Pitch Perfect Read Free Page A

a lot. So would you like to wait?” Bella politely persisted.
    “Well, I’m just passing through and in a bit of a rush,” Mia replied slowly but then leaned forward and shook her head. Somehow this homey atmosphere made her feel guilty for fibbing. “Actually, that’s not true. It just smells divine and I’m famished.”
    “I totally understand. And trust me, you won’t be disappointed.” Bella glanced over her shoulder and then back at Mia. “Well, would you mind sitting at the back counter? There’s a vacant stool there.”
    Mia looked at the open seat between a big, burly dude in overalls who sported a Santa-like beard and a younger guy in jeans and a baseball cap. While they appeared friendly enough, Mia had issues about sharing her personal space. She swallowed hard and was about to tell Bella that she would wait, but then she spotted a waitress carrying a tray laden with delicious-looking comfort food and nodded. “A stool at the counter would be perfect. Thank you so much.”
    “Super.” Bella raised one dark eyebrow just slightly, making Mia wonder if the hostess knew her dilemma. “You may seat yourself. Enjoy your lunch,” she added with a smile.
    “Thank you!” Mia made her way to the rear of the dining room. She passed a lovely array of desserts beneath a revolving glass display counter but told herself not to indulge and kept on moving. Oh, but then her eyes were drawn to a room to the right that had a script sign that read WINE AND DIVINE . It was a gift shop!
    Mia’s footsteps slowed to a near stop when she spotted a rack of colorful woven scarves that looked baby soft, and her fingers twitched with the need to touch. She tried to avert her gaze, but when sunlight from the window glinted off a tray of jewelry, she was tugged that way as if pulled by a magnet. She actually rounded a table and craned her neck to see a shelf of lovely candles that she was sure smelled divine like the sign promised, but her stomach rumbled in protest. Her need for food was making her light-headed and was the only thing that kept her feet walking toward the round stool. Well,
that
and the little voice in the back of her head that reminded Mia that she was without credit cards and had very little cash left. She did still have her father’s gas card tucked in her wallet, so at least putting fuel in the temperamental Toyota wasn’t going to be a problem. Mia cringed as she thought that her next meal might have to be a shriveled-up hot dog twirling on one of those greasy silver grids in a convenience store so unlike the delicious Chicago-style dogs sold from street vendors.
    Trying her best not to bump the bearded guy, who was totally taking up more than his share of the allotted space, Mia leaned a little to the right as she scooted onto the stool. She was almost successful, but her hobo-style purse slid from her shoulder and whacked the elbow of the younger guy just as he lifted his arm to take a drink from a tall glass.
    “What the . . . ,” he griped as he doused his burger. Water splashed down the front of his shirt and he hissed when ice cubes clinked against the counter and landed in a neat little heap between his legs.
    “Sorry!” Mia squeaked and started snatching napkins from the little metal holder. She tried to dab at his sopping shirt, but he made some sort of rude growling noise and jumped up from the stool. Without looking at her, he scooped the remaining pile of ice from the stool and dumped it back into his glass. “Sorry,” Mia repeated in a lower voice, but all she got was his narrowed gaze. “It was an accident!” she repeated in a firmer tone and felt heat creep into her cheeks when she realized that they had become the center of attention.
    “You could have been more careful.” He plucked at his T-shirt, which was clinging to him like a second skin.
    Mia tried not to stare at his nicely defined chest but failed. “I’ll pay for your meal,” Mia assured him politely and nodded