Bodice of Evidence by Nancy J. Parra Read Free Book Online Page B

glasses and I enjoyed the wine.
    Dinner was a slow, relaxed affair with several courses. It was so strange to have dinner with a man and not have to worry about putting it on my business credit card. It was also different to tell him about my hopes and dreams and listen to his. Time flew by until we were the last people in the restaurant.
    Gage paid the bill while I went to the ladies room. The restrooms were well appointed with soft candles and fresh flowers. I made a note. It would be a nice place to contact for Perfect Proposals. I could really see someone proposing here.
    Gage drove me home. He parked in the lot and turned to me. “I had a great time.”
    â€œMe, too.” My heart beat faster and I fidgeted with my purse. “Do you want to come in?”
    His eyes glittered in the low light. I felt just a tiny bit daring. I’d never been with any other guy but Bobby, so I didn’t know how these things went. Do you wait until the third date? Or was it that you had to know a guy ninety days? Either way, Gage wasn’t exactly a stranger.
    â€œI would love to come up, but it’s probably best that we wait a little longer.”
    â€œOh.” I tried to hide my disappointment but it was tough. “You’re right, of course.”
    â€œHow about I walk you to your door?”
    â€œOkay.” I sounded like a pouty child.
    Gage chuckled, reached over, and raised my chin with the crook of his index finger. “You are precious, Pepper Pomeroy.” He kissed me. It was a long and lingering kiss, and I would have continued it for the next ten years if he hadn’t pulled away first.
    We looked deeply into each other’s eyes. The moment was interrupted by a loud knocking at the window on my side of the car.
    Startled, I whirled and bumped my head on the rearview mirror and my left elbow on the stick shift.
    â€œWhat?”
    Bobby’s face floated into view as he leaned down to peer in the window. “Pepper, get out here now!”
    â€œWhat’s he doing here?” Gage asked.
    â€œYour guess is as good as mine,” I replied.
    Bobby banged on the window and tugged on the door handle. “I said, get out here now!”
    It would have been easier to stay in the car and let Gage get out and fight with Bobby. But then I was never one to take the easy route. If a situation was going to be uncomfortable, I usually faced it head on. That way there was no blind side.Right?

Chapter 4

    â€œWhat are you doing here, Bobby?” I asked as I stepped out into the crisp air. Gage came around the car to stand beside me.
    â€œI’m finding my girl out with my supposed best friend.” Bobby spit out the sentence as if he could spit fire.
    â€œDude, you’re drunk,” Gage said. “You need to take a step back.”
    â€œNo, you’re the one who needs to take a step back.” Bobby shoved his finger into Gage’s hard chest. “What the hell kind of friend are you anyway? Out with my fiancée.”
    â€œWe are not engaged,” I said. Anger rose up from my toes and burned my throat and cheeks. “You cheated on me for months, heck, years, for all I know. Go home, Bobby. My life is none of your business anymore.”
    â€œWe’ve been together since high school, Pepper.” Tears welled up in Bobby’s eyes. “I got down on one knee.”
    â€œI thought we settled this.” I sighed at the wreck of a man with whom I had spent so many years of my life.
    â€œYeah, that’s before I saw you with this jerk.” Bobby’s mood switched back to drunken anger. “How long have you been cheating on me? How could I have not seen this? Best friend, my eye. You’ve probably been sneaking around on me for years.”
    Bobby moved until he was chest to chest with Gage and roared into Gage’s face. Gage was a good man. He remained calm and stood his ground. The only sign of any emotion was the way he held