Free Marked: City of the Damned Book 1 by Everly Drummond

the chef had done, because the next thing
she knew Tasha had elbowed her in the arm.
    “This is my roommate,” Tasha said, a little
too enthusiastically, as she introduced the sexy latecomer now
standing before them.
    “Hmm,” Jaden mumbled around a mouthful of
apple. She wiped her mouth and tuned back in. Smiling politely, she
shook his outstretched hand. “I’m sorry, what was your name?”
    “Michael,” he replied with a smile. “Michael
Cervone. And you are?”
    “I’m Jaden Thorne. Pleased to meet you.”
    “I know that name from somewhere…” After a
moment, he asked, “Aren’t you the head chef at Bianca in Miami
Beach?”
    “Yes, I am,” Jaden admitted, embarrassed
again that Geoff had submitted a press release to the local papers,
which resulted in more than a little fanfare.
    “I ate there last week. That place is
phenomenal. Well done.” Michael pulled out a chair and sat
down.
    Jaden looked at Tasha and noticed the smile
plastered across her friend’s face, making it obvious she was in
awe of the man now sitting with them. And why shouldn’t she be?
Curly golden-blond hair, which seemed lightened by the sun, hung
loosely around his face, and brilliant aqua blue eyes accentuated
his handsome features—not to mention the fact that there seemed to
be a smoking hot body under his suit.
    Jaden’s attention might have been piqued if
she hadn’t already focused on the man at the front of the tent, but
she could certainly give her shy roommate a nudge in the right
direction.
    Jaden dove right in. “So Michael, what do you
do for a living?”
    “I’m a mortgage specialist.”
    “Really?” Jaden gushed. “What a coincidence!
Tasha is a real estate agent.”
    The waiter reappeared with another carefully
constructed salad and placed it in front of Michael. With a polite
bow the server disappeared, only to return a minute later with two
more bottles of wine.
    Jaden was beginning to feel the effect of the
wine she’d already consumed, but even though she was technically
here on business, it was also her birthday. Picking up one of the
new bottles, she poured three glasses, passed one to Michael, and
raised hers in the air. “Here’s to a lovely evening with friends,
old and new.”
    “Cheers!” said Michael and Tasha in unison,
followed by the clinking of glass on glass.
    Jaden sat back in her chair and watched as
Michael and Tasha’s friendly banter turned to flirting. She smiled,
glad Tasha was finally focused on something other than her lack of
sales. The main course—grilled tuna beautifully arranged with
couscous and fresh vegetables—arrived, and Jaden sighed as a hint
of lime and fresh mint danced across her palate with the first
bite. She made a mental note to try to mimic this dish at the
restaurant. Geoff would no doubt be pleased if she showed up for
work on Monday morning with fresh ideas for an amazing entree.
    The occasional note drifted through the air
as musicians took to the stage and tuned their instruments while
the wait staff served dessert: a mango sorbet flower with white
chocolate wafers. People began to mingle as they enjoyed the
sweetness, and within minutes, the lively sounds of Frank Sinatra
filled the tent. By the time the last of the plates were cleared
away, the dance floor had filled.
    Michael stood and came around to where Tasha
sat. Offering her his hand, he asked, “May I have this dance?”
    Tasha looked from Michael to Jaden, and then
back to Michael with a stunned look on her face. “I’d love to, but
it’s Jaden’s birthday.”
    Disappointment and embarrassment flashed
across his face. Jaden couldn’t believe that after spending the
past hour flirting with the guy, Tasha was actually turning him
down.
    “Are you kidding me?” she blurted. “You’d
best be getting out on that dance floor.”
    “It’s your birthday, and I’d feel bad leaving
you alone,” Tasha insisted, but the eager look on her face betrayed
the tone of her voice.
    “Go