Risky Business Read Online Free Page A
Author: Kathryn Shay
“‘Food should be eaten slowly without the interference of the outside world.’” He quoted a saying she’d sent to him and made the corners of hermouth turn up. He realized then how much he liked making Magdalena smile.
Over Caesar salads with grilled salmon, they discussed ordinary things. Logan had a few buddies from college he saw occasionally. His best friend had been in New York City for a while but got transferred to the West Coast. He was glad to have Magdalena to share things with. “Everything okay with the family?”
Magdalenalaughed. It was a sultry one to match her looks. “Yeah. The seven sisters had a sleepover at
Matka’s
house last night. We got rid of the guys.”
“Man, all that estrogen and blond hair in one place. Must have been something.”
“Hmm. All of us were exceptionally open. Nia, especially. She’s a changed woman.”
“She’s in love.”
“She says she’s not.”
“I’m surprised. Women fall in loveat the drop of a hat.”
Eyes wide, she tossed her napkin down. “What an incredibly sexist thing to say, Logan Price.”
He enjoyed teasing her, too. “Women love to be in love, Mags. And they know before men what they want.”
“Is that how it was with Janine?”
Mention of the one that got away—in college—made him frown. “Yeah, she fell first, though I wasn’t far behind.” He stared overher shoulder. “We could have been happy together.”
But she’d been tied to the small, upstate hometown where she’d lived before college. He and Magdalena had that in common from their pasts, as she’d had a similar experience
.
“How do you think Thomas is doing?”
Logan shook his head. “Who knows? He didn’t seem very happy today.”
“He never seems happy.” She bit into a piece of salmon,her even white teeth sinking into the fish. “His wife and kids are great people.”
“They are. It’s Thomas who’s unfulfilled. Always has been.”
“Do you think it’s because he wanted the job you got?”
“That was a long time ago. He wasn’t skilled at operations. He’s fantastic at finance. If he is still disgruntled, I wish he’d let go of it.”
“You said you wished you were closer. I’msorry.”
“Not everybody is as lucky as the Ludzecky sisters. Tell me more about Lizzie. Those stories are always fun.”
After the meal, they were paying the bill when Magdalena’s phone rang. She answered it, since they were finished. Another rule they had: no taking calls while eating. “Magdalena Ludzecky…Who? Oh, yes, Ms. Parks…Yes, of course I remember. It was a bit ago, so I guess I thoughtyou decided not to run it…Oh, fine. I’ll talk to Logan and get right back to you.”
Logan had checked his phone while she was talking on hers but looked up when she disconnected. “Ask me what?”
“That was
TIME
magazine’s Joni Parks. Remember her?”
“She interviewed us. Together. Like you said, I thought they decided against using us for an article.”
“I guess not.” Her grin was cute,as was the sparkle in those hazel eyes. “As a matter of fact, they’re running the article and photos they took of us, but they want us to come down for another shoot next Friday.”
“Why do they need more pictures? As I recall, they got several at the office.”
“Mr. Price,” she said flirtatiously. “How would you like to be on the cover of
TIME
?”
oOo
Donuta loved all her childrenequally, but some were more thoughtful than others. Magdalena was generous with her money but also with her time, which was much more precious to her.
Leaning against the counter in her daughter’s big kitchen, stocked with only the best, Donuta gazed fondly as Magdalena prepared the meal. “Have I told you how much I like these dinners together,
kochanie
?”
“I do, too,
Matka
.” She stillwore work clothes, which included high boots, and had thrown on an apron to cook. “When we’re all together, we don’t get to talk much.”
Donuta shook her head at
Over Caesar salads with grilled salmon, they discussed ordinary things. Logan had a few buddies from college he saw occasionally. His best friend had been in New York City for a while but got transferred to the West Coast. He was glad to have Magdalena to share things with. “Everything okay with the family?”
Magdalenalaughed. It was a sultry one to match her looks. “Yeah. The seven sisters had a sleepover at
Matka’s
house last night. We got rid of the guys.”
“Man, all that estrogen and blond hair in one place. Must have been something.”
“Hmm. All of us were exceptionally open. Nia, especially. She’s a changed woman.”
“She’s in love.”
“She says she’s not.”
“I’m surprised. Women fall in loveat the drop of a hat.”
Eyes wide, she tossed her napkin down. “What an incredibly sexist thing to say, Logan Price.”
He enjoyed teasing her, too. “Women love to be in love, Mags. And they know before men what they want.”
“Is that how it was with Janine?”
Mention of the one that got away—in college—made him frown. “Yeah, she fell first, though I wasn’t far behind.” He stared overher shoulder. “We could have been happy together.”
But she’d been tied to the small, upstate hometown where she’d lived before college. He and Magdalena had that in common from their pasts, as she’d had a similar experience
.
“How do you think Thomas is doing?”
Logan shook his head. “Who knows? He didn’t seem very happy today.”
“He never seems happy.” She bit into a piece of salmon,her even white teeth sinking into the fish. “His wife and kids are great people.”
“They are. It’s Thomas who’s unfulfilled. Always has been.”
“Do you think it’s because he wanted the job you got?”
“That was a long time ago. He wasn’t skilled at operations. He’s fantastic at finance. If he is still disgruntled, I wish he’d let go of it.”
“You said you wished you were closer. I’msorry.”
“Not everybody is as lucky as the Ludzecky sisters. Tell me more about Lizzie. Those stories are always fun.”
After the meal, they were paying the bill when Magdalena’s phone rang. She answered it, since they were finished. Another rule they had: no taking calls while eating. “Magdalena Ludzecky…Who? Oh, yes, Ms. Parks…Yes, of course I remember. It was a bit ago, so I guess I thoughtyou decided not to run it…Oh, fine. I’ll talk to Logan and get right back to you.”
Logan had checked his phone while she was talking on hers but looked up when she disconnected. “Ask me what?”
“That was
TIME
magazine’s Joni Parks. Remember her?”
“She interviewed us. Together. Like you said, I thought they decided against using us for an article.”
“I guess not.” Her grin was cute,as was the sparkle in those hazel eyes. “As a matter of fact, they’re running the article and photos they took of us, but they want us to come down for another shoot next Friday.”
“Why do they need more pictures? As I recall, they got several at the office.”
“Mr. Price,” she said flirtatiously. “How would you like to be on the cover of
TIME
?”
oOo
Donuta loved all her childrenequally, but some were more thoughtful than others. Magdalena was generous with her money but also with her time, which was much more precious to her.
Leaning against the counter in her daughter’s big kitchen, stocked with only the best, Donuta gazed fondly as Magdalena prepared the meal. “Have I told you how much I like these dinners together,
kochanie
?”
“I do, too,
Matka
.” She stillwore work clothes, which included high boots, and had thrown on an apron to cook. “When we’re all together, we don’t get to talk much.”
Donuta shook her head at