Breaking Even by Lily Bishop Read Free Book Online Page B

the subject.
    “I’m meeting with a couple to discuss some
special catering requests for their wedding. Chef doesn’t want to make their
changes.”
    “Poor Chef Etienne. Let me guess. They
want something American.”
    Ric laughed. “Yes, they asked him to make
chicken tenders and macaroni and cheese for a kid’s entree.”
    “Oh, no! Bless his heart. No one ever
listens to him.”
    After a brief pause, Ric continued. “My
meeting is about to start. I’d better go. Stay safe.”
    Right after she ended the call, Ben’s
number flashed across her screen. She clicked the button to answer. “Hey.”
    “What are you doing?” Ben asked, his voice
sharp.
    “I’m driving. What are you doing?” She
didn’t even bother to hide her irritation.
    “You’ve dropped back so far I can't even
see you. I didn’t know what was going on. I thought maybe your car had thrown a
gasket.”
    “No, I’m fine. I was talking on the phone.
You don’t have to worry you lost me. We’ll be on this stretch of interstate for
hours.”
    “Who were you talking to?” he asked,
suspicion in his voice.
    He was sounding way too clingy, especially
considering he had an “arrangement” with Brittany. “A friend. Don’t worry about
it. I will catch up.”
    “All right. The point of the caravan is to
stay together, remember?”
    “Got it.” She ended the call and turned up
the radio. Ric and Ben had both managed to irritate her. Ben was way over the
line, and Ric was on the edge, even if the two of them were practically dating.
    Nothing else happened on their long drive,
despite Ric’s warnings. She and Ben rented separate hotel rooms and walked to
dinner. Lindsey was back in her room by the time the sun set.
    She had learned her lesson after sharing a
suite with Vaughn Bruce in Calliope. She was better off with her own private
space. She had propped up all the pillows on the bed and turned on the television
when Ric’s number popped up on her phone.
    “I'm just checking that you’ve stopped for
the evening.” His voice sounded like brushed velvet.
    “We did. We’re in Jacksonville.”
    “Separate rooms, I hope,” he said dryly.
    “Yes, separate hotel rooms. Get a grip,”
she said, irritated. “Ben and I went to dinner, came back, and parted company.
I won’t see him again until in the morning. Promise.”
    “If you say so.”
    “Either trust me or don’t.” Lindsey wasn’t
used to navigating the waters with a jealous boyfriend, if that’s what he was.
She hadn’t dated much, but in her limited experience, the guys hadn’t cared
what she did. He paused as if he were trying to determine if he should change
the subject or continue down that path.
    “So, what are you doing now?” he asked. Lindsey
felt relieved that he had decided to cut his losses on that one.
    “Watching a movie. Once it finishes, I’m
going to bed.”
    “Alone,” he reminded her with a gravelly
voice.
    She laughed. “Good Lord. Yes, alone. What
are you up to this weekend? I’m sure I’ve kept you from your regular duties all
week.”
    “True, but I don’t have any regrets. I
don’t have much here. A few weddings. My cousin may come to the island to
discuss a business venture, but I’m still undecided. He wants me to go to Las
Vegas with him Labor Day weekend. Why don’t you come with me?”
    “Oh, I would love that, but I think we
have classes on Labor Day. As much as I like to play blackjack, I’ve still
never been to Vegas. Maybe I can go with you next time. For me, this weekend
will be crazy. I’ve got to buy furniture and start unpacking. I don’t want to
start out the year with everything in boxes. I looked at the schedule, and we
have fall break in mid-October this year.”
    “I hope I’ll see you before then,” he
said. His smile came through the phone.
    “We can make better plans once I know my
teaching schedule."
    “Call me tomorrow and tell me about your
new house. I’ll worry until I hear from you.”
    “I will, I