Read Liver Let Die for Free Online

writing personals only’ nuts?” Michael asked, cocking one eyebrow.
    Jordan laughed. “Don’t get carried away. It was only one review, but I did get promoted in the process.”
    “Fantastic!” Victor reached over and high-fived Jordan. “No more bologna sandwiches for you.”
    She scrunched her face. “Not exactly.”
    Ray set a slice of the dessert in front of her. “Not exactly what, Jordan?”
    She dodged the question. “Egan is convinced the people of Ranchero will be just as upset as I was about the inhumane treatment of the ducks. He thinks I’ll touch a lot of readers with the story.”
    “Oh, you definitely will,” Victor said. “I’m ready to go down to the restaurant right now and boycott.”
    “Don’t be such a drama queen,” Michael said tartly, still not ready to make nice with Victor. “So how much of a raise came with this promotion, Jordan?”
    She lowered her eyes. This was going to sound way worse than it really was. “Egan can’t afford to up my salary as long as he’s still paying the woman who used to write the column.”
    “What?” Victor exclaimed. “Honey, I’m not trying to tell you how to run your life, but is this what you really want to do? Work harder for less pay?”
    “Oh, leave her alone,” Lola said, coming to her defense. “This job obviously means a lot to our girl if she’s willing to do that. We need to be supportive.” She paused. “Besides, Jordan loves bologna.”
    “Yeah, and I’ll be writing two columns a week now instead of just one.”
    “Honey, that’s terrific,” Ray said. “Why the sour puss?”
    Jordan thought about denying she was worried, then decided these people knew her better than any of her co-workers who were by her side forty hours a week. “I have to post recipes and write about fancy food.”
    “So?” Ray shrugged. “How difficult can that be?”
    “Hello. Remember me—the queen of the ‘I’ll have fries with that’ club?”
    After a long pause, Michael finally verbalized what everyone else was thinking. “Yeah, that might be a problem.”
    “Does Egan know you’re clueless in the kitchen?” Victor blurted, before slapping a hand over his mouth. “Sorry, Jordan. That didn’t come out right.”
    “It came out perfect, Victor. I am clueless. I was so excited about seeing my name in the paper twice a week, I forgot what a fraud I really am.”
    “First off, you’re not a fraud. You’re one of the most genuine people I know. Besides, I think I have the perfect solution,” Rosie said as all eyes turned her way.
    “What do I love to do best besides making jewelry?” she asked. When nobody responded, she threw her arms in the air. “Cooking, you ninnies. I love to cook.”
    “How’s that going to help Jordan?” Lola asked, her face showing her confusion.
    Rosie leaned across the table toward Jordan. “What if you printed some of my recipes in your column?”
    Jordan reached over and patted the older woman’s hand. “You are such a sweetheart, Rosie, but as much as I love your food, I can’t use it. Egan specifically mentioned fancy recipes.”
    “Okay, back to square one,” Ray said. “Get your brains in gear, you guys. We’ve got to help our girl out.”
    “I got it!” Victor leaped from his chair with enough force to send it backward. Michael caught it just before it crashed to the carpet. “Budin de Papitas Fritas con Pollo.” With all eyes looking at him as if he were on drugs, he added, “Potato Chip Chicken, an old-world recipe my grandmother brought over from Spain.” He winked at Jordan. “Nobody has to know my grandmother came from a little village outside Mexico City. It’s perfect.”
    Jordan barely had time to think about it before her friends erupted with glee.
    “That’s freakin’ brilliant, Victor, putting a fancy name to Rosie’s masterpiece,” Ray said. “What do you think, kiddo?”
    Jordan rubbed her forehead, her eyes moving around the table from one friend to another.