It's In His Kiss - By Mary Leo Page 0,2
it wanted to make sure she saw it.
“This place looks great.” He gave her the once over. “You look great.”
The raging glow seemed to have no impact on him. He just kept smiling, completely oblivious to what was happening all around him.
This is so cool!
Rose wore a gray top that covered her hips, a thick black belt around her waist, skinny black jeans, and knee-high black boots. Not that she would keep the boots on once she began cooking, worn sneakers were good enough for that, but she liked to come into work looking half-way decent. Now, as she stared at a glowing Max she wished she’d worn something that showed a little more cleavage.
“Thanks,” she mumbled. “So do you.”
He looked more than great, incredibly sexy seemed like an apt description. Problem was, if his personality hadn’t changed in the last ten years, his ego didn’t need to hear anything more.
“That’s my Rosie. Always quick with the compliments.”
He dropped his backpack on the waxed floor, stood his suitcase upright and walked behind the bar and gave her one of those quick hugs a person would give to their aunt, or grandmother, the ruby red glow never leaving him. “Where’s that cousin of mine? She told me to meet her here.”
“In back,” Rose told him, still trying to assimilate the crystal’s obvious misguided glow.
Max looked like some Latin god with a face that could break a girls’ heart with just one glance and a body guaranteed to bring her back for more.
“So, I hear you’re a chef now.” He took a step back and gave her another once over, smirking as his eyes traveled up and down her body. It gave her a rush of excitement. “Little Rosie Cupido, a chef. Who knew?”
“Just about everyone I ever came in contact with.” The excitement immediately changed to annoyance.
He laughed, one of those deep baritone laughs that came from somewhere in his past. “I see you never lost your searing sense of humor.”
“I see you never lost your ability to call me by a nickname I’ve always hated.”
“Wow, I haven’t seen you in ten years and you’re still carrying a grudge.”
Rose crossed her arms under her chest. “Getting stood up for your senior prom will do that to a girl.”
He blew out a sigh. “We’ve been over this, and I didn’t stand you up, exactly. I sent you an email.”
“Who blows off prom night in an email?”
“Rosie, I mean, Rose, I had no choice if I was ever going to get the chance to meet the Dalai Lama. I had to leave when I did or he would’ve been on tour and I might have missed an incredible opportunity.”
“As it was, you had the tour dates wrong, or so I heard, and he was in Dharmsala, India for two entire weeks after you arrived. You could have waited one more day.”
“Hindsight is always twenty-twenty.”
“And a promise is a promise.”
Just then Jasmine walked into the bar and squealed with delight at the sight of her ever traveling cousin. They hugged, a nice tight hug, one that Rose would have appreciated.
The red glow around Max diminished to a faint sparkle.
“When did you get in?” Jasmine asked.
“About an hour ago. This city has done some major changing since I’ve been home. And you.” He quickly looked her over. “You, my fair cousin, look incredible. You’re positively beautiful.”
“Thanks,” Jasmine said, soaking in the compliment. “So tell me everything. Your Facebook page is good, but I’m sure there’s so much more to your travels. I want to hear all about where you’ve been, what you learned, everything!”
They took seats at the bar, and Rose knew this was her time to bow out.
“Well, I’ve got a lot to do to get ready for lunch. Nice to see you again, Max.” Then she turned to Jasmine. “If you need anything, you know where to find me.”
“Whatever you have to do can wait for an hour. Come on and sit down with us. I know you want to hear this.”
Jasmine had always played matchmaker with Max and Rose, but Rose was in no mood for it this morning. No way could she sit and listen to all the places he’d gone and everything he’d learned without wishing she’d been with him. Of course, she knew she’d never have gone with him even if he had asked, which he most certainly did not. Still, the fantasy of their traveling together had lingered despite her logic.
“You two have a lot of catching up