"Roberts, Nora - Stanislaski 05 - Waiting For Nick" - читать интересную книгу автора (Roberts Nora)

Freddie's longtime dream had been to forge another loop in that family
chain, linking her and Nick.

She took a deep breath, tugged on her blazer again, ran her hands over
the reddish-gold mop of curls she could never quite tame and wished
once, hopelessly, that she had just a dash of the Stanislaskis' exotic
good looks. Then she reached for the door.

She'd make do with what she had, and make damned sure it was enough.

The air in Lower the Boom carried the yeasty scent of beer, overlaid
with the rich, spicy scent of marinara. Freddie decided that Rio, Zack's
longtime cook, must have a pasta special going. On the juke, Dion was
warning his fellow man about the fickle heart of Runaround Sue.

Everything was there, everything in place, the cozy paneled walls, the
seafaring motif of brass bells and nautical gear, the long, scarred bar
and the gleaming glassware. But no Nick. Still, she smiled as she walked
to the bar and slid onto a padded stool.

"Buy me a drink, sailor?"

Distracted, Zack glanced up from drawing a draft. His easy smile widened
instantly into a grin. "Freddie--hey! I didn't think you were coming in
until the end of the week."

"I like surprises."

"I like this kind." Expertly Zack slid the mug of beer down the bar so
that it braked between the waiting hands of his patron. Then he leaned
over, caught Freddie's face in both of his big hands and gave her a
loud, smacking kiss. "Pretty as ever."

"You, too."

And he was, she thought. In the ten years since she'd met him, he'd only
improved, like good whiskey, with age. The dark hair was still thick and
curling, and the deep blue eyes were magnetic. And his face, she thought
with a sigh. Tanned, tough, with laugh lines only enhancing its
character and charm.

More than once in her life, Freddie had wondered how it was that she was
surrounded by physically stunning people. "How's Rachel?"

"Her Honor is terrific."

Freddie's lips curved at the use of the title, and the affection behind
it. Zack's wife--her aunt--was now a criminal court judge. "We're all so
proud of her. Did you see the trick gavel Mama sent her? The one that