Page 93 of Red Hot Roaster

Me

Sorry I couldn’t text earlier. Minor prob with roaster, had to find part, catch up on roasts. Hope your day was better than mine. Good night, Rose. Talk tomorrow. Sleep tight.

Rose

That dog won’t hunt. I know a way to make your day better. Pick up, Rafe.

Eight seconds later…

“Rose? Is everything okay?”

“Yes, unless you know someone else who’s wearing only stilettos. And yes, everything’s okay, or will be when you push Princess off the bed.”

“What the fuck?”

“I already kicked Pi out—he’s grumbling in the corner. Keep up, sweetheart.”

“Babe, what the hell?”

“Time’s a-wastin’—and I turn into a truffle at midnight. Oh, wait. You’re one hour ahead. Guess we just have fifteen minutes. Or wecouldgo by Pacific Standard Time.”

“Grrr…”

“I’ll take that as ayes. What areyouwearing in bed tonight?”

Chapter 46

Rose

Iwas grinning, probably with squinty-crazy-eyes, at the roll-up sandwiches I’d prepped for Katt and Liliana. Because all was good—better than good—I added a scoop of our house-made pasta salad and popped a bonus truffle on each plate.

I’d just gotten off the phone with Lauren. This morning, she’d met with Tony at his deli-grocery in the North Beach neighborhood of San Francisco. He’d given her some letters, pictures and other family mementos to bring to me when she and Finn drove up here tomorrow.

“Such a sweet and generous man!” my bestie had raved. “They had some Italian pastries waiting for me and made me a macchiato the minute I walked in the door.”

She let out a long sigh. “I got to meet Angelina and her two brothers too. That Nico is a scamp for sure. And all the guys look like your Rafe.”

Not mine—not yet,I’d reminded her.

She’d described what Tony had given her. The best part? Apparently, they’deachwritten a letter and tucked them all in a big envelope for me to send (they’d saidgive,Rose) to Rafe.

I grabbed the two plates and walked over to the table by the front window. It was a little crowded, what with their mochas, Katt’s tablet, Liliana’s notepad and pen—real paper, real writing instrument—and three or four cat ornaments from the walls. But we made it work.

“How’s the planning coming along?” I asked. Ana was getting her long-wished-for kitten as a surprise for Christmas. Experienced cat staff Katt was giving Liliana pointers on the Humane Society’s adoption process and the welcome-to-your-new-home essentials.

“Sit, sit for a moment,” Liliana urged.

I dropped down to the extra chair, and she pushed out, “I never realized how much one tiny kitty needed. Perrito’s huge, and I don’t remember him requiring this much.”

Katt and I glanced at each other and looked away, hiding our smiles. The real question was how their talkative, playful husky was going to take to the miniature new member of their family.

Katt turned back to me and narrowed her eyes. “You look…happy. Kinda bright and sparkly and, yes, happy.”

Of course, being a photographer and an artist, she’d see how my face reflected my mood.

“Is that a question or a statement?” I stalled.

“Ha! Definitely a statement. Spill the tea!” Both Katt and Liliana focused their laser-like stares in my direction.

---