Page 55 of Perfect Three

Chapter Twenty-Three

By now they’d reachedthe lane-way near the complex.Lucy watched as Jack hit a button on his remote and the wide doors opened.He drove the car in then led Lucy through the storage area and out through a side door into the kitchen of the restaurant.

Brad caught sight of her.“Lucy!Hey, you’re back!”

“Hi, Brad.”

“You eating here tonight, Jack?”

“Yeah, just off to find Seb and see what’s happening.”

“Got a lovely slow-cooked chicken tonight.I can recommend it.”

“Okay.”

Brad cocked his head and grinned at Lucy.“So, Lucy, how on earth did you let this maniac talk you into coming back?”

“Hey, Brad, I’m a smooth talker.”

“That you are, my friend.Still, I think it was the chance to taste my food again that drew her back,” he teased.“Talk to you later, Lucy.Better look as if I’m busy in front of one of the bosses.”

Lucy laughed as Jack took her out through the restaurant and then sat her at one of the outside tables that was free.It was close to the spit and the wood-fired oven.

“I’ll grab you a coffee then try to find where Seb is and what’s happening.”He leaned over and kissed her before she had a chance to answer, then walked off toward the club entrance.

Lucy gazed around.The place was getting crowded.There were several families, and she noticed a play area fenced off between the trees she hadn’t before.The sound of giggling and happy children wasn’t too loud, but it was pleasant to hear.The aroma of baking bread was mouth-watering.Turning her head toward the smell, she noticed some cooking in the nearby oven.A few minutes later, a tall, thin man approached her with a latte in hand.

“Hi.Jack sent this over.He and Sebastian are just talking with Walt.My name’s Graham.”

“Oh, thank you, Graham.You didn’t have to bring this out.I could have waited or gotten it myself.”

“It’s okay.I was on my way back into the restaurant so it was no trouble.The bosses won’t be too long.”

“Well, thanks again.I appreciate it.”

Graham nodded and walked through the big restaurant doors.There was no sugar on the table, but Lucy took a sip and discovered her latte was already sweetened.Jack obviously remembered.

About ten minutes later, the two men walked over to her table.

Sebastian leaned in to kiss her lightly then sat down.Jack followed suit.

“Hi, Lucy.Sorry about this.Been crazy, but I hope everything’s sorted now.”

---