Bound Together by Marie Coulson Read Free Book Online

thing. But I’d had the feeling it was
going to come up. I was right. I shrugged and got to my feet. Dad
would be here soon and I needed to get my things. “Thanks Amy. I
think I’ll just play this one by ear.” I gave her a half-hearted
smile and hoped it would make her feel that I was alright. Inside I
was so confused it made my head spin.
    Amy was right about Oliver
though. That moment we shared at the bar was more than just
flirting. It was almost suggestive. But could I really read into it
as much as Amy had? Maybe he was just the flirtatious type. Maybe
he had a little black book full of women he’s shared “moments”
with; though he really didn’t seem the type to indulge in
meaningless and casual encounters. At least I hoped he wasn’t.
Those lips did look delicious though. And it had crossed my mind to just lean in
and give that bottom lip the tiniest of nibbles. But
unfortunately, I wasn’t that kind of girl. After today’s events I wasn’t even
sure what kind of girl I was anymore. How could this guy that I
hardly even knew make me feel so hot? I’d heard that people change
at college but this was ridiculous!
     
    I shook my head and rolled
my eyes at myself. Grabbing an overnight bag from the closet, I
chucked in some cosmetics and a change of clothes. Grabbing my cell, I realized that dad had sent me
a text.
     
    On my way sweetie. Can’t
wait to see you. I’ll call when I’m outside.
    Received: 13.38
    From: Daddy
     
    Typing a simple ‘ Ok ’ in reply, I hit send. I was just
about to slide the phone into my front pocket when it chimed in my
hand.
    It was another text but I
didn’t recognize the number. I opened the message, curious to find
out who had acquired my digits without my
knowledge .
     
    Hello Layla. Sorry to
disturb you but I thought I would let you know that the bill for my
expensive Armani shirt is $275 exactly. I’ll be by the shop on
Monday. You can pay cash or give me a check. Have an enjoyable
weekend. Jared
    Received: 13.42
    From: Unknown
     
    “What!” Amy jumped
slightly and stared at me. I was gripping the phone so tightly in
my hand I thought it might shatter into a thousand pieces. “That
asshat! Just look at this!” I handed her the phone and began pacing
around the room. “How the hell did he even get my number? Is he
serious? $275 for a dry cleaning bill? He’s got some
nerve!”
    Amy shook her head in
disbelief. Her jaw had dropped and she appeared to be as shocked as
I was. And what the hell was with that smiley face at the end? Like
that made it all ok. I could almost imagine that stupid smirk on
his smug face as he sent it. What a jackass!
     
    I was furious. My whole
body was shaking with the rage I felt building inside me. My fists
were clenched at my sides and my teeth were clenched so hard that I
may have cracked the enamel. He really was
dicking with me now . Asshole. Granted he was a gorgeous, sexy and oh so sweet
smelling asshole. But an asshole none the less. I crashed onto my
bed and tried to snap out of my bad mood before dad arrived. Amy
squealed as the phone rang in her hand. I jumped up and took it
from her.
     
    “Hey sweetie I’m
downstairs.”
     
    Too late, he was already here.
     

Chapter
7
    Mel, Dinner And
Daddy
     
    I climbed into the car,
slinging my overnight bag onto the back seat. I gave dad my
sweetest smile and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. His
enormous grin was reaching all the way from ear to ear. He’d missed
me. His eyes danced as he told me how he couldn’t wait to take me
out for dinner and hear all about my first week. Thank goodness. He
was so distracted by all the plans he was making for our weekend
that he never noticed the bad mood I was still in. I leaned back in
my seat and we set off for home. I couldn’t wait to be back where I
was safe from all the drama that the week had brought.
     
    The drive home felt like it
took forever. I was still trying to get my head around everything
that had happened that