Betrayed by Love by Marilyn Lee Read Free Book Online

I refused to allow my thoughts to dwell on Jarrod.
    Jen returned just after eleven, looking radiant.
    I smiled. “The interview went well?”
    She nodded. “It went very well. I got the job.”
    “Way to go, girl.”
    She smiled, kicked off her heels, and stretched out on the lounger beside mine. “Thanks.”
    “Tell me about it,” I said.
    “It’s only a part time job, which is all I want. When I got pregnant, Jarrod and I agreed I’d be a stay at home mom until the kids were about ten. My hours will be 10–2, which will allow me to see them off to school and be home when they get out of school.”
    “Sounds perfect, Jen.”
    “It is.”
    “When do you start?”
    “In two weeks. Until then I plan to enjoy my last days of laziness.” She unbuttoned her blouse and settled against her lounger. “So, what do you want to do for the rest of the day?”
    I sighed and sat up. “How about lunch out?”
    “You’re on.”
    She changed into shorts and a sleeveless top, and we went to the mall to have lunch.

    “You know we’ll be heading down to the shore on Friday, but how do you want to spend the next few days until then, Lin?” she asked while we lingered over coffee.
    I shrugged. “Don’t feel you have to entertain me. I have my ebook reader loaded with books by my favorite authors. I’ll be perfectly content to lie around the pool reading until Friday.”
    “Sounds like a plan. What time do you want to head to the shore on Friday?”
    I sipped my coffee before I responded. “I have a flight back to L.A. Friday night.”
    She blinked. “What? Why?”
    I couldn’t bring myself to tell her about my fantasy. I shrugged. “I just think it’s best if I leave, Jen.”
    “Will it make any difference if I promise not to ask you to tease Jarrod again?”
    If I didn’t go, I just might discover I liked the idea of teasing him. And that was not going to happen. I shook my head.
    “I didn’t mean to…I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable, Lin.”
    I nodded. “I know that.”
    “I wish you’d change your mind.”
    “I can’t, Jen.”
    “Why not?”
    “I just can’t.”
    She sighed. “Okay. So we’ll just have to make the best of the days we have left.”
    Her quick acceptance of my decision surprised and pleased me. Maybe we could enjoy the next few days and we’d still be friends when I returned home.

    We spent the rest of the day shopping. I’m a bit of a shoe fanatic. I’ve rarely seen a pair of heels I could resist. I bought two pair of soft leather pumps, one in black and one in dark brown. Jen bought an exquisite pair of three–inch leather heels that made her long legs look even longer and lovelier.
    We returned to Jen’s house just before six. Noting Jarrod’s car in the driveway, I steeled myself. The moment Jen opened the door, we were met with a heavenly aroma of simmering beef.
    I stared at her. “Holy hell. He can cook?”
    “Among other things.” She gave me a knowing wink.
    I smiled, but secretly dreaded the thought of another long evening spent trying to make conversation with the two of them. But the evening went surprisingly well. Jen and Jarrod both went out of their way to make me feel comfortable. By the time we settled down to have coffee in the living room, I felt relaxed enough to laugh when Jen talked about some of our college exploits.
    After a nightcap, I left them alone, cuddling on the loveseat and went up to the guestroom. I slept well that night and when I woke the next morning, Jarrod had gone to work and Jen and I made breakfast.
    I smiled, looking forward to a day of girl talk.
    We had a lazy afternoon swimming and talking about old boyfriends as we lay by the pool.
    “Do you remember Tommy Conners?”she asked.
    A picture of a skinny, shy blond with warm brown eyes danced into my head. I nodded. “Yes. We shared an English class together.”
    “You know he had a thing for you, Lin.”
    “You think? He never asked me out.”
    “I think he was too