Kissing Cousins Read online

  “And a stwabewwy nose!” the little girl added as her father lifted her onto the booster seat Poppy had put on one chair.

  “He’s a fun cook, isn’t he?” Poppy said. She smiled, thinking of the way Swaggart always asked if the pancake orders were for children or adults.

  “He’s vewy fun!” the little girl said.

  Poppy hoped Swaggart’s reportedly less-than-perfect mood wouldn’t diminish his thoughtfulness today.

  But twenty minutes later, when Poppy picked the children’s plates up at the order counter, she smiled when she saw the snowmen pancakes with blueberry eyes, shredded bacon hair and raisin buttons running over their round middle-pancake bellies. She couldn’t help smiling at Swaggart as he looked up for a moment and saw her smiling at him.

  “Good enough?” he asked.

  “Perfect,” she said. “They’ll love it. I’ll be back for the burgers.”

  He nodded and returned his attention to whatever he was cooking.

  *

  The afternoon seemed to fly by, and soon the sun had set and night had descended. Monday nights weren’t usually as busy as other nights, and it gave the staff of Good Ol’ Days a little reprieve.

  All afternoon Poppy’s thoughts had lingered on two subjects—Swaggart’s breakup with Jennifer and Mark Lawson’s three dozen roses.

  She was simply elated Swaggart had finally come to his senses and dumped Jennifer. She was so shallow, so empty, so selfish, and entirely self-absorbed. It was obvious she didn’t appreciate Swaggart either. Oh, she appreciated his good looks—enjoyed having a trophy-boy boyfriend—but Poppy doubted Jennifer ever knew what she really had her hands on. And thank heaven! What if she had realized what a prize Swaggart was? Swaggart might not have wised-up quite as fast.

  Then there were Mark Lawson’s roses. The words on the florist’s card kept playing in her mind over and over and over. I look forward to making amends as soon as possible. Hoping to Be Yours, Mark Lawson.

  “Hoping to be yours,” Poppy repeated as she washed her hands in the alcove sink. Her heart did a little flutter. It sounded so romantically wonderful!

  “Poppy,” Josh said as he passed the alcove. “Whitney just had Brittany sit two guys at table two and wants you to get ’em.”

  “Okay. Thanks, Josh,” she said.

  She dried her hands and retrieved her order tablet from her apron pocket as she headed for table two.

  As she approached, her steps slowed, however, for she was certain she recognized the broad shoulders and dark hair of the person sitting with his back to her. It was him! She was sure of it! Mark Lawson! He’d come back! Her heart fluttered, and she couldn’t stop the smile rapidly widening across her face.

  “Good evening, gentleman,” Poppy greeted Mark Lawson and his male dinner companion. “Welcome to Good Ol’ Days. I’m Poppy and—”

  “…and you’ll be our server?” his friend said, smiling and winking at her.

  “Exactly,” she said.

  “Hi, there,” Mark said as she smiled at him. “Remember me?”

  “Of course,” Poppy said. “And thank you so much for the roses, Mr. Lawson.”

  “Call me Mark,” Mark Lawson said, flashing a stunning smile.

  “Okay,” Poppy said, blushing to the very tips of her toes.

  “And call me anytime,” Mark’s companion flirted.

  “Hey, man—get your own girls,” Mark chuckled.

  “I’m Braden,” Mark’s friend said.

  “Nice to meet you,” Poppy said, shaking the hand he offered in greeting.

  “Oh, I know all about you,” Braden said.

  Again, Poppy felt her cheeks burn crimson.

  “Did you like the flowers?” Mark asked.

  “They’re beautiful! Thank you so much!” Poppy said, placing a hand to her bosom. “I can’t believe you would worry about it. We have rotten customers all the time, and that woman…well, she’s just part of my job.”

  “She was an idiot,” Mark said. “And I am truly sorry you had to deal with her. I hope the flowers softened the blow a bit.”

  Instantly, Poppy thought of Swaggart’s having to deal with it as well. Mark had no idea the ill feelings the woman had caused—how far-reaching her asinine behavior was. It made the fact he’d sent roses all the more wonderful.

  “You have no idea,” she told him.

  “Good,” he said, picking up his menu. “Then when I’ve finished my meal and ask you out—I hope you’ll say yes.”

  Poppy thought she might burst with delight! He was going to ask her out? It was too dreamy.

  “I’m sure I will,” she said.

  “Finally! Because I’m starving,” Braden said, opening his menu. “Now…what’s good here?”

  “Everything,” Poppy said. Her cheeks were on fire with delight and anticipation. She wanted the meal to be over right that very moment—wanted Mark Lawson to ask her out that instant!

  “Wow! That’s a pretty serious promise,” Braden said.

  “I’m sure if she says everything’s good, then everything is,” Mark said. “What do you suggest, Poppy?”

  The sound of his deep, smooth voice uttering her name nearly melted her knees.

  “Well, it depends on what you’re in the mood for,” she said. “Or if you’re up for a little adventure…” she said, smiling at Braden.

  “I’m always up for adventure,” Braden said, closing his menu and looking at Poppy expectantly.

  “Then you could go for the Chef’s Choice,” she said.

  “What’s that? Like the special of the day?” Mark asked.

  “No…it’s exactly what it says it is,” Poppy explained, blushing as he winked at her. “I ask you your meat preference—you know, beef, chicken, pork, or fish—then I find out if there are any vegetables you simply cannot eat…then I give the information to the cook, and he comes up with a meal for you.”

  “Mmm! I’m intrigued,” Mark said, still smiling at her.

  “The price varies, however,” Poppy said.

  “What’s the high end?” Braden asked.

  “Twenty-five dollars a plate,” Poppy said.

  “That’s what I want,” Braden said, handing his menu to Poppy.

  “Me too,” Mark said. “If that filet mignon was any indication of what the guy can do…I’m up for it.”

  “Okay, then,” Poppy said. “First of all, what can I get you gentlemen to drink?”

  “Water with lemon,” Braden said.

  “Same,” Mark said.

  “Okay. Any appetizers?”

  “I don’t think so. We’ll just wait for the meal,” Mark answered.

  “Then we’ll begin with you, sir,” Poppy said turning to Braden.

  “Why? Do you think I’m the girl?” Braden asked her, a teasing smile playing at his lips.

  “Well, she sure doesn’t think I’m the girl,” Mark chuckled. “He’s just giving you a hard time, Poppy.”

  Poppy giggled. Both men were charming and possessed senses of humor.

  “Okay, one more time then…” she began again. “Your meat choice?”

  “Fish,” Braden said. “Let’s give this guy a challenge.”

  “Very well,” Poppy said, jotting Braden’s choice on her tablet. She smiled. Fish was difficult, but Swaggart had mastered it long ago.

  “Any vegetables you may find unpalatable?” she asked.

  “Nope. I eat anything,” Braden said.

  “And for you, sir?” she asked, turning her attention to Mark.

  The moment he looked at her, she felt the hot blush warming her cheeks. He was so handsome! Furthermore, she could’ve sworn his eyes were twinkling as he looked at her.

  “Beef…uh…medium-well,” Mark said. “And I like any vegetable too.”

  “Okay,” Poppy said. “I’ll get your orders started and bring your water.”

  She started to leave, but Mark Lawson reached out and took hold of her hand. Instantly, her arms broke into goose bumps, and her
heart fluttered.

  “Can I just ask you out now?” he said. “I don’t want to wait until later.”

  “S-sure,” Poppy said. She bit her lip as he smiled at her.

  “When’s your next night off?” he asked.

  “This Thursday,” Poppy said.

  “If you’re not busy…can you pencil me in?” he asked. Again he flashed his stunning smile.

  “You bet!” Poppy said.

  “Great!” Mark said, still smiling—still holding her hand. “I’ll need your number so I can call you to find out where to pick you up.”

  “Okay,” Poppy said. Once he’d released her hand, she tore a corner off the current page of her order tablet and wrote her number on it.

  She handed it to him, smiling when he said, “Thanks.”

  “I’ll be right back with your drinks,” she said.

  Poppy wasn’t certain her feet were even touching the ground as she headed to the order counter. “Two Chef’s Choices,” she said as she tore the page from her order tablet and clipped it on the order line. “One fish, one medium-well beef, and any veggies with both.”

  Swaggart looked up, and Poppy’s heart nearly stopped as his eyes met hers. Sometimes she could swear his eyes were simply little pools of maple syrup. Her stomach did a little loop as he smiled at her.

  “I hear your new man is here tonight,” he said, winking at her.

  “Yeah. He’s at table two with a friend. They both ordered the Chef’s Choice,” she said.

  Swaggart’s eyebrows arched as he said, “Well, then I better make it good, huh?”

  “You better!” Poppy teased.

  “Did he ask for your number yet?” Swaggart asked.

  “He did,” Poppy admitted, ignoring the strange twinge of regret in her bosom. “We’re going out Thursday night.”

  Again Swaggart’s eyebrows arched. “Nice. And it only took a truckload of roses to convince you?”

  “It only took one look at him the first night he was here,” Poppy said.

  Swaggart chuckled. “Well, good for you, baby. You go get your boy. I’ll make sure he won’t forget the meal you serve him tonight.”

  “Thanks, Swaggart,” Poppy said as she stared at him. Just once—she would’ve liked to have gone out with Swaggart Moretti just once. Just once she would like to have…

  “Don’t thank me yet,” he said. “I’ll get nervous and mess up their orders.”

  “Order up,” Bobby said, sliding two plates onto the counter. “It’s your table five order, Poppy.”

  “Thanks, Bobby,” Poppy said as she took one plate in each hand and headed for table five.

  “Did that salmon get here today, Bobby?” Swaggart asked.

  “Oooo! So you’re pulling out the big guns for Poppy’s new man, huh?” Bobby asked.

  “If it helps her get what she wants,” Swaggart said.

  He shook his head as he thought of the train car of roses the guy had sent to Poppy the day before. He would have to get a look at the guy before he left. He’d make the guy a meal he’d never forget and then visit the table himself—and he better be legit.

  Swaggart felt overheated. The muscles in his shoulders and back tightened.

  “Here she comes,” Braden said.

  “She’s cute, huh?” Mark asked. Since the night he’d had to endure Miss Susan Reginald’s company at dinner, Mark hadn’t been able to get the waitress from Good Ol’ Days out of his mind! She had entirely bewitched him, and not just because Susan had treated her so badly. She was enchanting, interesting, too adorable, and Mark had decided the minute he’d met her that he had to get to know her.

  “Cute?” Braden whispered. “Dude? Are you kidding? She’s hot!”

  “I know,” Mark said as he watched Poppy walking toward them. She had an ice water with lemon in each hand and was smiling at him. She was adorable!

  Poppy bit her lip as Mark Lawson winked at her. Setting his glass of water down on the coaster in front of him, she smiled.

  “Here you are, gentlemen,” she said, setting Braden’s water down as well.

  “I’ve given the chef your order. Is there anything else I can get for you?” she asked.

  “Well, not in conjunction with the meal,” Mark said.

  Poppy giggled and blushed.

  “Then I’ll bring your plates out as soon as they’re ready,” Poppy said.

  Reluctantly, she turned her attention to the table behind Mark’s.

  He was so handsome! Poppy noticed the way that every woman in the restaurant kept trying to catch a glimpse of him. She had to keep busy! She had five other tables she was waiting on, and she had to be attentive to everyone. Glancing at the clock, she silently told herself Swaggart would have Mark’s order up within 20 minutes. If she could just make it 20 more minutes, she could be with him again—even if it was only briefly.

  *

  Sure enough, 19 minutes later, Swaggart smiled at her over the order counter as he slid two plates onto it.

  Poppy gasped as she saw the two meals Swaggart had prepared. “Oh my heck, Swaggart! Your salmon?” she exclaimed. “And prime rib?” Poppy looked to Swaggart, her stomach doing the usual loop-the-loop as he winked at her.

  “Gotta make your boy happy, don’t I?”

  “Thank you, Swaggart,” she said, feeling somehow greatly humbled. He’d done it for her—prepared two fabulous meals because he knew it was important to her.

  He looked down, continuing to prepare other food as he said, “The salmon is grilled with unsalted butter, lemon, and topped with sautéed spinach and red onion—served with lemon wedges, steamed asparagus, and mixed vegetable ribbons.” It was his habit to explain any Chef’s Choice dish to the server so the information could be passed to the customer.

  Poppy nodded, astounded by not only the meal but by the presentation. The salmon was grilled to a perfection—color and otherwise—and the yellows, greens, and reds of the lemons and different vegetables were arranged on the plate in Swaggart’s signature manner.

  “Okay,” Poppy said.

  “The prime rib is medium-well, with horseradish and au jus, mushrooms sautéed in butter, mixed vegetable ribbons, and minced garlic with cream mashed potatoes. The burgers for table three will be up in a minute,” he said.

  Poppy was stunned for a moment. How could Swaggart serve up a salmon and a prime rib in one motion and a plain hamburger in the next?

  “Th-thanks,” she stammered as she lifted the plates and turned to head toward table two and Mark “Gorgeous Man” Lawson.

  “The salmon is grilled with unsalted butter and lemon and topped with sautéed spinach and red onion. Served with lemon wedges, steamed asparagus, and vegetable ribbons—I’m sure you’ll love it,” Poppy told Braden as she set the plate on the table before him. She smiled, feeling triumphant as his mouth dropped open in astonishment.

  “All this time I thought this was a burger joint,” he said.

  Poppy sat Mark’s plate on the table before him, twisting it until the prime rib was to his left.

  “The prime rib is medium-well—per your request—with horseradish and au jus, butter-sautéed mushrooms, vegetable ribbons, and minced garlic and cream mashed potatoes,” she explained.

  “Prime rib?” Mark exclaimed. “What? Do you have an in with the cook or something?”

  “No, not really,” Poppy said. As the two men sat staring at their food in astonishment, Poppy asked, “Is there anything else I can get for you, gentlemen?”

  “Order up!” her trained ears heard Bobby call.

  “Um…I don’t think so,” Mark said, still staring wide-eyed at his prime rib.

  “Very well,” Poppy said. “I’ll be back to check on you in a few minutes.”

  “I hope so,” Mark said, smiling at her.

  Poppy smiled, biting her lip with barely restrained delight as she walked back to the order counter.

  “Well?” Swaggart asked as Poppy smiled at him over the counter.

  “You f
orgot the broccoli on that one, Bobby,” Poppy said as she looked at the steak and shrimp ordered up for one of her customers at table four. She smiled at Swaggart then and said, “They were both absolutely blown away of course, chef,” she said.

  “Well, there you go,” Swaggart said with a smile and a nod.

  “Thanks again,” she said as she watched Bobby add a side of broccoli to one of the plates.

  “You owe me,” he said. He wiped his hands on the front of his apron and picked up a large knife, twirling it in his palm before using it on whatever was behind the counter that Poppy couldn’t see.

  “Admittedly,” she giggled as she picked up the two plates for table four and left.

  *

  “So, I’ll call you Wednesday night to get directions to your place,” Mark said as he signed his credit card slip.

  “Okay,” Poppy said.

  “I’m trippin’ to the men’s room, man,” Braden said. “You tell your cook that was the best salmon I’ve ever had in my life! And I’m from Seattle!”

  Poppy smiled, delighted with Braden’s compliment to Swaggart and by the fact he’d left her alone with Mark.

  “I’m already completely smitten with you, you know,” Mark said.

  “What?” Poppy asked, blushing to the very tips of her toes. She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked at him. “Smitten? No one says smitten.”

  As Ella Fitzgerald sang “Misty” over the restaurant sound system, Poppy’s arms were suddenly covered in goose bumps as Mark reached out, taking hold of her hand.

  Caressing the back of her hand with his thumb, he said, “Smitten. And I mean it. I’m not going to sleep a minute until I can see you on Thursday.”

  “I think you might be what my grandma calls ‘a charmer,’ Mr. Lawson,” Poppy said.

  “I’m only being honest,” he said, smiling at her.

  “Did you enjoy your meal?” Poppy asked.

  “Are you kidding? Prime rib? And by the way, it was the best I’ve ever had,” he answered.

  “I’ll be sure and tell the chef,” Poppy said, biting her lip as the cocoa of his eyes studied hers.

  “Good evening, sir,” Swaggart said, suddenly appearing beside Poppy. “Was the meal to your satisfaction?”

  Poppy was uncomfortable, shy somehow about the way Mark continued to hold her hand. Yet, she was oddly thrilled by his lack of discomfort and timidity about it.