Page 3 of Book Club Confidential

Tessa watched them stride away, wishing for half their confidence on heels that high.

Hallie gave a soft whistle as she took in the surroundings. “This is incredible. Packed on a Monday night. Nice choice, Kate.”

Kate’s lips pinched into a tiny grin. “Where do you think the boss is?”

“I’m jealous I didn’t pick this place,” Hallie continued, uninterested in the source of their free drink, and pulled a menu onto her lap. “If the food is half as good as the atmosphere, you’ll have to take over as our location selector on a permanent basis.”

Kate stacked and arranged items on the table, then snapped a photo. “Not going to happen,” she told Hallie. “You are the chef and resident foodie. I just wanted to get a look at this place before the Influencers Ball.” She opened a leather-bound menu and removed a sprig of dried flowers from a bud vase, then arranged it on the page. A few adjustments to the votive candle, and she snapped another photo before returning everything to its original position. “I already bought my dress for the ball. Six months ago. I’m relieved to say the look is perfect for the venue. I better get an invite.”

Hallie thumbed through her menu. “Why can’t I work here instead of Roll with It?”

Kate fixed her with narrowed eyes. “I think the better question is, Why don’t you apply?”

“Because I’m destined to retire from a café where every order literally has a roll with it.”

Tessa crossed her legs at the ankles. Hallie would fit in someplace like this far better than she did at the café she’d worked at since college. “Why don’t you apply?” Tessa asked. “You’re an excellent chef with fifteen years of restaurant experience. You’d be an asset anywhere.”

Hallie closed her menu and set it aside. “If they make a decent dirty soda, I’ll call Quinn and quit before the food arrives.”

Tessa highly doubted that. Hallie’s boss, Quinn, was a middle-aged tyrant who liked to subtly harass and berate Hallie when he wasn’t busy kicking puppies. She pulled a novel from her bag and set it on the table. “Have you guys read this?”

Kate cocked her head, reading the cover as she retrieved her e-reader from the clutch at her side. “No. Is it good?”

“Yes.” Tessa nodded. “I know dystopian isn’t your favorite genre, but you have to try it. The heroine begins as a slave and fights her way to freedom, ultimately partnering with a man of influence, who stands with her as she leads a rebellion to free the other women.”

Hallie leaned forward. “A story of women rising to power in a male-dominated world? Wild that it’s packaged as dystopian instead of nightly news.”

“I picked a rom-com,” Kate said, turning the screen of her device to face them. An adorable cartoon-style couple smiled at one another as they walked hand in hand.

“I think I know that one,” Hallie said. “They’re making a movie for Netflix.”

Kate clutched the device to her chest. “I would love that. I wish everyone online wasn’t so obsessed with true crime documentaries right now. I can’t participate in the weekly What Are You Reading Wednesday posts until the trend changes.”

“Or,” Hallie said, “you could try a true crime novel.”

Kate’s expression flattened. “I’m not giving myself nightmares over this.”

Hallie shrugged.

Tessa lifted her chin toward the hardcover Hallie put face down on the table. “What are you reading?”

Hallie grinned. She flipped the book to reveal a glossy black-on-matte-black image of a shirtless man wearing an animal mask with horns. The woman in his clutches appeared bewildered but eager.

Kate grimaced. “I can’t tell if she’s his lover or his prey.”

Hallie sank back in her seat, arms splayed wide. “Both.”

An unexpected laugh burst from Tessa’s lips. “Well, all right then. Maybe I should read that one next.”

“Probably,” Hallie said. “When the fun dries up in reality, fiction will never let you down.”

“So has the fun dried up?” Tessa teased. “Bryce still working late every night?”

Hallie slumped forward. “Yeah. His dad insists the team see him putting in the time. He’ll inherit the company either way, but blatant nepotism is a bad look and terrible for morale.”

Kate closed her e-reader and returned it to her bag. “There’s a fine line in family businesses. Respect is important.”

“I guess,” Hallie said. She turned a pensive expression on Tessa. “Can I ask you something?”