A Solitary Romance: Book 1 in the Only Love Series by Violet Sparks Read Free Book Online Page A

to push by him.  As her body pressed past his, she felt his taught muscles bunch against her.  An electric shock held her in place for a moment, but she managed to charge on, ignoring those who gathered nearby.
    Once home, Katrina scrubbed the kitchen, then rearranged her closet.
    "Insufferable, egotistical, infuriating, annoying man!" she said aloud.
    Her phone rang.  Caller I.D. let her know Kiki was trying to reach her.  She snatched the phone from its cradle.
    "I'm going to file a sexual harassment suit against him!" she exclaimed.
    "Now, now, Girlfriend.  Just settle down.  I can't figure out what's got you so riled up."
    "He's lying about our past, for one thing."
    "Maybe you just never heard him ask you out.  You tend to drift, ya know?" Kiki said.  Her friend continued, "Just don't do anything rash.  Try and relax and rest this evening, and hopefully everything will blow over by morning.  Okay?  The market's not good for job hunting right now.  You need to make this work.  Besides, William will be back before we know it."
    Kiki was correct.  She could outlast this troglodyte.
    "You're right.  I'll calm down."
    "So, I'll see you tomorrow?  You can't miss Dodd's going away party, Katrina.  It's going to be a blast."
    "If I can stand, I'll be there.  Good night, Kiki, and thanks for talking me off the ledge."
    The friends signed off.  Possible reasons for her being so upset bounced about her brain.  Was it due to the note?  Discovering the two-timing scoundrel had a girlfriend did bother her, if she were honest.  He had no right to ask her to dinner the other night. 
    Katrina decided a hot bath was in order.  She pushed Robert LaSalla from her mind and ran the water.  Sliding into the tub, she focused on next week's meeting with Barry at the Heller.  Home sick when the director called, she spoke with him at length about the upcoming exhibit.  Her excitement grew about her unique opportunity and dismissing thoughts of her new boss became easier.
    After her soak, she called her father.  She knew her brother, James, was home for a visit, on leave from the Navy, and she hoped to chat with both of them.  Speaking with her dad always made her feel better, even if she didn't discuss whatever bothered her.  Since her mother died, they'd become even closer, forming a special bond.  Jim, as the older brother, was a horse of a different color.  She'd been a target for his teasing most of her growing up years.  He still treated her like a kid.
    "Hi, Sugar," Donald Crimshaw answered the phone on the first ring.
    "Hello, Daddy."
    "Something bothering you?"
    "What makes you say that?"
    "The big sigh you let out before saying hello ."
    "That obvious, huh?"
    "Yes, Sugar, it's that obvious."
    "I found out this week that I'm getting a new boss.  Sweet, old, Mr. Dodd is hitting the road and left an insufferable cave man in charge!"
    "I see."
    "I'm sure you don't, Dad.  At least, not all of it."
    "Well, I know my baby, and I know you'll figure out how to handle it all with grace.  If not, James can come down there and lay him out for you," Donald said, chuckling.
    She heard her brother making comments in the background and snickering.
    "Give Jim the phone, Dad.  I want to put him out of his misery."
    Her father complied, and soon she bantered with her brother about everything from the weather to the state of her old room.
    "So, when am I going to see you, Kate?"
    "I'll come up this weekend."
    After more conversation and a lift in Katrina's spirits, the family said good night.  She'd been correct.  Phoning home put everything in perspective.  She longed to tell her dad and brother about her gig at the museum, but that would mean spilling the beans about her blog, and she wasn't quite ready to do that.  She felt happy as she slipped into a sound sleep, brought on by exhaustion.
     

Chapter 5
-Party Time-
     
     
    Katrina glided into the office Friday morning with a box of muffins.  A wave of nervous