Jokingly, he fanned his face with his hand and said in a mock-Emelda tone, “Well, I just…”
Liza laughed. “You’re incorrigible.”
“I don’t know what that means, but I’m here all day, six days a week for your entertainment pleasure. I get Mondays off for good behavior.” He rolled his eyes, then added, “And the fact that no one ever books a meeting or a party on a Monday.”
“I’ll remember that. See ya later,” she told him.
Liza left the Elks Lodge and the Ladies Who Lunch and headed back into town to tidy up Jess’ shop—which looked like a twister had passed through it—before she returned to the Lodge to clean up the luncheon.
* * * * *
Later that night, she walked into Pietro’s on Jack’s arm. They were greeted by the expected aroma of mouthwatering Italian food. What took Liza by surprise, however, was that it was standing-room only.
“Holy cow,” she said to Jack.
“Best restaurant in town. Gets a little crowded on weekend nights.”
“A little,” she mumbled under her breath. Thank God they had reservations. And that Ruby was such a big fan of Jack. Liza hoped the wait wouldn’t be too long. Now that she was inhaling the delicious scent of garlic and spicy meat, she didn’t think she could keep herself from busting down the kitchen door in search of whatever dish created that heavenly scent.
“We’re having the special, right?” she asked, already planning her meal.
Jack grinned. “That’s where I’d put my money.”
“Yeah, me too. Damn, whatever it is, it’s making me salivate.”
“I’ll be sure to wipe the drool from the corners of your mouth,” he said as he bent his head to hers and spoke low and sexily in her ear. “With my tongue.”
Wildfires broke out all over her body, their flickering flames teasing her erogenous zones. “Behave,” she whispered back. “Or Ruby will kick us out.”
“Not likely,” Jack said with a snort. “I’m her best customer. Besides, she likes that I keep things lively.”
Liza had no doubt about it—on both counts. Jack definitely knew how to make life more interesting.
“You’re late,” a familiar voice greeted them.
Liza’s head snapped in the direction of the podium, where Ruby stood, crossing off names on her reservation list. Tonight, she wore a black apron over her plain clothes that read, “Kiss me, I’m Italian.”
Liza laughed.
Ruby scowled at her.
Liza stifled her amusement.
“Reservation says seven o’clock,” she informed them. “It’s seven-fifteen.”
“What can I say,” Jack said, holding up a hand in surrender. The other was on the small of Liza’s back. “She distracts me and makes me lose all track of time.”
“Traitor!” Liza said as she playfully elbowed him in the ribs. They’d been delayed by fifteen minutes of sucking face at her front door.
He winced. “Careful, darlin’. I had my own workout last night.”
“You are just too wicked for words,” she shot back.
“Yeah, yeah,” Ruby said. “Are ya eatin’ or are ya flirtin’?”
“Not allowed to do both?” Jack mused as he eased Liza forward with a gentle push.
She followed Ruby to Jack’s special booth in the back.