Read What He Craves for Free Online

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recite the menu. I had lunch at a place this week that had no printed menu. The
wait staff had to recite it for every customer.”
    I leaned toward her and whispered, “No menu means no
prices.”
    “Don’t worry about it.” Looking a little too casual,
considering where we were, Jill sipped from her stemmed water glass.
    I angled even closer. “Do you know something I don’t? Did
you win the lottery?”
    “Um, well.” Jill’s lips twisted. “I did get a bit of a
raise.”
    “You did?”
    “Yeah. Actually, I got a big raise. And a promotion.”
Grinning like a total goon, my bestie held up her glass. “You’re now looking at
the new partner at Schwartz and Eddings, soon to be Schwartz, Eddings and Staton .”
    “Congratulations!” I lifted my glass, and we clinked them.
“To my bestie and her new position.”
    “And to new opportunities for you,” Jill offered.
    “Does that mean you have a lead on a new job for me?”
    “No. I asked.” Jill’s smile faded. “They’ve already hired my
new assistant. Sorry.” She pulled a full pouty frown. “You know I would’ve
given you a good word if they hadn’t.”
    “No biggie. Like I said, I’ll find something.”
    Jack, our tuxedo-shirted waiter hustled over, beamed and
introduced himself before giving an Oscar worthy presentation of each menu
option. I was tempted to applaud when he was finished.
    “Wow,” I said, “that was some performance.”
    His beam brightened. “Thank you. Theater major.”
    “I would never have guessed.” I looked to Jill, figuring I’d
let her order first and then get the same thing.
    “I’ll take the beef medallions,” Jill said.
    Jack nodded, looked to me.
    “I’ll go with the same.”
    “Would you like a wine list?” he asked.
    “We’ll take a couple of glasses of your house red,” Jill
said.
    “Very good.”
    And off he went.
    Jill grinned. “I just ordered a meal without knowing the
price, and I don’t care.”
    “I’m very happy for you.”
    While we ate our meals, Jill jabbered about her new job. I’d
never seen her so excited before. Even though my future wasn’t looking nearly
as bright as hers, I was genuinely thrilled for her.
    At one point, Jill looked at me, guilt dimming the sparkles
in her eyes. “I need to shut up. Here I am, going on and on and you’re wondering
when you’ll get your next paycheck.”
    “Please don’t stop.” I waved my fork at her. “I couldn’t be
any happier for you. You have busted your ass for that law firm. You deserve the
promotion, and so much more.”
    “Did I tell you I’m getting my own assistant ?” she
asked, bouncing in her seat. “And a real office. With a door and everything.”
    “You did.”
    “I just can’t believe it. I mean, sure, I’ve been working
hard. But to finally have someone recognize all that hard work.” She licked her
lips, pushing her empty plate away. “Was that meal insanely delicious or what?”
    “It was.” I smiled down at my own plate, which was empty
too.
    “Can I make a confession?” Jill asked.
    “Sure.”
    “I’m a little scared. About the job. What if I can’t handle
it? What if I fail?”
    “You won’t. You’ve never failed at anything.”
    “What about the ski trip from hell?” she asked.
    “Except for that.”
    “I’m still scared.”
    “I get that.”
    The waiter hurried over, asked if we were interested in the
dessert menu, and, when we passed, gave us the bill. Jill sent him off with her
credit card.
    I was watching him shuffle away when I caught some movement
out of the corner my eye. I looked.
    Shane.
    He wasn’t alone.
    Ohmygod.
    “Bristol?” Jill tapped my hand. “What’re you staring at?”
    I jerked my gaze away and pulled my lips into a smile. “Oh,
nothing. I thought I saw someone I knew. But I was wrong.”
    Jill swiveled in her chair, following the direction of my
gaze before turning back around.
    The waiter returned, set the leather folder with Jill’s
credit card and