A Borrowed Life (Carly and Liam #1) by Stephanie Cholette Read Free Book Online Page B

overeating. No wonder why women who are constantly watched by others don't eat a thing and spend most of their time in front of the mirror. They have to look perfect all the time.
    I couldn't carry myself like them, I realize with a sigh. Liv is right. Liam and I are from two completely different worlds, and it’s a woman like that he wants. I won't deprive myself of a good steak dinner and be content with a salad just to look good. I know I wouldn’t be good enough for him. I couldn't remember to touch up my makeup and my hair regularly, and I wouldn’t want to talk about fashion, beauty treatments, or decorations all the time, which I’m sure is all his friends and family talk about. I'd be bored to death. None of them could talk to me about literature, history or even art, I’m sure.
    Liam probably didn't appreciate that I challenged him about Romeo and Juliette. A well-educated woman would have simply nodded and thanked him for the invitation.
    I arrive at the end of the deck where I take the elevators up to the roof. The pool illuminated by moonlight must be beautiful. I hope it won't be too crowded. I get out of the elevator and I'm glad to see that I'm alone. Some employees are still cleaning up from the evening.
    “Excuse me, is the pool closed?” I ask one of them who cleans a table.
    The young man jumps and a glass slides out of his hands. I catch it out of reflex, apologizing for scaring him.
    “Don't apologize, it's my fault,” he says nervously.
    Based on the price of crystal glass, I bet his boss would have thrown a fit if he had broken one. I can see he’s still new and lacks confidence by how his fingers are trembling while trying to hold the dishes. I immediately feel sorry for him and take the tottering pile of plates in his hands. It's a rookie mistake; you should always put all the utensils on the top plate. Otherwise, it's a recipe for disaster.
    I help him stack everything back up in the right order, holding the stack of plates on the back of my wrist and adding all the utensils on top with my other hand.
    “This way, you won’t risk spending your salary on broken dishes.”
    The young man looks down, visibly upset. Suddenly I'm aware what it meant to him and I feel uncomfortable. I didn't mean to imply he doesn't earn much.
    “No, I'm sorry! That came out wrong. I'm just trying to save you some trouble. I know how it can be.”
    Here I am, out of nowhere, telling him how to do his job. Above all, I sort of call him incompetent. He must find me incredibly arrogant! A weak smile stretches on his face.
    “You were a waitress before?”
    “I still am,” I whisper signaling to him it's a secret.
    “Ah, you are the winner of the contest, right?”
    I shrug and smile in reply.
    “I won't say anything,” he assures me of a lighter tone. “It’s refreshing to come across someone nice around here.”
    “I can imagine!” I say, laughing.
    “Now, I need take those plates from you, please, before I get into serious trouble.”
    “Oh yes! Sorry.”
    I put the plates solidly on his wrist just before his supervisor arrives and sees me carrying them. As he advances towards us, the young man leaves, bowing politely.
    “Madame.”
    The manager turns to me, wearing a uniform with a bow tie. He's tall and rather burly, and his hair is styled with gel.
    “Excuse me, ma'am. Was that young man bothering you?”
    “No, no. I was only asking if the pool was closed.”
    “It never closes. Would you like us to leave you alone?”
    “Oh, God, no! Don't bother.”
    “It’s not a problem. If you need anything, feel free to ask.”
    “Thank you.”
    I approach the edge of the pool to sit. Already, the employee who was vacuuming is gone, and the others are making themselves unnoticeable near the bar. I dip my feet in the heated water. I let my toes float to the surface, then stir them in the water so the waves caress the soles of my feet.
    “Can I join you?”
    A warm male voice suddenly interrupts my