Jennifer Probst - All the Way

Hey, Gavin, can you take table three?

Gavin Luciano turned to face his younger brother, Brando. A familiar combination of pleading and rebellion shone from dark brown eyes as Brando shifted from one foot to the other. Ive got a crisis in the kitchen and you want me to play waiter? I thought we agreed that would be your responsibility?

The rebelliousness won over the pleading. I gotta go to the bathroom.

Gavin lifted one brow. Im sure table three can wait another ten seconds.

Then I need to call Tracey. I told her Id call at six.

Hmmm. I can always count on you to romance your women at prime dinner time.

Give me a break.

Gavin hid a smile. He wondered if his younger brother knew he was capable of blushing. Text her. Ill take this table while you go the bathroom. Tracey can wait another hour.

A scowl settled over Brandos face but he decided not to argue. This time. Fine. Brando raced from the kitchen.

Gavin tried to remember if hed ever been that young, where every lustful thought had been carved into his features and his body overruled his mind. Probably not. He couldnt remember when hed been willing to give up a business deal for a romantic afternoon in the park. Of course, that was probably the reason the family restaurant was going under. Pop had no problem throwing a sign on the doorGone Fishingeven during peak lunch hours.

He shook his head. It was going to be a hell of a night. Another waiter had called in sick, and his normally stable chef believed his wife was having an affair. The man seemed to have a heavy hand with the pepper and seasonings tonight, almost as if he imagined he served his new wifes lover. Gavin hoped everyone ordered the special. The sea bass was easy to prepare without screwing up the spices.

His progress halted as Dominick, the bartender, blocked his path. I need a smoke. Can you cover the bar?

He grabbed for his patience and reminded himself he was here to save a restaurant, not kill his staff. No. I told you the new rules. Smoke on your breaks.

Dominick twitched and clapped him on the shoulder. Since theyd grown up together, it was difficult playing the boss. Come on, dude. Im dying here. The crowds taken care of for the next few.

Gavin gave him a look that made many young interns quake. Dont push me, Dominick. Im already playing waiter, and Im not getting behind the bar. If you dont want me to fire your ass, get it back in your spot.

The mutinous look almost made him feel guilty. Almost. You need to get laid, man. Dominick trudged back behind the bar, cigarette still in hand. No wonder Mia Casa never made a profit.

Gavin had three months to turn the Titanic, and hed already run out of lifeboats. Pumping an obscene amount of money into the renovations would help, but if they didnt get a schedule together and solid, sparkling reviews for the food, God himself couldnt hold back the icy waters.

He fought a shudder, clawed deep for calm, and headed toward table three.

Then he saw her.

He stopped short and stared. A swirling array of emotions slammed through him like a hurtling freight train, and for one brief moment, he was in another time and another place. The last image of her flickered before his eyes, an image hed been trying to fight since he had returned home.

She was with the same man as hed seen her with a few weeks ago. The pathetic reminder of his lovesick spying twisted his gut but he greedily gorged on her appearance.

She took off her raincoat and threw it over the back of the chair. One hand reached up to shake the moisture from her hair, causing a couple of loose curls to escape the constraints of her perfect French twist. Titian-red strands slid over her neck and shoulders. He remembered those curls used to tumble down her back in wild gypsy waves. Used to feel like fire trapped in satin when he would thread his fingers through them. The single candle on the table flickered and illuminated the pearl sheen of her skin, left bare by the low-cut black dress.

A pair of trendy black-framed glasses now shielded jade green eyes. And something else, something intangible he couldnt grasp yet. Almost as if there was a wall built around her that screamed look, but dont touch.

He wondered if her companion ignored the signal. He wondered why the thought bothered him so much.

The woman reached for her menu and laughed at something her companion said. The sound drifted across the room, shot-silk amidst the clatter of china and glasses, and still heady enough to settle in the pit of his gut and squeeze. Hot enough to remind him of a sip of age-old whiskey. With a sting.

Out of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she has to walk into mine. Hell, he wouldnt be surprised if a piano player named Sam burst into As Time Goes By.

Gavin dragged in a lungful of air and paused for a beat. Then he walked toward table number three.

Miranda Storme scanned the menu with an ease of an expert, her mind automatically making mental notes of prices and cuisine. She wondered if shed have enough time to order the special.

Uh-oh, youve got that look on your face.

Miranda glanced up. What look?

Andy Carson pulled his brows into a frown. The critic look. Cant we enjoy one meal without whipping out your notepad? Lets be rebels tonight. Lets order a plain bowl of spaghetti and meatballs and forget about testing the chefs skills. Im tired of working every time I pick up a fork.

She laughed. Andy, you get to eat for free, and I dont even make you write the column.

I dont care. I had a Big Mac yesterday and I couldnt enjoy it. I kept trying to figure out exactly what was in that special sauce.

She bit her lip. Okay. Since youre nice enough to suffer through the opera with me, Ill order the spaghetti. An Italian restaurant cant screw it up, and we can make the performance in time.

His face lit up as he closed the menu. Perfect. Anyway, were not on an official review tonight andwhats the matter? You look like youve seen a ghost.

She watched the man approach her table and heard a strange roaring in her ears. Long strides closed the distance between them with the same ruthless determination hed shown years ago. It had been part of him shed fallen in love with.

Until he had used that same determination to walk right out of her life.

Hello, Red.

As the deep, gravelly voice stroked her ears, Miranda controlled a shudder. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to meet his, and was grateful she still felt numb. Steel-blue eyes met and held hers. Piercing in intensity, as if he could see right into her soul. Once, he had. Shed sworn to never make the mistake again.

Hello, Gavin. She kept her tone even, as if running into your first love occurred on a daily basis. How are you?

Fine. The polite, clich conversation made her shudder, but no original words rose to her lips. His probing gaze released her and studied Andy. He seemed to take inventory, as if checking for weaknesses that could be used later to his advantage. An awkward silence settled over the table.

I take it you two know each other, Andy said.

Miranda re-gathered her composure. Andrew Carson, this is Gavin Luciano. The two men exchanged nods. Gavin and I dated many years ago. He was an up and coming advertising executive at the time. She forced a smile. Im sure hes been quite successful.