All Bottled Up (20 page)

For his part, Bill remained silent until the hostess presented them with their menus.

Bill then laid his best grin on her.

“I have to say, you look stunning. If I’d have known your looks would change this much, I’d have sent you on a trip south long ago.” 186

Did he just insult me?
Viola gave her head a shake and tried to take the comment as a compliment. No, best to ignore it altogether rather than insult her own intelligence.

Viola leaned forward. “So, are you ready to hear all about my trip?”

“Hmm?”

He wasn’t even looking at her. His gaze was firmly fixed on her low neckline and the perfect view she’d just given him of her breasts. Leaning back didn’t seem to break his gaze. Viola had to bend down to look him in the eyes.

“Bill?”

“Sorry.” He straightened, but didn’t look even a little bit apologetic. “What were you saying about your trip?”

She couldn’t help the sigh that escaped her lips.

“I was going to give you an
oral
report. Remember?” That seemed to catch his attention. Bill clapped his hands together loud enough that he managed to be louder than the ruckus from the kitchen. Several people around them turned to see what he was about to do. Viola felt like the assistant to an incompetent magician.

“Right, yes. Tell me about the resort,” Bill said, his eyelids scrunching up as he tried to look serious.

“Good evening.”

Oh no.

Viola looked up at the waiter who’d silently approached and now stood beside them.

Dressed in a crisp, white shirt, black pants, and a green apron tied around his waist, Jerod smiled down at Viola.
I’m going to kill him.

“Good evening to you. My name is J and I’ll be your waiter this evening.” How she held her groan in, Viola didn’t know. Bill, oblivious as ever, had his nose buried in the menu. She waited, holding her breath to see if Bill would recognize Jerod when he looked up. Somehow it didn’t surprise her when he never made eye contact with Jerod. Bill never had much patience for people he felt were beneath him. Why hadn’t she noticed that before?

187

“Would you like to hear tonight’s specials? We have some extra special treats this evening,” he said in a very chipper voice and licked his lips.

Viola glared at him and mouthed the words,
I’m going to kill you
. Jerod winked and blew her a kiss.

“Mind if I order for you, I have some great suggestions,” Bill spoke from behind the menu.

Jerod raised a single eyebrow and glanced over at Viola. He knew she didn’t quite believe him the night at the restaurant in Mexico when he told her Bill would do this.

After the rest of this evening’s conversations, nothing surprised her anymore.

“Sure. Why not?”

“Wouldn’t you like to hear the specials first, sir?” Bill shot Jerod a nasty look, before he laid the menu flat on the table and began pointing to the items.

“To start, I’ll have the clam chowder and fresh bread. The lady will have the garden salad. I’d then like to have a steak, medium rare, with a baked potato and gravy. The lady would like the fettuccini alfredo, hold the scallops. And red wine for both.” Bill snapped the menu shut. Viola did the same with her gaping mouth. Was this the man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with? Option number two—dying an old maid—suddenly had tremendous appeal.

“Very good, sir. I’ll take your order right to the kitchen,” Jerod said in a pleasant enough tone, but he sneered at Bill through his smile. He also didn’t make a move to leave. Jerod looked purposely at Viola and raised a single eyebrow, as if to say,
you’re
going to let him get away with this?

The more she thought about it, the less that Bill’s behavior sat well with her. When did Jerod come to know her so well?

“Actually, I’d like very much to change my order to a rare steak. I’m lactose intolerant and can’t have the cream.”

Jerod tipped his head toward her and winked. “Of course. Two steaks.” Jerod spun on his heel and marched off to the kitchen before Bill had a chance to 188

contradict her. Viola watched him walk away, her eyes drawn to the tight curve of his ass.
Damn, he needed to wear those pants more often.

“I didn’t know you couldn’t eat dairy,” Bill said, his face screwed up in a frown that made him look like a prune.

When she looked at him, she realized that in the last few hours Bill had lost some of his shine. Whether it was because she was seeing him for the first time or because she really had changed on some fundamental level over the past seven days, she wasn’t sure.

“Pills.” Bill snapped his fingers. “You’ll need to take some of those lactose pills. After supper, I’ll take you to the pharmacy and show you what you should be buying. That way you’ll always know.”

Then again, the idea of even attempting to change someone like Bill wasn’t that appealing. Especially after she’d spent so much time with Jerod. She peeked over Bill’s shoulder, hoping to catch a glimpse of her wayward genie. What she saw gave her a jolt.

Jerod was leaning back against the counter, talking to the hostess. Well, he was talking. She was attempting to show him her breasts by leaning over the podium that stood by the door. She even went so far as to reach out and touch his chest. Okay, she was probably picking a piece of food off his shirt. But still!

What the hell is he trying to pull?
Popping in and out of her conversations with Bill, trying to confuse her, only to turn around and flirt with some girl who didn’t even know who he really was?

Viola turned her attention back to Bill, who was happily chatting about something regarding a business venture he planned on exploring. Jerod was a fantasy. Bill, despite his annoying faults, was real. The same couldn’t be said for Jerod. He would either poof away, or run away at the first opportunity. And if he didn’t run after she set him free, he damn well better consider it after his little performance tonight.

When she finally saw Jerod approach them again, this time with their wine glasses balanced on his tray, Viola couldn’t help but show him who the mistress was in their relationship. She quickly switched chairs so that she now sat beside Bill instead of across the table from him. He paused only long enough to stare at her legs which she no longer 189

had hidden under the table. She re-crossed them, to ensure his eyes weren’t going anywhere. As soon as Jerod was in earshot, she laughed.

“That is hilarious, Bill. I didn’t know you were so funny. Oh look, our wine.” The scowl on Jerod’s face was worth the price of having Bill ogle her. Jerod didn’t say anything, only set the wine glasses down a little too hard before he marched away from the table.

“He won’t be getting a tip from me,” Bill announced, shaking his head. “I’ll have to talk to Matt about training his staff better.”

“Don’t be too harsh on him. He may be having an off night.” And if he wasn’t, Viola wanted to make damn sure he was before she left here.

Damn genie.

“That’s your problem, Viola. You’re too forgiving of other people’s faults. Always making excuses for other’s poor performance. You’ll never survive in the business world with that kind of attitude. You need to be tough.” He drove his fist into his open palm.

She knew she wasn’t perfect, but she’d never been told that being nice to others was a fault. Maybe she
was
in the wrong business if that’s what people thought of her.

“Speaking of business…” she needed to get this conversation back on track and quickly, “…would you like to talk about the vacation resort I stayed at?

“Where?”

Through the use of some otherworldly strength, she managed to not roll her eyes.

“The resort in Cozumel. Remember, I was going to give you a run down?”

“Oh, yeah.” He leaned in and lowered his voice. “How was it?” She was about to tell him about the residents of the resort and the donation Beth had made, when two things happened almost simultaneously. Bill put his hand on her knee, and Jerod cleared his throat loudly.

“Your appetizers have arrived.”

He set Bill’s chowder down with a clunk on the table, sending a small portion of the liquid sloshing over the side. He wasn’t very gentle with her salad either.

“Fresh pepper?”

190

The evil grin on Jerod’s face sent a chill through Viola. If she didn’t know better, based on the look on his face, she’d be concerned for Bill’s health. As it was, she was concerned for herself. Jerod cranked the long wooden peppermill over her salad, looking very much like he was wringing someone’s neck. Jerod then turned quickly to Bill and the end of the pepper mill caught Bill’s water glass, sending the entire contents squarely into his lap.

Bill jumped up with a high-pitched squeal, frantically brushing the ice cubes off his now-wet crotch.

“Oh, terribly sorry about that. Cold?” Jerod asked innocently.

Bill’s entire face turned red. “You stupid sonofabitch. I’ll have your job for this.”

“That’s fine, sir. I won’t need it after tonight,” he said with a shrug.

Viola jumped up and tried to dry Bill’s shirt and legs with the damp napkin. “It was an accident, Bill. Try to relax.”

When she realized she was close to touching his groin, she quickly handed him the napkin and took a step back.

“Don’t tell me to fucking relax,” Bill snapped.

Viola’s mouth dropped open.

“I’m going to the men’s room to dry off and then directly to the manager. I expect a different waiter for the rest of my meal and this entire experience better be free.” Bill stormed off, dripping water as he walked.

Viola turned very slowly to face Jerod. The arrogant genie was standing there with his arms crossed, looking very pleased with himself.

“There. I cooled him off for you.”

“Are you trying to ruin my life?” she said with a calm voice she didn’t entirely feel.

Jerod faced her and smirked. People all around them were looking, not even attempting to hide the fact they were listening to them.

“I did you a favor. He was getting physical with you.” She took a step closer. “Considering what we spent an entire week preparing for, did you ever stop to think, for even a single moment, that maybe I
wanted
him to get physical 191

with me?”

He snorted. “He’s not man enough for you.”

Why would he do this to her? He knew all along what she intended to do once she returned home. This was her wish, and now he was trying to sabotage it. It didn’t make sense. It was almost like he was jealous. No, he wouldn’t be. Best not to even
think
about that possibility.

Viola walked forward and made sure she was right in his face.

“And I would love to know your opinion on who
is
man enough for me?” He didn’t move, didn’t speak. He simply stared at her. His eyes seemed to darken, the pupils widening enough to almost completely swallow the crystal blue. Viola’s heart began to pound, but she didn’t back down. She watched him swallow, his gaze roaming her face as if he were memorizing every detail.

There was a commotion at the front of the restaurant that drew everyone’s attention away from their staring match. Somewhere, her mind registered that it was Bill who was causing the scene. Probably getting Jerod fired from his first shift.

“You deserve better than
him
.” Jerod motioned toward Bill with his chin.

“What if I can’t find better than
him
? Did you stop to consider that for even one second?”

He closed his eyes for a moment and swallowed hard. When he opened them once more, he took a half step to her and whispered, “You’ll always find someone better.” And she had—he just couldn’t stay with her.

She couldn’t handle this anymore. She grabbed her coat and slipped it over her shoulders.

“I’m going home.”

She turned to leave and ran right into Bill, who grabbed her by the shoulders.

“Viola, you can sit down. Our waiter is going to be working in the kitchen for the rest of his shift. Washing dishes,” he said with enough venom to warrant a trip to the doctor.

“I’d like to go home, actually. I’m very tired and need to lie down.” 192

He squeezed her shoulders a little too tightly. “I think you’re being a bit extreme.

The man will be fired after his shift. Our steaks will be free. Besides, what else do you have going on this evening?”

It only took two steps back to break from his grasp, and sidestep his body.

“Goodnight, Bill.”

“You’re making a big mistake.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Viola,” he whined, sounding very much like a child.

She didn’t wait around to hear any more. She walked out of the restaurant with her shoulders back and head held high. As she left, she could have sworn she heard the light pattering of applause behind her as she did.

Fifteen dollars. That’s how much the cab ride back to the office cost her so she could get her car to drive home. And it was worth every blessed penny. Sticking her key in the door alerted William that she was home, sending him into a torrent of barks. She barely had the door open a crack and he’d pushed his small, wet nose through the door to sniff at her.