Free The Bad Boy Next Door: A Red Hot Bad Boy Romance by Lacey Legend Page B

large sum of money, he was of course going to want to meet the little girl.
    “Do you want to have dinner at Ruby’s tonight? She offered to make a big meal for all of us to share.”
    “Um,” Genie started, tucking her blond hair behind her ear. “I’d rather not, if that’s okay? I kind of wanted to just catch up with you.”
    Isaac nodded. “Okay. I’ll call her and let her know we have other plans. Take a look through the restaurant app on my laptop and see where you want to go for dinner.”
    ***
    Ruby wondered what Isaac and Genie were up to. She decided to call her BFF and ask for advice.
    “Oh my,” Julia said in surprise. “I wouldn’t let that gold digger anywhere near Isaac, dearest.”
    “I know, I know. But it’s not really up to me. If the little girl really is Isaac’s daughter, then I have no right to say whether Genie can be in his life or not.”
    Julia sighed at the other end. “I know. Shame though, isn’t it? I wonder if we could do some digging into this Genie Randles’ background somehow; without ruffling anybody’s feathers.”
    “I don’t know anything about her. Just her name and that she is from St. Louis but left soon after she and Isaac broke up. She moved back to St. Louis recently and works at a diner and a call center.”
    “Well, that’s something. I’ll do some digging and see what I can find out. In the meantime, I would find a way to spend as much time with those two as possible just in case she lets anything slip.”
    “Thanks, Julia,” Ruby said before hanging up. “You’ve been a big help. We’re having brunch tomorrow. I’ll call you in the afternoon and let you know how it goes.”
    “Do that.”
    The two hung up and Ruby made a cup of valerian root tea to help her sleep. She had talked to Isaac and found out that he and Genie were going to a restaurant for dinner. That’s when they made plans to do brunch instead the next morning. They were going to meet at La Vie en Crepe, an American diner that served breakfast cuisine from around the world. They were only open until one and reservations were strongly recommended. Ruby set her alarm for a morning run and shower before the three of them carpooled to the La Vie en Crepe. Ruby had misgivings about Genie Randles, but couldn’t give voice to them yet.

Chapter9
     
    At La Vie en Crepe the next morning Genie, Isaac, and Ruby were shown to a table next to a large picture window overlooking a rock garden. The waitress handed out elegant menus, printed on parchment paper and encased in small, leather binders with the name of the restaurant embossed on the front in silver. Genie looked at the prices and gave a whistle.
    “This is almost as expensive as the place you took me last night,” she commented with a sideways glance at Ruby.
    Isaac gave her a half-smile as he looked over the breakfast offerings. “This place got great ratings on Zagat’s.”
    “Where did you end up going last night for dinner?” Ruby asked him.
    “Imane,” Genie said, licking her lips and raising her eyebrows.
    “You like Moroccan food, too?” Ruby asked, keeping her face devoid of any expression.
    Genie shrugged in response. “It’s not my favorite, but I like upscale dining for sure.”
    Ruby watched Isaac roll his eyes. “Isn’t she adorable?” he asked.
    “What are you thinking about getting?” Ruby asked him, ignoring his quip.
    “The apple cinnamon crepes with bacon,” Isaac responded. “With orange juice.”
    The waitress came over and took their orders. Isaac placed his order, and then Ruby ordered the strawberry vanilla cheesecake crepes. Genie ran her finger down the menu and ordered the cognac du jour with creme brulee. Ruby cast a quick glance at the menu and noticed that the cognac du jour crepes were the most expensive item on the menu. The waitress smiled and walked away to put in their orders.
    “So, when do you think we can meet Regina?” Isaac asked.
    “I’ll call the babysitter this afternoon