The Perfect Ingredient (Dare Valley) by Ava Miles Read Free Book Online

without barely a word, dammit.”
    “That’s two hundred dollars,” she said.
    He withdrew his wallet and took out two crisp bills. “I fucking know that.” And tugged out another hundred.
    “Shady Lady,” she scoffed, pulling on the hem of her scoop-neck cashmere red sweater, only bringing attention to her perfect breasts, leaving him breathless with wanting.
    “That was rude. It’s a dig at my past as Vixen.”
    Was it? “Look, I wasn’t trying to insult you. I’ll make you another goddamn drink. What do you want?” He withdrew another Benjamin Franklin. At this rate, he might as well upend his wallet. His cursing was on the rise, like the stock market on a break-out day.
    “I’ll have a white wine,” she said, softer now. “Thank you.”
    Great, now she says thank you. He stalked off to the wine cellar and pulled out one of her favorite wines, the one he’d introduced her to at The Peacock. Domaine de la Romanée-Conti from Burgundy, made from the most excellent Chardonnay grapes in the world, in his opinion.
    They’d all taken their seats when he returned with the bottle. He’d dismissed his sommelier, saying he’d serve them. This was Rhett, after all, and when he’d heard Elizabeth was coming too, he’d been…heck, elated. Like some stupid schoolboy. And that made him resentful. Why should he be so happy to see her after everything?
    “Terrance!” Elizabeth gasped when she caught sight of the bottle. “Please don’t open that.”
    “It’s my restaurant. Don’t tell me what to do.” Even though he wanted to rip the cork out with his teeth, he made himself go slowly. If he broke the cork, being angry at her…
    “I’ll have a glass of that too,” Natalie said with an almost diplomatic tone, as though she was afraid to get into the cross-fire between the West and East over something as ludicrous as wine.
    “Not me,” Rhett said. “Bourbon. If it won’t ruin my palate.”
    “Like you give a rat’s ass about your palate, Rhett,” Terrance said, pouring the ladies an ounce.
    Elizabeth didn’t pick up her glass. “This is…one of my favorites.”
    And the way she said it made him clutch the bottle. How many nights had he sipped this same wine off her belly as she moaned and laughed, those blue eyes shining with happiness?
    The wine had been a mistake.
    He’d meant it as a peace offering. Okay, that was a lie. He’d wanted her to remember too, to feel some of what he’d been feeling since they’d talked like old times over dessert in her kitchen.
    “This is incredible,” Natalie declared, setting her glass down for a full pour.
    Smiling at her, Terrance topped off her glass. Natalie was handling their volatility like a pro, and under other circumstances, he would have made a move on her. Easy on the eyes, with thick, curly brown hair hanging past her shoulder blades and curves in all the right places, she unfortunately did nothing for him. Unlike the Shady Lady glaring at him as he topped off her wine next.
    When he poured Rhett a glass of Pappy Van Winkle, his friend laughed as he threw back the first shot. “Damn, if I don’t love the name of this bourbon. Makes me feel all warm inside.”
    “And unlike most kitschy-named liquor, this one actually delivers in flavor,” Terrance said and splashed more bourbon in Rhett’s glass before pouring one for himself. He hadn’t planned on drinking, but the way things were going with Elizabeth, he was going to need one.
    “Glad you’re joining me, T,” Rhett said.
    “I’ll bring out the first course,” he told them. Maybe if he gave Vix— Elizabeth— some time to cool off, they could resume the pleasantries.
    Right now small talk was out of the question.
    “May I help?” Natalie asked, sliding out of her chair. “I’m a professional caterer in Denver, and I adore food. It would be an honor to watch you in the back of the house.”
    Elizabeth’s mouth twisted. Was she actually jealous? Well, that cut through his ire