Back to the Top (Ross Records) (3) by Jl Paul Read Free Book Online Page A

never be able to find anyone more suited for me than Brad.”
    Beside me, Jenny squirmed. Perhaps I’d revealed too much to her. Maybe I should have never told her about Jake. I didn’t need her adding fuel to a fire that I’d pretty much tamed.
    When dessert was finished, the band started in on a slow, dreamy tune that reminded me of old black and white movies. George stood and offered a hand to his wife. Giggling like a teenager, she took it and followed her husband to the dance floor.
    It was sweet watching them dance, looking so in love. I’d once thought that Jake and I would be the same way after being together our entire lives.
    Boy, had I ever been wrong.
    “Would you like to dance, darling?” Brad whispered in my ear.
    “Yes,” I said with another of my award-wining fake smiles.
    He led me to the floor, holding me properly, moving his body in time to the music. As we danced, my mind drifted back to Jake and the Fall Festival dance during my senior year of high school. He’d rescued me that weekend when my date backed out at the last minute, accompanying me to the dance.
    “I think that we should set a date,” Brad said, his eyes scrutinizing my reaction, prying me out of my memories.
    I had no choice at the moment but to concede. “Okay. We should sit down after the holiday and figure out when to do it.”
    His smile widened as he held me a little closer. “I’m glad that you agree. I thought that after the little…mishap, that you might have second thoughts.”
    I shook my head, my heart falling to my feet. I fixed my face in a happy expression. “I told you that I knew them long ago. We haven’t kept in touch. They’ve probably forgotten about me again.”
    “Good,” he said as his gaze roamed the room. “Because this is where you belong. These are the people that you need to surround yourself. This is where you will blossom.”
    I nodded, sham smile curling my lips. The entire time, as we danced among the wealthy and privileged, I plotted how I would get to Jake’s on Saturday. If I was going to truly marry Brad and live the rest of my life among these people, then I’d have one last slice of my former life. Then I’d give it up for good.
    My heart sighed.
    ***
    That Saturday, I drove to Jake’s house on the outskirts of Chicago. The lovely spring weather urged me to roll down the windows and enjoy the wind whistling through my loose hair.
    As I grew closer to his place, my heart thumped in nervous anticipation. What would happen?
    “Nothing,” I said as I turned into his drive and stopped at the gates. I pressed the buzzer.
    “Yeah? Who is it?”
    I wasn’t sure which one of the guys it was but I wasn’t about to let him get away with talking to me like that.
    “This is a reporter from the local tabloid,” I said. “I was wondering what sort of party is going on and if Ronnie Stone is truly going commando.”
    Corny, sure, but the guys always got my dorky humor.
    Pause. Then, “who the hell is this?”
    “Um, maybe you should install cameras. I hear all the drive-thrus have them these days.”
    “Oh, hell, Iz, come on up,” the voice, who I thought was probably Ronnie, said.
    The gates swung open, causing my heart to patter a nervous beat. I was about to be face-to-face with Jake again – without Brad.
    I parked in front of the old pole barn and before I could open my door, I spotted Jake standing on the porch. My heart slammed into my ribcage in an effort to get to him.
    I exited the car, shut the door, and leaned against it for support as a wry smile graced Jake’s lips.
    “Nick said you might come,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
    “I’m here,” I said in what I hoped was a nonchalant voice.
    He stepped down one step. “Why’d you come?”
    Pushing away from my car, I walked toward him. “Free food. You know I like to eat.”
    His smirk widened into a smile as he took the next step. “Sure you didn’t come for the company?”
    His musky scent filled