Perfect Pairing Read Free Page A

if wanting to ball into fists, was the only fleeting signal of her ire. Whoever she was, she’d perfected the stone cold business face. “Sully, was it?”
    â€œThe one and only.”
    â€œGreat. Sully, I’m sorry for speaking to you the way I did. I’m sorry for taking up so much of your time.” She turned back to Hal. “I’m sorry for not following the proper procedures for setting an appointment. I wasn’t able to find a phone number on your social media pages, or I would’ve called ahead, but the least I could’ve done is ask for a more convenient time to talk.”
    â€œMaybe if you’d done that,” Hal said almost wistfully, “I would’ve told you I always stay until the food is gone or the last person is fed. After that, I’m all ears. But you didn’t ask. You got all entitled up in our grill, backed up our lines, insulted my friend, and took me away from my job—a job I love.”
    â€œAnd I apologized for that.”
    â€œYou also dropped some old-school rap cred, which impresses mefrom a woman in a shark suit and three-inch heels,” Hal said slowly. “So I’m going to give you a do-over.”
    â€œA do-over?” Both the woman and Sully repeated.
    â€œI’m going to go back in my truck and make some food for all the nice people who understand how a line works, and if at the end, the very end of that line, you happen to want to buy a sandwich, I might talk to you while you eat it.”
    â€œAnd if I just walk away right now? You won’t even wonder about what you missed out on?”
    Hal’s short shot of a laugh was unexpected even to her. “Lady, I’ve missed out on more things in my life than you can even begin to imagine. Nothing you could possibly offer will keep me awake at night.”

    â€œShe’s still here,” Sully said after she’d served the last of the stragglers and picked up a scrubbing pad to begin the second shift, which involved degreasing the truck.
    â€œWho?”
    â€œDon’t play dumb. I’ve seen you checking her out all night.”
    Hal pretended to inspect the knobs on the gas burners. Damn Sully and her attentiveness. She never let her play it cool. Of course she’d been watching the woman all night, but not as closely as she’d watched Hal. She’d sworn she could feel her icy blue stare even from inside the steam-filled truck. What was her problem?
    â€œShe’s got a hard-on for you, dude.”
    â€œShe does not. She’s watching me like a scientist looks through a microscope, all detached and squinty.”
    â€œClinical maybe, but not detached. You got her all hot under the collar earlier.”
    Hal didn’t argue, but she did disagree. She hadn’t had much effect on the woman at all, at least not comparatively speaking. Hell, she’d even given her a second chance.
    â€œSpeak of the devil-wears-Prada, looks like she’s ready to swoop in for the kill.”
    Hal glanced up but didn’t respond as the woman approached, more slowly this time, restrained, calculated. She waited until all she could see was the top of her blond head over the edge of the serving ledge before asking, “What can I get for you?”
    â€œI’ll take a,” she cleared her throat, “ Hippy Dippy .”
    Sully smothered a snort, either at the pained way in which the woman pronounced the name, or the fact that she’d chosen, not surprisingly, the preppiest sandwich they made. The combination of goat cheese, honey, and arugula on rye bread was a favorite with the health conscious and uptight, and right or wrong, they did stereotype customers based on their orders.
    â€œOne Hippy Dippy ,” Hal called in her best business voice.
    â€œGot it, Chef,” Sully replied.
    She turned back to the woman. “Anything else?”
    â€œActually, I would like to have a word with you, but if you’re busy