Charmingly Yours (A Morning Glory #1) by Liz Talley Read Free Book Online

the youngest of patrons. Both of Sal’s sisters knew to be quick in setting down Mr. Weingarten’s plate and to give wide berth around his wandering hands.
    Rosemary gave Mr. Weingarten a sugarcoated smile. “Well, look at you, Mr. Eli, being so sweet and protective of me.”
    “Actually Rosemary and I are old friends,” Sal said.
    “Yes. Very old friends,” she said, patting the older gentleman on the arm. “Mr. Eli was so sweet to invite me to join him for dinner, but he was already finished. And everyone says New Yorkers aren’t friendly.”
    “He’s friendly, all right,” Sal said, trying to maintain a straight face.
    “If you’re sure you’re okay, my dear,” the older man said, his beady black eyes fastened on Rosemary, his gnarled hand lifting her hand and cradling it. “A girl such as you can’t be too careful. I wouldn’t trust Sal with my cousin Ethel, and she’s a vegetable in the nursing home.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry about your cousin, but I can handle Sal.”
    “ Guten abend , beautiful.” He lifted her hand to his lips, lingering a second too long before moving at a turtle’s pace toward the door.
    Rosemary looked at her hand and then sheepishly wiped it on her napkin.
    “Oh, you can handle me, huh?” Sal teased.
    Rosemary arched her brows comically. “Well, I couldn’t have the old guy trying to defend my honor.” She rose and dropped her napkin beside her plate.
    “Where you going?”
    “Someone needs to help that sweet old gentleman to his cab,” she said, her gaze following old man Weingarten’s progress. He’d not even made it halfway to the door.
    “I don’t think you want to do that,” he said.
    “Where I live we see our elderly out the door and make sure they get home safely.” She didn’t exactly frown when she imparted that tidbit of information, but she looked a bit self-righteous. Like only southerners had manners.
    “Suit yourself,” he said.
    “I always do,” she said with a quasi-smile that made him think perhaps she rarely suited herself. A woman who would leave bad wine, delicious food, and a man who had all his shiny teeth to escort an old rascal who probably hadn’t seen his real pearly whites in over three decades to his cab probably rarely thought only of herself.
    So she definitely wasn’t like Hillary.
    He watched Rosemary hurry to catch up with Mr. Weingarten before rising. The poor woman didn’t know what she’d gotten herself into. Eli had once cornered Brittany and copped a feel before Big Donnie had come out and threatened to toss him out the door. Eli hadn’t accosted anyone since, but the gleam in his dark eyes at the attention paid to him by southern belle served as a harbinger.
    Sal watched Rosemary take Mr. Weingarten’s arm as he crossed the threshold. The old devil pretended to stumble and wrapped a steadying arm about Rosemary’s trim waist.
    “Are you okay?” she asked.
    “Jeez,” Sal muttered under his breath, shooting a grin at Kyle, who stood with Rosemary’s meatballs and Italian gravy.
    Kyle shook his head. “Want me to save her from the octopus?”
    “I got it,” Sal said, following them out, grinning when he saw Mr. Weingarten’s hand slide south toward a very appetizing derriere.
    Rosemary quickly reached around and tugged his hand up. “Here we go.”
    “You’re such a nice girl,” Mr. Weingarten said, sliding his hand back down and giving her a pat on her backside.
    Rosemary spun and caught the older man’s hand. “Thank you, sir. I’m sure my father would appreciate your kind words on my upbringing.”
    Nicely played. Not only had she prevented old Weingarten from copping a cheap feel, but she’d brought her father into the equation. Mr. Weingarten looked frustrated if not slightly guilty as he stared at the cab.
    “You have a good evening, Mr. Eli. I have those meatballs waiting,” she said, opening the door for the older man, careful to sidestep another roving hand.
    Nothing for