“I was standing here the whole time.” Tara crossed her arms. “You just didn’t notice because you were too busy ogling Landon Kim—who, by the way, was trying to burn your clothes off with his laser vision.”
Aubrey burst out laughing with an undeniable note of hysteria. His review had nearly destroyed her dream—it still might—but she couldn’t stop lusting after him. There was even a term for it.Sleeping with the enemy.Was it an actual thing?It must happen often for there to be a coined term for it.It was all wrong, but she felt helpless against the attraction.No, I am not helpless against anything.She was off balance because her enemy unexpectedly replaced her devastation with hope. Her wild emotions would settle after she had some time to absorb what happened.
“There won’t be any burning of clothing.” Aubrey heard the wistful longing in her voice and bit her cheek. “We’re here to discuss business.”
“Business? What business? Does it involve lost kittens?”
“What? No.” She squinted, wondering what she’d missed. “What lost kittens?”
“Then why do you look so troubled?”
“Because I slept with a stranger who wrote a restaurant review that took Comfort Zone to the brink of extinction. Now he’s back to help fix things, and I don’t have any better options, so I have to swallow my pride and accept his olive branch.”
“Deep breaths.” Tara put her arm around Aubrey’s shoulders. “So how does he plan to fix things?”
“He wants me to guest star on Aria Santini’s new show. I’ll be ‘well compensated’ enough to continue with the move and the renovations.”
“Holy guacamole. And Aria freaking Santini?”
“I know. Right?” Aubrey pushed her palms into her eyes. A mean headache was gathering behind them.
“You’re really going to do it?” Her friend filled four mugs using expert flicks and taps to create the perfect creamy head.
“I have to do it. You know I have to pay the contractors, and complete the renovations in the next couple of months. Or else I won’t be able to open the shop in time, but I’ll still have to pay the monthly rent per the lease agreement,” Aubrey’s panicked words spilled out of her mouth until she ran out of breath. She shrugged helplessly. “Tara, Comfort Zone will go bankrupt before it reopens its doors. I’d be crazy to say no.”
“If that’s your final decision, then I have your back, but sometimes ‘crazy’ could be the right answer.”
“I don’t know. The last thing I want is another wealthy, egocentric man in my life, but Landon said this was strictly business.”
Tara stared bug-eyed at her, mouth agape. Minutes seemed to pass that way, and Aubrey fidgeted and scratched her neck. She broke under the stare attack. “I doubt I’ll see him around much.”
“You’re my best friend and I love you, so I’m duty bound to smack you on the head if you believe the crap spewing from your mouth.” Aubrey opened said mouth to protest, but Tara held up her palm—to silence her or to smack her, Aubrey didn’t know. “If you’re doing this, I want you to go into it with your eyes wide open.”
“Doing what? Shooting a couple of episodes of a cooking show?”
“Quiet, child. Neither of you will be able to stay away from each other. The sexual tension is visible like a glowing crimson aura.” Tara circled her palms around Aubrey like a fortune teller. “So bythis,I mean having a relationship with Landon Kim.”
Aubrey didn’t have anything dumb left to say, so she askedthe question expected of her. “And what would I see with my wide-open eyes?”
“Fireworks and enough heat to generate electricity.”
“No, please, no. I’m going to rip my clothes off before this is over, aren’t I?” She covered her face with her hands. “No, wait. Do you love me?”
“Hell yeah. I love you like mad. Why do you ask?”
“You have to kill me. If you sense that I’m about to go to the Horny Side, you must kill me. If you love me, then you will do this for me. Sleeping with him again will be the ultimate humiliation, and it could ruin our reputations and careers. It could ruin everythingforever.”
“Shut up and act cool,” Tara whispered. “Darth Sexy approaching.”
“Hello, Tara. It’s good to see you again.” His lips hooked to one side, hinting at his dimple. Aubrey wanted to trace the indentation with her tongue. “But I’m guessing I’m your least favorite customer tonight.”
“Back for more of my spectacular brew?”
“How could I resist?” Landon chuckled, the corners of his eyes crinkling with amusement. The Smile.Please, no. Not the Smile.If Tara had taken her seriously, Aubrey would already have a lightsaber sticking out of her chest.
“May I suggest some of our seasonal specials?” Tara said in an overly courteous voice.Crap.Aubrey recognized the killer gleam in her best friend’s eyes. “Buzz Off is a personal favorite—so sharp and bitter—it might bite you on the way down. The Witch’s Brew is a close second. Don’t be fooled by the smooth, rich porter. The brew is hexed to make unfeeling jerks permanently impotent.”
“I have our beers right here,” Aubrey said in a rush, picking up their mugs. “Let’s go back to our table.”
