Free The Devil Served Desire by Shirley Jump Page B

seems happily married. She said your grandparents had been together forever, too."
    She shrugged. "For some people, it works out."
    "But not for you?"
    Maria had her hand on the door handle. He'd pushed too hard. "Thanks for the ride," she said.
    "Come by the restaurant later and I'll treat you to a glass of wine." He put up a hand to head off her objections. "It's a glass of wine. Not a lifetime commitment."
    She considered him for a moment, then opened the door and stepped out of the car. "Maybe," she said softly before closing the door and crossing the street.
    He watched her go in his mirrors, with the swiveling stride of a woman who had hips and an innate sexuality. Damn. Even the way she walked was a promise.
    Mamma mia . If anticipation were a sin, he was heading straight to hell.

Arnold's Spread-the-Love Mozzarella and Tomato Bruschetta
     
     
    3 loaves ciabatta, plenty for sharing
    1 cup sun-dried tomato paste
    Sliced low-calorie mozzarella, as much as you need for all your chums
    2 teaspoons dried oregano
    3 tablespoons olive oil
    Salt and pepper
     
    Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cut the ciabatta on the diagonal into 12 to 15 slices. Discard the heels. No one needs those party poopers anyway.
    Spread the sun-dried tomato paste on one side of each slice. Arrange the mozzarella slices over the paste. If you want, use cookie cutters to personalize the mozzarella into appropriate animal shapes. Just remember, they'll get all melty in the oven and take on blob shapes. Don't do this with anyone who might be easily heartbroken to see their cat become a mat.
    Dispense hugs to all your chums, then put the toasts on baking sheets. Sprinkle delicately with oregano, salt and pepper if desired, then drizzle with oil. Bake for five minutes. Let the toasts settle a bit, while you chat and shore up your chums in their hour of need.
    Remember, eating together makes for friends in all weather. Hug a Chubby Chum today!

Chapter Nine
     
     
    "Chubby Chum Maria! You came back!" Arnold opened his arms and strode toward Maria, welcoming her into the circle of his embrace.
    He moved so fast, Maria didn't stand a chance.
    "Couldn't make it on your own out there, huh?" asked one of the men standing by the coffee urn. His potbelly extended past his Boston Red Sox T-shirt, giving her a not-so-appetizing peek at flesh and belly button hair beneath the dark blue cotton. "It's a big freakin' world of food, isn't it?"
    "Now, Bert, that's not a very supportive statement," Stephanie said. The group's leader had on a bright pink "I'm proud to be a Chubby Chum!" T-shirt and matching ball cap. She was as perky as usual and zipping around the room, talking as she gave out welcoming air kisses like a human Pez dispenser. "Maria is here because she needs a shoulder, not a wagging finger."
    Arnold stepped back, finally releasing Maria. "I know what animal you are! I figured it out just this second!"
    "And what animal is that?"
    He cupped a hand under his red goatee. "A chinchilla!"
    "A-a—what?"
    "Chinchilla. You know, elegant fur on the outside and a sweet heart on the inside." Arnold drew her close to him again, murmuring something about chinchillas and teddy bears being great cave companions.
    No one had ever described her like that. It didn't sound so bad, come to think of it.
    Sort of.
    "Well, thank you, Arnold," Maria said, extracting herself for a second time, "I think," she added under her breath.
    He beamed. "You're welcome." He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and gave her a quick squeeze. "Now you're part of the Chubby Chum family, for sure."
    "All right group, let's get started." Stephanie clapped her hands together. "We have a lot of calories to atone for."
    The Chubby Chums shuffled into the basement room, each taking a seat in the circle. As soon as they were seated, Stephanie led them in the group's version of the serenity prayer.
    This time, Maria managed to squeak out "the wisdom to check the fat grams before I open my