Page 98 of The Write Track
“Did you miss me?” I pulled back far enough to stroke my hand over her hair.
“You have no idea,” she replied, not missing a beat. “I missed you more than Michael missed his knife between the second and fourthHalloweenmovies.”
“Oh, good reference.” I sank into the chair next to her, not bothering to greet Hayley and Bree. “I missed you that much too.”
“Aw.” Bella patted my cheek. “I knew you were pining for me.”
I went in for another kiss, only stopping when I heard the fake retching noises from across the table. I pulled back and gave Bree and Hayley dark glowers. “Ladies,” I drawled. “I can’t tell you how joyful I am to see the two of you.”
“You don’t sound very sincere,” Bree challenged.
“You’re very good at reading people.” I winked to let her know I was joking and grabbed a menu. “I’m starving. I don’t think I’ve ever been to this place before.”
“The food is good,” Bree said. “We should get a lot of it because we only had salads for lunch, and we’re starving.”
Bella gave Bree a weird look. “Just salads? There were soup and conch fritters in there too.”
“If you have salad for lunch, it’s the only thing that counts,” Bree shot back.
“How is that the rule?”
“It just is.” Bree wasn’t having any of it. “Everybody order, and then we’ll talk about our plan to take down Preston, huh? I have a few ideas.”
I was eager to hear them, so I scanned the menu quickly. “Man, a shrimp burger sounds just disgusting enough to be awesome.”
Bella gave me a horrified look.
“Shrimp tacos sound good too,” I added.
She emphatically shook her head. “Shrimp does not belong in a taco.”
“Okay, how about you tell me what you’re getting, and I’ll adjust accordingly.”
Her laughter was made of confetti. “You should get what you want.”
“You just mocked my shrimp burger idea.”
“Because that sounds freaky.” She was deadly serious. “What if it’s so gross that you can’t eat it and have to skip dinner altogether because you don’t have time to order something else?”
“Somehow I think I’ll be okay. I can eat anything.”
She still looked dubious but focused on the menu. “I’m getting the Shrimp & Crab Au Gratin.”
“That sounds good.” I absently rubbed my hand over her back. “There are a lot of seafood options.”
“That’s what I’m getting,” Hayley said. “They have crab legs. I love crab legs.”
“I do, too, but they’re messy,” Bree supplied. “I’m not a dainty eater, even when I don’t have the threat of wearing a dirty shirt to a reader event hanging over me.”
I laughed. “I bet they have those bibs to keep your clothes clean.”
“You’re mocking me, but I’m okay with those bibs.” She visibly brightened. “I’m getting the crab legs too.”
“I’m getting the steamed platter,” Brody said. “I don’t care how expensive it is. I’m going nuts.”
“I’m getting the Peach Long Island Iced Tea to drink,” I added, my fingers still roaming Bella’s slim back. I’d gone hours without touching her. I was going to make up for it before we had to be on our best behavior in front of the readers.
“That sounds good to me too,” Brody agreed.
