Read Breaking All The Rules (Book 1 - Second Chances Series) for Free Online Page B

food.”
    “Toughen,” I repeated and then realization dawned on me. “Tuscan.”
    “What?”
    “Tuscany is a part of Italy. That’s why they call it Tuscan food.”
    Renea nodded. “Oh. Okay. I get that. Anyway,” she continued, “people are talking about it like it’s the best thing since sweetwater cornbread. The décor is really nice and you need a reservation on weekends. People come all the way from Atlanta and Alabama to eat there.”
    Folks were traveling to this place. I heard a cash register cha-ching in my head. “I assumed we’d have the party at someone’s house.”
    “Well we could, but I ain’t got time to clean mine up and the other girls don’t think their houses are nice enough.”
    “Our house is fine.”
    “But how are we going to surprise her at her own house? I think Palermo’s should be good, if they have space. You’ll find that out won’t you?”
    What she meant was, I’d find out what the space cost. I merely nodded.
    “I don’t think we should have a stripper or anything.” Renea raised a hand to the side of her face and whispered. “First Lady Wright is probably going to come.”
    I propped my chin on my fist. “She’ll come if she’s invited. She doesn’t have to be you know and the party doesn’t really have to be surprise.”
    Renea twisted her lip like she’d never considered either possibility. “Well, we can’t have a stripper at the restaurant, so… let’s just stick to a nice dinner in a private room with gifts and games and pictures. That seems more appropriate for a pregnant bride don’t you think?”
    I relented. “I’ll check on Palermo’s.”
    Renea clapped her hands gleefully. “As soon as you let me know about it, I’ll call the girls. Can you see if they have this Sunday afternoon? I think a Sunday afternoon is best.”
    The waitress returned with our meals. Renea inhaled her sandwich and sucked down her tea in what seemed like one large slurp. She reached into her purse and exclaimed. “I forgot my wallet at the shop. I had to get change out for a customer.”
    “No problem. I have it.” It’s nothing compared to the meal you want me to pay for at Palermo’s, I thought.
    “Great. I need to get back to the shop. Text me and let me know the details.” She stood and gave me a hug. “Good luck with the rest of your planning stuff.”
    I sat back in my chair. Good luck was right. I had way too many things to do and had yet to decide what we would do for decorations and favors. I wished I’d had time to order those from my favorite little place in North Carolina, but I didn’t. They required too much notice and I hadn’t given any real thought to what I would do for Janette prior to getting on the plane.  This was just not my favorite wedding to plan.
    The bell rang over the restaurant door and in sauntered Ethan. I was beginning to think he was following me and I intended to tell him so. He spotted me right away and made his way to my table. “Fancy finding you here.”
    “I was wondering if I needed a restraining order.”
    Ethan laughed and dropped his body into the chair Renea had vacated. “No need for that, Luv. I only stay where I’m wanted.”
    I guffawed. “So I guess you’ll be rising up out of that seat soon.”
    He threw his hands up. “You’re snarky. What’s gotten into you?”
    I sighed and dropped my head in my hands for a moment. Then I raised my head and met his eyes. Ethan had the sexist eyes I had ever seen in my life. They were downright dreamy and always looked like he’d just woken up. That was the hotness.
    “You don’t want to know because you already think I’m being silly.”
    “You can’t get sillier.” He chuckled, but then raised his hands in surrender, “I digress. I won’t mention that again.”
    The waitress approached our table and hands on hips, breast “up and at’em” she stood right in front of Ethan. She was so close that he could have licked her if he stuck his tongue out.