Page 58 of Too Hot

“How about a late lunch/early dinner? Then we can go to my place, relax, and change before we go to the club.”

“Works for me.”

“Where to?” He glanced over at her as he drove.

“I’d say Sweet & Savory, but Lara closes at three.”

“She does, but she’s catering the club tonight. Let me call and see if she’ll let us stop by.” Rafe stopped on the side of the road and pulled out his cell.

“Don’t you have Bluetooth?”

“I do, but I prefer not to use it while driving unless it’s an emergency.”

Brianna nodded. “I don’t want to put her out. Everyone needs time off.” She didn’t like the idea of putting Lara on the spot.

“We won’t.” He dialed her number. “Hey, Lara, Rafe. I know you’re closed, but is there anyway Brianna and I can stop buy and grab some food?” The was a pause. “Great, thank you.” Rafe hung up and looked at Brianna. “She’s there along with Sierra, Crystal, and Regina and told us to come on down.”

Within ten minutes, Rafe was pulling into the parking lot. Brianna reached to open the door when Rafe made a tsking sound. She pulled her hand back. Rafe stepped out of the SUV, jogged around and opened her door.

Brianna was still trying to get used to how Rafe always wanted to help her in and out of his vehicle. She turned toward the front door when Rafe stopped her. “Lara said to knock on the back door.”

Brianna nodded. Rafe knocked, and a smiling Regina opened the door. “Hey, you two, come on in.”

They made their way into Sweet & Savory, and Brianna almost burst out laughing. Sierra and Crystal were at the counters as if helping, but instead, their hands were in the air, and Lara was standing there, hands on hips with a frown. Regina stood behind Lara with a big grin on her face.

“Hey, Rafe, Brianna,” Sierra said when she saw them.

Lara turned.

“You didn’t need to stay open for us,” Brianna said.

“It’s fine.” Lara waved her hand. “I’m just getting things ready for tonight, so I’m here anyway. Now, if I could just get these two to stop trying to help me.” She glared at Sierra and Crystal.

“Sorry.” They both backed away.

“You can get the stuff out of freezer. You’ll see the boxes labeled for the club,” Lara ordered.

Crystal and Regina scrambled off. Sierra grinned. “I’ll take care of the paper products.” She went into the other room.

“Now, what can I get for you two? And do you want it to go or eat here?” Lara asked.

“If it’s not too much of an imposition, can we eat here? Brianna and I are going to chat about tonight over lunch, and it would be nice to do it without having to watch every word,” Rafe said.

“No problem. Go grab a table wherever you want, but first, tell me what you want to eat.”

“I want to keep it simple, what do you have that’s easy?” Brianna said.

“The easiest right now would be the beef, bean, chicken wraps or bagel dogs.”

“I’ll take two bagel dogs,” Brianna told her.

“Two chicken wraps for me,” Rafe commented.

“You got it. Drinks?”

“Water, please,” Brianna said.

“Same.”

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