And Then He Kissed Me Read Online Free

from the company vision—every restaurant is the same, right down to the menu?”
    â€œThat was my father’s vision. Times have changed. We can, too. Especially if you factor in philosophy.”
    â€œLet the managers manage?”
    He nodded. His three brothers were also involved in the family business. Joe was CEO in charge of personnel and hiring. “If my brother’s done his job, every restaurant has a dynamite manager, in which case all we have to do is stand back and let him or her do what he or she does best.”
    â€œSo if every location is made up of specific clientele, aspects of the operation could be altered accordingly?”
    â€œWhy not?” he asked. If every employee was like her, his job would be a snap. “Think about it, Abby.”
    â€œI will.”
    They grinned at each other for several moments. Nick hadn’t felt this exhilarated in a long time and sensed that Abby felt it, too. Excitement flushed her cheeks and sparkled in her eyes. Her full lips turned up, revealing a rare, beautiful smile. He couldn’t remember the last time talking business had been so much fun.
    Then she blinked and her smile faltered. The serious, professional mask was replaced faster than you could say “fettuccine Alfredo.”
    She glanced at her watch. “Wow, look at the time. You’re going to be late.”
    He suddenly had an idea. “Come to dinner with us.”

    Startled, she put a hand to her chest. “Me?”
    He looked around. “I don’t see anyone else here. Of course, you.”
    â€œI couldn’t.”
    â€œSure you could. Madison likes you. You admitted you like her. Give me one good reason why you can’t join us.”
    â€œOkay. Car pool.”
    â€œExcuse me?”
    â€œSarah and her friends got a ride to the movies with April Petersen’s mom and I have to pick them up.”
    He couldn’t help wondering how many other things she’d missed because she’d become a mother at eighteen. He was helping her plan a milestone birthday for Sarah. Had anyone made hers special?
    â€œWhat did you do when you turned twenty-one?”
    She looked surprised, then shrugged. “I don’t remember. I suppose the usual—school, took care of Sarah, and work.”
    â€œThat’s against the law.”
    â€œHuh?” she said.
    â€œIn my family there’s a traditional rite of passage into adulthood that involves going somewhere your ID will be checked. An unforgettable experience.”
    â€œThat’s really nice, but I don’t see—”
    He grinned. “Obviously I owe you a twenty-first birthday.”

Chapter Two
    A bby blinked away her shock. He felt responsible for her twenty-first birthday? She wanted to ask where that had come from.
    Instead she said, “Aside from the obvious, that it’s now two years after the fact, why would you think you owe me that?”
    â€œWhen you hired on, you became part of the Marchetti family. I don’t know where my head was back then.”
    The dark look was back momentarily, as if he was remembering something unpleasant. He so rarely looked angry, she couldn’t help noticing that it had happened twice in one day. What bad memory had brought that expression to his face? Whatever it was, she had the most absurd desire to make it better.
    She pushed the thought away and said, “That’s a no-brainer. Your head was where it always is.” She gave him a wry look. “Buried in business.”
    â€œMaybe.” One corner of his mouth lifted, replacing
his tension with teasing. “The fact is, you became an adult and the occasion was not properly acknowledged.”
    â€œIt was a long time ago. I don’t care—”
    â€œI do,” he said in his I’m-the-boss voice that suffered no pithy comeback.
    â€œIt’s very nice of you to be concerned, Nick. But it’s over. Even if I wanted you to,