Design for Love ((Women of Landry's Landing and The Fabrizio men) (2 page)

“
Oh no, the hell he didn’t, girl do you want me to go out there and hit him in the head with one of my iron skillets?” Asia asked as she reached for her heaviest skillet.

“
No, that won’t help anything, but of course, it would be nice to see him laid out on the floor. No, no, you’d better not.” London said as she considered her offer.

“
Are you sure because girl you just say the word, and I’ll go out there and knock his dumb ass out with this skillet.” Asia said with a frown.

“
I have a better idea you know those two cute construction workers that eat here every night?” London asked.

“
You mean the ones that are always flirting with you?” Asia asked.

“
Yep, one of them is still out there I think I’ll have a little fun of my own he wants to play games well game on butthead.” London said with a smirk as she headed back out to the dining room. She stopped by the table where the construction worker was sitting.

“
Hey, would you like for me to bring you some dessert?” She asked him as she leaned in slightly.

“
You can if you’ll share it with me?” He said with a smile as he gazed up at her.

“
I will if you can wait until I’m done filling in this shift for Asia.” She said smiling down at him.

“
For you London I’d wait as long as you’d like me to.” The man said smiling sweetly.

“
Okay, then I’ll be done in just a few minutes I have one more table to take care of. Uh, what was your name again?” London asked.

“
It’s Justin and I’ll be right here when you’re done.” He said.

London smiled as she walked off and back towards Gabe’s table who’d been watching her the entire time as she flirted with Justin.

“
So have you guys decided what you’d like to order?” London asked with a smile as Gabe narrowed his gaze at her.

“
I’ll have one of the house specials it doesn’t matter which one they’re all good so pick one for me.” Gabe said looking up at her.

“
Well can you recommend something that has no calories, but at the same time is filling?” Barbara asked.

London and Gabe both gazed at her with a dumb founded expression. London arched an eyebrow at the woman who seemed to be more of a bimbo then she’d first thought.

“
So, let me get this straight you want me to bring you something that’s filling with no calories?” London asked.

“
Yes thank you, it’s so hard to keep this figure I have to be careful what I eat. Do you know what I mean?” Barbara said with a smile.

“
Oh, I think I know what you mean sweetie, it can’t be easy keeping a figure that resembles a mop handle.” London said as she glanced at Gabe and shook her head in disbelief at him for bringing this air head here.

“
Okay, so that’s one special for Gabe and a glass of water for Barbie. I’ll be back shortly.” London said as she turned to walk away.

“
That’s Barbara.” The woman said.

“
Of course it is, sorry.” London said over her shoulder as she made her way to the kitchen.

When she walked in Asia looked up at her. “So how is it going?” She asked.

“
Oh it’s just great, Gabe is an idiot, and his date is an air head."” She said with a slight smile.

“
What did they do?” Asia asked placing a hand on her shapely hip.

“
Well for starters Gabe said for me to bring him anything because he likes everything on the menu. And that bubble head date of his asked me to bring her something filling with no calories.”

“
What in the hell, does she think this is some tofu bar or something? So what are we supposed to serve that self-proclaimed health nut?” Asia asked London with a deep-set frown on her face.

“
Girl, I told Barbie that I’d bring her a glass of water.” London replied with a grin.

“
Barbie, who in the hell names their kid Barbie?”Asia asked not expecting an answer as she laughed about this whole mess.

While they were both laughing, the rest of the family came in through the backdoor of the kitchen.

“
Don’t tell me we’re missing all the fun, what’s so funny you two?” Indy asked as she sat her very pregnant self down at the prep counter.

“
Yeah if the two of you were having a party you could have called us.” Gigi said taking a seat beside Indy as she held little Dante in her arms.

“
We were just talking about Gabe’s date.” Asia said with a frown.

“
His what?” They all yelled in unison including his three brothers, who'd also just arrived.

“
Ya’ll heard Asia, she said Gabe’s date, he’s out there in the dining room right now with Becky.” London said with irritation.

“
Becky, I thought you said her name was Barbie?” Asia asked in confusion.

“
Who cares what the hell her name is? What I want to know is what the hell Gabe was thinking to bring her here?” Gigi said.

“
I don’t know but how about we go out there and ask him.” Indy said as she stood.

“
Oh no you don’t gattino. You aren’t supposed to get upset, and you know it.” Gio said as he took his wife by the arm gently.

“
Who’s upset? I’m not upset. I may be a little irritated, but I’m not upset.” Indy said as she looked at her husband.

“
Uh huh, and keeping you away from Gabe and his date will ensure that you don’t become upset now sit back down and behave, please.” Gio said sweetly.

“
You had better be glad that I really love you because if anyone else was to talk to me like that they’d be picking up their teeth right now.” Indy said as she gazed at Gio’s smiling face.

“
I did say please, didn’t I?” He replied as he kissed her on the forehead.

“
Yes you did and that’s the second reason you still have all your teeth tiger.” Indy said with a smirk.

“
Indy, if you’re done giving your poor husband a hard time. What should we do about this Gabe situation?” Asia asked.

“
Hold it, before any of you start plotting anything just let me handle Gabe and Brenda.” London said as she headed for the door.

“
Brenda, didn’t say her name was Barbie?” Asia asked in confusion.

“
No, I think she said her name was Becky.” Gigi said.

“
Who in the hell cares?” London said over her shoulder as she left the kitchen with the tray that Asia’s staff had prepared while they were talking. When she arrived at Gabe’s table, she smiled as she served their order.

“
One house special for you sir and one glass of iced water for Brandy, enjoy.” London said as she turned to walk away.

“
My name is Barbara.” The woman said cheerfully.

“
Whatever.” London said over her shoulder as she went to Justin’s table. “I’m almost done so what would you like for dessert?”

“
You’re talking about something from the menu right?” Justin asked with a smirk.

“
I was unless you want to be carried out of here on a stretcher.” London said with a smirk of her own.

“
Alright then, I’ll have whatever you’re having.” Justin said.

“
Good choice, I’ll be back in a minute.” She said before turning for the kitchen.

The second London entered the kitchen her sisters started with the questions firing them at rapid fire speed not giving her a chance to answer one before asking another.

“
What happened?” Gigi said.

“
What did they say when took them their order?” Asia asked.

“
Why didn’t you dump his food over his head?” Indy asked.

“
Is Gabe still out there with his date?” Gigi asked.

“
Did that bleached blonde broom handle really come to my café and order a glass of water?” Asia asked with irritation.

“
Why didn’t you just accidentally on purpose spill the glass of water in her lap?” Indy asked.

“
Damn, do I need a lawyer because I’m getting questioned like ya’ll are five-0 or something. Look, everything is fine but he’s about to get a taste of his own medicine. So, one of you can finish waiting on Gabe and Brittany because I’m going to join Justin at his table.” London said as she took off her apron and freed her hair from its ponytail.

“
Now you’re talking London, because making Gabe jealous is the best way to handle this situation. You'll scare some sense into him.” Luc said with a grin.

“
Luc might be onto something. Nothing moves a man quite like jealousy.” Gio said with a smile.

“
That is probably true but London, I don’t want you to leave this Inn with Justin. I mean it, don’t leave that dining room with him. We don’t know him well enough to trust him alone with you.” Pierce said with concern.

“
Thanks for worrying about me Pierce, and I promise not to leave the Inn. You know it’s kind of nice having concerned big brothers to watch out for me. It’s a delightful change from dealing with my crazy-ass sisters, not that I don’t love you guys. I mean ya’ll are great sisters and all, but sometimes ya’ll, can be a bit much.” London said with a smile.

“
You know what, I’m going to let the fact that you just called us crazy yet again, slide since you’re dealing with this Gabe situation. However, little sister or not if you keep using that c-word to describe us, I will be forced to whip your ass.” Indy said.

“
Yeah, like Gio is going to let that happen.” London said.

“
Watch it heifer, in case you’ve forgotten, I won’t be pregnant forever.” Indy said.

“
That’s true, but luckily for me. You are pregnant at the moment so my ass is safe for now.” London said with a wink as she blew her older sister a kiss before slipping out the door with two slices of Asia’s secret surprise mousse pie.

“
I swear I’m going to hurt that child.” Indy said as she shook her head, causing the others to laugh.

Chapter Two

London returned to the dining room area to join Justin at his table. She made sure to take the empty chair beside him instead of the one across from him. He smiled at her, and she smiled back as she leaned over in order to whisper something to him. He grinned before leaning towards her to whisper back making her giggle as she flirtatiously touched him on the arm.

Across the room, Gabe was watching the entire scene, and he was not happy. His date sat next to him chatting away, and he had her tuned out, not listening to a word she said. He’d been so fixated on what London was up to that he didn’t notice when Asia and Luc had approached his table. The two of them exchanged knowing glances when they saw the expression on Gabe’s face.

“
Hey Gabe, I’m surprised to see you here tonight.” Luc said.

“
Yeah, and I’m even more surprised to see that you brought a date…here…to Landry’s Landing Inn, so…what’s up with that?” Asia asked sarcastically.

“
What? Did one of you say something?” Gabe asked barely paying attention because he was too busy watching London.

“
Yes, I said something boy would you pay attention when I’m talking to you?” Asia yelled.

Gabe glanced towards her briefly before turning his gaze back to where London was sitting. “I can hear you just fine, Asia.” He said as he kept his eyes fixed across the room.

“
Aren’t you going to introduce us to your date?” Asia asked.

“
Oh yeah, Asia and Luc this is uh, uh this is my dinner companion.” Gabe said pointing to the woman sitting across from him but keeping his eyes on the woman across the room.

“
Hi, my name is Barbara.” The woman said.

Neither of them had a chance to reply before Gabe started a rapid fire of questions. “Why is London sitting with one of the guys from the construction site? And does she have to act like she’s having such a good time with him? What is she thinking spending time with a guy she barely knows?” He asked as he continued to stare at her.

“
Maybe she was thinking the same thing you were, when you decide to bring your date here. You know, probably something like why the hell not?” Asia said with irritation in her voice.

"Well, in case you haven't noticed brother, you seem to be in a bit of hot water with the Landry women." Luc said with amusement.

"Yeah I'm kind of sensing that, especially with your wife glaring at me like I stole something." Gabe said.

"No, not like you stole something it's more like you lost something. Like your damn mind, you can't really be this stupid." Asia said as she continued to glare at her brother-in-law.

"What did I do? London's the one over there flirting like there's no tomorrow. All I'm doing is having an innocent dinner.” Gabe said defensively.

"Oh who are you kidding, Belinda here looks anything but innocent?" Asia said pointing to Gabe's guest with her thumb.

"My name is Barbara." The woman said sounding irritated.

"Oh yeah that's right, anyway, Gabe you do realize this wasn't exactly the smartest thing that you could've done." Asia said dismissing the woman's word as easily as she'd said them.

Gigi and Pierce entered the dining room from the kitchen and approached Gabe's table smiling politely.

"Hi Gabe, we see that you've brought a guest." Gigi said as she glanced from him to the woman sitting across from him.