Nobody But You B&N Read Free

are you being so mysterious?"
    "Because you'll probably laugh."
    "Try me."
    Spencer shifted his feet and dug his hands into his pockets. "Fine. You know the deli job was just supposed to be short-term, a way to make some cash while I decided what I wanted to do for a career."
    "Right, so…"
    "So, Gus has been letting me help in the kitchen. We don't make much at the deli beyond sandwiches, soups and the occasional pasta special, but I've discovered that I like cooking. It's creative and doesn't involve dealing with the customers, which I don't care for as much. I've been experimenting with dishes at home and toying with the idea of becoming a chef. I know it's ridiculous," he added quickly, sure he was taking the words right out of Max's mouth.
    "Why do you say that? It sounds like a great idea to me, Spencer."
    "I'm probably too old."
    "You're thirty-seven."
    "That's old for a career change."
    "No, it's not. What do you need to do? Cooking school?"
    "I could definitely use some training. I saw some classes I could take, and Gus has some connections in the city. He thought he could get me a job as a sous chef if I learn a few more things."
    Max nodded, an approving light in his eyes. "You should do it."
    "I'm thinking about it." He was already regretting sharing the plan with Max, because he could see the excitement in Max's gaze. His brother was itching to fix his life in some way, because that was Max. He liked to fix things, save people, make everything better. It's what made him a good cop. But Spencer had to find his own way to his future.
    "What's to think about?" Max asked.
    "It will take me years to make even a tenth of what I was making as a commodities trader."
    "It's not about money. It's about doing something that makes you happy. And you just said you don't want to go backwards. So go forward. You have to start somewhere. It sucks, but it is what it is."
    Max was always pragmatic, and in this instance, Spencer appreciated the lack of bullshit. "Yeah, it is what it is," he echoed. He shifted his feet and tugged at his tie. "At least I won't have to wear suits as a chef. It's been a long time since I wore a tie. I forgot how constricting they are."
    "It wasn't my idea. Emma told me the tuxes were non-negotiable."
    "Emma is going to keep you on your toes."
    "Agreed. She's beautiful but stubborn."
    He grinned at the love in his brother's eyes. "I knew it would take someone like Emma to break down that wall around your heart. You fell hard for her."
    "I tried not to, but how could I resist? She's one of a kind. You should see her in action, Spence. She charges into burning buildings like it's nothing. She's fearless and determined and a really good investigator. And you know she's taken a lot of shit being a female firefighter, but she doesn't get down when people try to put her down. She just proves them wrong."
    "She's tough."
    "She always tries to be, but she has a softness about her, too. Sometimes she cares too much about her cases, about the people involved." He shrugged. "But I like that about her as well. She's just the whole package."
    "You're lucky you found her."
    "I am lucky." He checked his watch. "I'm also late."
    "You still have a few minutes. There's only one more person in front of us. How long could it take?"
    Max pulled out his phone as it began to vibrate. He looked down at the screen and muttered, "Damn."
    "What's wrong?"
    "A case I'm working on. I need to take this. Hold my place."
    "No problem."
    As Max moved a few feet away to take his call, Spencer glanced at the woman standing in front of him. Her wavy, dark red hair fell halfway down her back. She wore a black wool coat over a gray sweater, with blue jeans and black boots completing the outfit. A colorful scarf was draped around her neck. As she impatiently shifted her feet, he caught a glimpse of her profile, beautiful pale skin with a few freckles on the bridge of her nose, full pink lips, and green eyes set off by dark lashes. She was