Crossing Paths by Melanie Stinnett Read Free Book Online

me. I’m amazed at how easily our conversation transitions from here to there. He begins telling a story about his dad and a runaway golf cart. About halfway through, I laugh so hard that I have trouble catching my breath.
    A man who can make me laugh—now, that is an important trait.
    Here we go again, June. An important trait for what? A friendship? A business relationship? Obviously, this could never be any other kind of relationship. He is a business associate from another company who lives across the country. Of course, he also happens to be really good-looking, and he seems to have every trait on my secret perfect-man checklist. Maybe I should look on the bright side. At least I am making friends in the industry, which couldn’t be a bad thing.
    After we finish eating with about thirty minutes left until my flight leaves, he walks with me to the gate.
    “It was really great having lunch with you, June.”
    God, I love the way he says my name. “Thanks. I enjoyed it very much.”
    “Here’s my card. Call me if you’re ever up in the Seattle area.”
    I take his card, reach in my purse, and then give him my card as well. We smile at each other, not knowing how to part ways.
    “Do you text?” I sound stupid, but I want to linger in the conversation.
    He nods.
    “We can keep in touch then.”
    He nods again with a slight smile this time.
    “Okay, bye.” I turn and walk toward the gate with my carry-on in tow. It feels much heavier than it did before as the weight of possibilities to come presses for me to stay in this moment.
    After a few more seconds, I turn to watch him walk away. Instead, I find him still facing me, standing in the same spot. He pulls his hand out of his pocket and waves. I return a small wave and head back in the opposite direction with a huge smile on my face.
    When I make it to the gate, I take out my phone and save his number before my clumsiness finds a way to lose his business card.

Tuesday
    Sleep didn’t come easily last night, and as always, morning came too quickly. Still lying in bed, I stare at the ceiling, going over my current work project. Who am I kidding? I’m not thinking about work. I’m thinking of Liam—sexy, funny, and incredibly off-limits Liam.
    I’ve been trying to think of anything other than him since I got his text message yesterday. I grab a magazine off my nightstand and flip through pictures in the “Sexiest Man Alive” article to try and get him off my mind. It doesn’t work. Unfortunately for me, Liam is hotter than most of these guys, and he doesn’t come with a bunch of celebrity baggage.
    How am I going to face June when she gets home? She knows me too well to think I would be worthy enough to date her brother. I mean, we are best friends, and she loves me, but she knows my dating record. She wouldn’t believe for a second that I could be serious about a real relationship.
    Truth be told, I’m vain and sometimes selfish. I want a guy’s life to revolve solely around me. I can’t cook, I hate to clean, and I have always maintained that it would take one hell of a guy to convince me to have children. I’ve seen what a kid can do to a woman’s body in less than a year. I’m not even sure why I am worried about it. There’s no way I am going to tell June about my lunch date with Liam. His text last night had to have been out of kindness to the new girl in town. Wait, did I just say date? Oh well, I don’t think inner monologue counts.
    After wasting precious morning minutes by wallowing in bed, I convince myself to stand up, get ready, and head to work.

    As the day goes by, it continues to be fairly uneventful. Normalcy seems to be back in full swing. Around two o’clock, my phone vibrates from the inside of my purse, which is tucked neatly underneath my desk. Since my boss is out for the afternoon, I dig it out to see who’s calling.
    “Hi, Mom.”
    “Caroline, I didn’t expect you to answer.”
    “Well, it’s your lucky day. What’s