All of Me (All Series Book 2) by Natalie Ann Read Free Book Online Page A

“Congratulations. I’m so proud of you guys. Where’s Alec?” she asked, looking around.
    “He’s at the bar.”
    “Congratulations?” Sophia inquired. What had she missed?
    Kaitlin turned and excitedly said, “Harper Construction is getting the award for the Business of the Year. Isn’t that wonderful?”
    Sophia’s eyes softened, pride springing into them. “That is wonderful news. Congratulations,” she said, reaching up and giving him a hug. When he held her longer and tighter than necessary, she felt her heart quicken and stepped back for some air.
    “Where’s our table, Phil?”
    Sophia had all she could do not to groan. Not only did she have no clue Phil would be here, but now she was going to have to sit with him. She could get through it, of course she could. She had gotten through worse situations before. All she had to do was reach within herself and put on a good front.
    The dinner was going well. Better than she might have expected considering her surprise at finding herself seated right next to him. Especially after his leg brushed against hers on multiple occasions.
    At first she thought it was an accident, but after the fourth time she was on to him. Sending him a warning signal only caused him to grin at her. Oh, how she had missed that sexy grin of his. The flirtatious one he’d always sent her before their night together months ago.
    That dreaded night. If only she hadn’t had a few too many drinks, she and Phil could well be on their way to having an actual relationship. Instead, now she was fighting everything she had within herself to not give in.
    He needed time, time to get Linda out of his system before he attempted another relationship. She ought to know, since she had seen what happened with the rebound girl enough in her life.
    Nothing she could do about it now. Move on, that was it. Maybe in another year or so he would be ready. But she wasn’t taking the chance now. She could hold off longer. She hoped. If he was truly the person who could give her what she was looking for all these years, she wanted to make sure they started out on good ground. Or better ground then they were on now.
    An hour later, she watched as Alec and Phil made their way to the stage to collect their award. Alec did most of the talking, just as she figured he would. He talked more about the business and the growth and what their plans for the future were. How more jobs were being added on with the development starting up in a few weeks.
    Phil took over and thanked all those close to them for their support. Phil was always the one that wanted to make sure everyone got their due. He was all for family and making sure everyone was appreciated. It was a nice speech. He and Alec always made a good team. They flowed well together.
    Both so handsome. But something about Phil always made her heart flutter. He was nothing like her normal type. Nothing like the men she grew up around, or the men she dated.
    With those men, she had to figure out what they wanted or who they wanted to be with. Which one of the acts she had to play. Which mask worked the best. With Phil, she was herself. No act required. Maybe it was because he was safe in the beginning.
    She’d felt safe to be herself. He’d been in a relationship, after all, so it didn’t matter one way or another what type of person he was looking for. He wasn’t looking at her, so she was free to be who she wanted and who came so naturally to her. That carefree girl that wasn’t afraid to speak her mind, who didn’t guard her tongue because it wasn’t appropriate or ladylike—fearful of being shunned as the new girl. Or the trouble-making stepchild.
    There weren’t appearances to keep up with Phil. He knew her as Kaitlin’s best friend. But as time went by, she looked at him as more than Kaitlin’s brother. And by then, he knew her for who she was and he liked that person. Or so she’d always believed.
    He’d made her feel things she never felt with