The Downstairs Flirt by Loni Ree

Love is on the menu at #1 Love Place

Hazel
Visiting my grandmother, Nonnie Laine, at #1 Love Place is always a sweet escape. The bonus? Her neighbor, Mr. Perpetual Smirk, who always seems to appear whenever I least expect him, armed with a flirty line and dangerous good looks. Totally out of my league, but who am I to refuse a harmless flirt? So imagine my absolute shock when I walk into Nonnie’s for Sunday lunch to find him sitting at her dining table. Suddenly, his playful glances don’t feel quite so innocent, and my heart definitely didn’t get the memo about playing it cool.

Preston
For weeks, she’s been the mystery girl who got away—a flash of a smile, a quick laugh, and then poof, gone before I can even ask for her number. I promised myself the next time I saw her, I wouldn’t let her slip by. I was ready to chase her down the street if I had to.

Turns out, I didn’t have to run far. Nonnie invites me over for lunch, and just as I’m getting comfortable, in walks the girl of my dreams. Hazel. Finally, a name to match the daydream. Fate has clearly set the table, and I’m done playing games. The catch-me-if-you-can phase? Officially over. Now, the wooing begins—just as soon as she stops looking at me like I’m an alien invasion in her grandmother’s kitchen.