Page 17 of Always Be My Baby

Oh my god.“I don’t know. He’s never—”

“He doesn’t hold you down?”

“Well, yeah. Holds my wrists or whatever, but—”

“But this way his hands are free for other activities.”

“Like prepping me so we don’t battle over butt play?” I asked sarcastically.

“Exactly.” She tweaked my cheek.

What had I gotten myself into?

Girard

Iwhipped my head up when I heard the front door of the restaurant open. Lee and Lena walked in. It made me happy to see Lee spending more time with Lena. She’d spent far too much time alone before we’d gotten together, spouting some nonsense about not wanting touse upher friendships.

Her cheeks glowed a bright red and she kept her eyes downcast. Only once she looked up and caught my gaze, the expression that shifted over her face couldn’t be taken as anything other than embarrassment.

What the hell was that about?

Lee had been fine before she left the house this morning. Kissed me goodbye and everything. Then she tried to speed-walk past me, which, no way. I snagged her coat and spun her into my arms. “Hey, gorgeous.”

She still wouldn’t look me in the eyes but managed to whisper, “Hey.”

“You have a good time shopping?” I asked.

Instead of answering, she squeaked.

“Okay…” I chuckled. “But don’t think you’re getting away without kissing me.” Then without giving her the chance to wig out, because she appeared to be wigging about something, I brushed my lips against hers and waited. It took less than a second for that brush to turn into a full-on press initiated by Lee. The sound she made this time made me wish the parking lot was still flooded.

When she pulled away, she placed the tips of her fingers to my jaw and rested her forehead against my cheek. Then she sighed. “I love you; you know.”

Never got old.

“I love you, too, sweetheart.”

“Lee,” Polk called over to her. “Sorry to interrupt, but the gentleman from Diagnostic Technologies is here to check out the party room to make sure it’ll accommodate all their employees.”

“I thought we already took care of that,” she said to me.

I shrugged.

“Sorry,” she said then and she really meant it.

“It’s okay. Go be the boss lady now. More smooches later.”

She rolled her eyes, not in a ‘you’re ridiculous’ way, but more exasperated. “Do you know how sexy I find it when my big, strong, cocky chef uses words likesmooches? Quit turning me on while I’m at work.”

I pecked the tip of her nose and shoved her to get moving, chuckling as I watched her slip into GM mode. I needed to get back to the kitchen, but I couldn’t resist watching her walk away, wanting one more glance as she approached him. The guy was tallish, full head of hair. Pretty good shape. Judging by the way Lena dressed for work today, if I had to guess, he wasn’t here for Lee. She held her hand out for him to shake. “I’m Marilee Bell, owner and general manager of The Bell Jar. I’d be happy to show you the room.”

As he shook her hand, he eyed Lee then looked around the room. “I, uh, spoke with a Lena Hartman yesterday.”

“Yes, she’ll be along.” Lee sliced her eyes to Lena, who was standing closer to me and smiled. “For now, follow me.”

Before Lena went to join them, I caught her attention. “What was with Lee when you all got here?”

She pursed her lips as if fighting back a giggle. “You’ll have to talk to Lee about that.” Then she winked.

---