Pitch Perfect by LUANN MCLANE Read Free Book Online Page A

experienced having to stand on her feet all day long. She noticed a gorgeous bracelet that Bella was wearing and pointed to it. “Oh, your bracelet is stunning.”
    “Thank you.” Bella smiled and raised her wrist for further inspection. “My mother designs jewelry and she made this one. Some of her pieces are over in the gift shop, and I think there is one similar to this one if you’re interested. She’s opening a shop down on the riverfront called Designs by Diamante.”
    “Well, she certainly is talented,” Mia commented.
    “Yes, she is, and I’m thrilled that she’s finally going to be able to pursue her dream.” Bella turned the bracelet on her wrist to give Mia a better look.
    “It’s gorgeous. Good for her.” Mia thought that it must be uplifting to have a dream . . . a goal. She hadn’t given goals or dreams much thought until now, and it made her feel a little empty. Mia leaned closer and admired the detail and the soft pastel colors. “Is she hiring?” Mia asked in a hopeful tone. If there was one thing Mia knew, it was fashion, and she loved unique jewelry.
    “Not for a few weeks.” Bella gave her a questioning look. “I thought you were just passing through town.”
    Mia pursed her lips. “My car died and I’m a little . . . strapped for cash at the moment.” She held up the paper. “I’m going to have to find a job while Fred repairs it.”
    “We’re hiring here at Wine and Diner for the summer rush,” Bella offered.
    “Really?” Mia felt hope blossom in her chest. Finding a job wasn’t going to be so difficult after all.
    “Do you have any experience in the restaurant industry?”
    “In what capacity?” Mia asked slowly, since the answer was a big fat no. Her father had taught her respond to a question with another question if you didn’t know the answer or wanted to skip past it. You could always learn more that way.
    “Lots of positions are open.” Bella straightened the stack of menus and then walked around to join Mia. “I’ll grab that cup of coffee and introduce you to one of the owners. I think Jessica is taking a break with baby Ben, but Myra is around here somewhere.”
    “Thanks so much,” Mia said and followed Bella over to a vacant stool. But even though the restaurant was nearly empty, she could hear the kitchen staff buzzing with activity and she imagined that dinner was going to be just as crowded as lunch.
    “Regular or decaf?” Bella asked as she put a thick white mug on the counter.
    “Regular, please.” Mia inhaled the rich aroma while Bella poured the steaming brew into the sturdy mug. “I love the smell of coffee.”
    “Me too, and the stronger the better.” She put a small saucer heaped with creamers in front of Mia and smiled. “I’ll go and round up Myra.”
    “Thank you.” Mia hoped the little incident that she had caused earlier wouldn’t be held against her. After adding two tubs of cream, she took a bracing sip of the strong coffee. She cradled the warm mug in her hands and swiveled around on the stool while taking a look around. The restaurant retained the charm of an old-school diner, but she knew that the updated menu had an impressive wine list. To the left of the gift shop were French doors that led to what appeared to be a lounge and some rather upscale seating. Mia looked out the side windows and noticed an expansive outdoor patio and lovely gazebo that would make for comfortable dining alfresco or hosting parties or even weddings. She nodded with appreciation. This was a far cry from a greasy spoon. Someone certainly knew what they were doing.
    “Well, hello there, sugar.”
    Mia swiveled around at the sound of the somewhat amused tone laced in the female southern drawl. “Hi,” Mia said and felt a little heat creep into her cheeks.
    “Come back to cause more havoc?” Myra asked with a good-natured grin.
    “Actually, she’s asked about a job,” Bella said as she poured herself a mug of coffee and then loaded