The Return of the Tycoon Read Free Page A

Nick,” she said.
    “Please,” he begged her. A minute that seemed like forever went by; she then nodded in resigned agreement.
    “Now,” he continued, tapping the chest-high table with the bottom of his fist. “Tell me why, again, we always sit in this booth.”
    “Because,” she said after a pause, “it’s the farthest from the door, so we have to stay longer.”
    “That’s right,” he smiled, remembering Julie’s logic. It took longer to walk to the table and longer to walk back to the door, which meant they would have that much more time together. “How could I have forgotten? Do we need to look at the menu?”
    “Nope. I know what I’m getting.”
    Nicholas raised an eyebrow. “And to drink? Are we really going to get what we used to get?” he teased.
    “Oh, come on now, Nick,” she clucked her tongue disapprovingly. “I have been such a good sport. You dragged me out here in the middle of the night—in my pajamas, no less. I think you can forgo the top-shelf bourbons and overpriced champagnes for just one night.”
    Nicholas felt certain he could forgo both every night for the rest of his life if it meant he could be here again with Julie. He watched Julie, her hair tousled and unruly from the ride over. Nicholas had dated many beautiful women over the years, but Julie Miller in her pajamas and with no makeup trumped them all, or so it seemed to him. How could he have been so stupid in the past?
    When the waiter arrived to take their drink order, Nicholas knew what he’d be getting.
    “A pitcher of Rheingold,” Nicholas and Julie blurted in unison. Catching her eye, he felt happiness unlike anything he’d felt in years.
    “Rice water?” he asked, when he could get himself under control. “I would think you’d be able to afford better on a nurse’s salary.”
    She gave him a mock sad face. “I would, but I’m still paying off my student loans. Besides, when at Gerald’s Pizzeria, I think Rheingold is a requirement. New York’s finest for old time’s sake.” Yes, Rheingold had been all they could afford when they were students. Now, Nicholas could have bought the factory that made it, if he wanted to. But here he was, ordering the cheapest beer on the menu. Rheingold arrived promptly, and Nicholas poured a pint for them.
    “For old time’s sake,” he toasted. Julie smiled and touched his upraised glass with hers.
    “This doesn’t mean I forgive you,” she said, growing serious for a moment.
    “Then, I will have to ply you with beer until you do.”
    “That will take a lot of Rheingold.”
    Nicholas raised his eyebrow. “I can afford that.”
    “You’ll be on the floor before you can reach for your wallet,” Julie smirked, her glass hovering just below her lips. “I always drank you under the table.”
    “I’d like to see you try,” he said. He watched her, hazel eyes dancing in the dim lamplight, tired lights of the cars passing in twilight outside. But his only wish was to reach across the table and pull her into a spontaneous kiss just as he used to. “You never could reach the bottom before me.”
    “Yes, I could,” she insisted, sniffing indignantly. “You always lost.”
    “On the count of three, then.”
    “You’re on!” Julie’s free hand shot in the air as she counted off wordlessly on her fingers. She jumped the gun once she got to two, throwing back her beer, Nicholas scrambling to catch up. He tilted the glass to his lips, chugging as fast as he could to reach the bottom. A second later, he heard the ping of Julie’s empty glass as she slammed it against the tabletop. He still had about an inch left when he saw her grinning at him, bright pink lips moist, and a golden trickle of beer dribbling down her adorable chin. He was tempted to lick her lips clean.
    “See,” she grinned, swallowing back a burp. “I told you I always win.” Nicholas threw back the rest of his drink before setting the empty glass next to hers.
    “Only because you