The Casual Rule Read Online Free

stupid.
    “Of course…Ben.”
    He hands a menu sitting on the table in front of him to me. I open the menu and frown. I don’t have a clue where to start, paella, tapas, and everything under the sun on a skewer. There’s too much to select. Ben peeks over his menu, looking amused. “It’s quite a varied menu, isn’t it?”
    “Yes. I’ve never had tapas before. There’s so much to choose from.”
    “Why don’t I order a few different tapas? We can share them. It’s a nice way to sample a little bit of everything. Do you like fish?”
    “Yes. Fish is fine. Thank you,” I answer, relieved.
    Our server returns to the table with a large pitcher of sangria.
    One glass, Julia, I remind myself.
    After a little too much fanfare in pouring two glasses and spooning a few chunks of fruit in our glasses, we finally have our drinks. All of her attention is directed toward Ben and I am, once again, the invisible woman.
    She’s so obvious. Why don’t you pull up a chair and gawk at him while we eat our dinner? Better yet, sit on his lap and feed him?
    “Are you ready to order, sir?” she stammers.
    Whatever happened to ladies first?
    “Yes, we’d like the baby chorizo, cracked Spanish olives, shrimp ajillo, plato de quesos variados and plato de jamón Serrano.”
    I peek over my opened menu and study his face while he orders our meal. He looks so in command and sure of himself. I wish he wasn’t so good looking, I know it’s going to distract the hell out of me.
    “Very good.” She nods, takes our menus and leaves.
    “So Julia, how long have you worked with Vivian?”
    “Two years.”
    “She speaks very highly of you. I was wondering if I was ever going to work with you.”
    “Well, here I am.” I take a sip of the sangria. It doesn’t seem to be packing too much of a punch. I hate when restaurants water down drinks, although I imagine in this case, it’s a good thing. “There are a few points about your book I was hoping to go over with you.”
    “We don’t need to rush. First tell me more about yourself. I only know the little bit Vivian has mentioned.”
    “Uh, I’ve been with Wisteria Hill for two years.”
    “As an assistant editor?”
    “No, I started as a fact checker. Vivian took me under her wing and eventually I became her assistant.”
    “You must be good. Vivian has a reputation for only taking on the best.”
    I try not to blush. I’m determined to keep this professional and not get lost in his gorgeous eyes or those kissable lips. I wonder if his hair is soft. I bet it is. “Vivian surrounds herself with the best team and only takes on authors she feels have true talent. She has great instincts.”
    “What made you choose publishing?”
    “Stories. I love all kinds of stories.” And gossip rags, but I’ll leave that out.
    “What kind of stories do you like?”
    Gossip, gossip and more gossip .
    “Nonfiction, mostly. I like to read about people, learn how they tick. You know, behind the scene accounts of true life events, which is why I was drawn to your book.”
    “This may sound sexist but I did have reservations about a woman editing a book about baseball.”
    Want to know why it may sound sexist? Because it is sexist, you good looking chauvinist pig .  
    I grab my glass of sangria and take a huge gulp. “A good editor knows how to make a story flow. And let me assure you, even we women know a thing or two about baseball, after all baseball is known to have the hottest quarterbacks.”
    His jaw drops.
    “I’m kidding, Ben.”
    “I was about to contact my lawyer to find the get out clause in my contract.” He laughs.
    “I promise we won’t steer you wrong,” I assure him.
    “No, I don’t think you will, Julia. More sangria?”
    “Sure.” I can drink twelve watered down versions of this sangria, besides half the glass is full of fruit.
    Our server brings our dinner to the table. This girl has real skills because she’s placing each small plate on our table while