Perfectly Shattered by Emily Jane Trent Read Free Book Online Page B

but the restaurant was casual, without the usual white linen. It was noisy and brimming with diners.
    Cami unfolded her napkin. “You’ve been here before?”
    “Just once. I thought you’d like it because it’s French.”
    “That’s considerate. You mean because of my name.”
    “That and the fact that you do catering. I figured you’d be into gourmet food.”
    “More than you think.”
    The server appeared and took their drink orders: water with lemon for Cami and the same for Bradan. He left a basket with a sliced baguette on their table and headed for the kitchen.
    “No whiskey?”
    “Not tonight. I’m having dinner with a friend.”
    Cami raised a brow.
    “I don’t have to drink.”
    She smiled. “You don’t?”
    “No, I don’t.” Bradan smiled. “So, you like food, huh?”
    The waters arrived and Cami took a sip. “I cook a lot. I guess you could say I’m a foodie.”
    “Interesting. What do you cook?”
    “Oh, all kinds of things. French sometimes, also American, Italian. A bit of everything.” He seemed interested, so she added, “Maybe I can make something for you…sometime.”
    Bradan smiled. “Deal.” Then he frowned at the menu. “What do you suggest? Too much of this is in French.”
    “Lots of good choices. Let’s see…” Cami could feel his eyes on her as she studied the menu. “It’s kind of a waste to start with salad when there are so many choices. Confit de canard caught my eye. That’s crispy duck, and in a place like this it’s likely to be good.”
    “I’ve never had duck.”
    “It’s excellent if done right.”
    The waiter arrived and they ordered the onion soup to start, with the duck for a main course.
    Cami smoothed her napkin and reached for a slice of the cheese that was served with the bread. “I think you’ll like it.”
    “So, what brought you to Seattle?”
    “Like I said, I’m a foodie. And what better place than here?”
    Bradan leaned back with one leg sticking out from under the table. “What makes you say that?”
    “The regional cuisine made from local produce, all the fresh seafood, and there are lots of small restaurants. I like that it’s not all huge brands, but more personal with so much diversity. And great wines.”
    Since he seemed curious, Cami went on. “There are so many influences, from Asia, Latin America, France, Italy, and more. That’s what attracts me. I can learn so much. There are so many talented chefs, which is why I signed up for that food tour.”
    He shifted in his seat. “The tour…sorry about that.”
    “It’s forgotten.” Cami slathered some butter on her baguette. “Are you still with the woman of the day?” As soon as she said it, inside she cringed. It was snippy, and she hadn’t intended to show inner feelings.
    “And who is that?”
    Cami made a funny face. “Forgotten again?”
    “Oh, Tanya.” He leaned up on the table. “I think she’s mad at me.”
    “I probably shouldn’t ask.”
    “Probably not.”
    They were silent for a couple of minutes, munching on bread and sipping water.
    Breaking the ice, Bradan said, “Water with lemon, I’ll have to remember that. Potent stuff.”
    Laughing, Cami swatted his forearm. “What a tease. So, how did you end up here? Are you from Seattle?”
    “From Boston. I went to a community college here. Got my two-year degree early, earned extra credits over the summer.”
    “What field?”
    “Computers, mostly web programming.”
    “So you work for that company, the one that had that party?”
    Bradan’s eyes gleamed. “The glazed scallops party? Yep, I work for Cube X.”
    “Can’t you forget about me dumping food on you? I thought we were even.”
    “We are.”
    “Did your parents pay for college? I only took one year. Ran out of money.” Cami bit into the crusty bread.
    Bradan shook his head. “I worked my way through. My brother, Sean, is in social media, has some contacts. He connected me up with Mitchell Kinlan, my boss. I got hired part