on the construction for the dining area to accommodate the extra tables and booths they’d need for the new lunch/dinner menu in the works, and also on adding a drive-thru window, though Carrie wasn’t completely sold on the latter idea. Something they’d have to hold off on until she felt more comfortable with the thought of so many changes. Especially since her business, in just these few days, had started to thrive.

Okay, so many of her newest customers were adoring females. But since Matt seemed to only have eyes for her, even her insecurities had abated. He’d yet to try and kiss her, but Carrie figured he was just waiting for her cue.

Tonight she planned to give it to him. Yeah, she was a long way off from trusting her heart to another man. Love and trust didn’t necessarily go hand in hand; she’d learned that the hard way. Didn’t mean she couldn’t see where things led with Matt.

She’d just hung the Now Hiring sign in the shop’s front window when the screech of tires caught her attention. She looked up just in time to see an expensive-looking red sports car fishtail down Salvation Avenue and squeal to a stop in front of the Laundromat next door. Immediately, she saw the reason the car had spun out of control. Standing on the other side of the street was Drew Porter, owner of D.P. Tire & Auto, holding the collar of his humongous Great Dane, Bo, wrestling to keep him in check.

Since the shop was empty at the moment, Carrie grabbed her cell phone and raced outside to make sure the driver was all right. The car door swung open just as Carrie reached it, and out came one high-heeled black pump, followed by another. Carrie rolled her eyes as an incredibly beautiful supermodel type stepped out of the car and glanced around, her perfectly manicured hands on her hips. She had long, platinum blond hair, big brown eyes, and a pair of sunglasses propped stylishly on her head. Her skintight little black dress ended just above her knees. Surprisingly, she didn’t have on a single accessory, but then, she didn’t need any.

The woman’s eyes narrowed when she spotted Drew and Bo on the other side of the street. She started toward them, and Bo bounced excitedly on his hindquarters, tongue lolling, tail thumping the grass.

Carrie couldn’t hold back a smile when she recognized the resigned look on Drew’s face.

“Are you crazy letting that beast roam free? Doesn’t Mayberry here have a leash law?”

A wolfish grin transformed Drew’s face as he eyed the woman from head to toe. Typical, Carrie thought, resisting the urge to throw a rock across the street and knock some sense into him. “Look, I’m sorry. Bo doesn’t usually take off like that. Must’ve seen a cat or something. If you have any damages just drive down the road to D.P. Tire & Auto and I’ll take care of ’em.”

Carrie glanced up when she heard Matt’s voice. She watched with growing dismay as he strode across the street, not toward her, but straight for the blonde.

“Matt!” the woman cried as she spun around and ran up to meet him—no easy feat in those heels. She launched herself into Matt’s arms, and the louse caught her in a crushing embrace.