Calling Me Back by Louise Bay Read Free Book Online Page B

didn’t feel like that. It wasn’t that I couldn’t bear for him to touch me. When he kissed me, it felt nice. I was just ambivalent about his touch. About him really. I didn’t miss him when he wasn’t there, and I didn’t get excited to see him—though when I did, I had a nice time. Hopefully, now that things between us were getting more serious, my feelings would grow. But Haven’s words echoed through my head—maybe he just wasn’t the right man for me.
    My phone rang and although I didn’t move to answer it, Richard released his hold around my waist. “You get that and I’ll grab a quick shower,” he said, then planted a kiss on my cheek.
    Luke’s name was flashing on the screen. Talk about timing.
    “Hey,” I said. Why was he was calling me?
    “Hi, I’m at the supermarket. What wine did Haven say I should bring on Sunday?” The noise of the shoppers echoed behind him.
    “Why would I know?” The shower began running in the bathroom, and I relaxed a little. It felt weird to be speaking to Luke while I was away with Richard. I went back to the window, not wanting to waste the view.
    “You were there, weren’t you?”
    “I don’t remember. But buy the pinot noir. Even if it’s not the right one, she’ll still like it.”
    “Okay. And I need to ask you a favor.”
    My stomach clenched. Was he going to tell me he was engaged and wanted me to do a reading at his wedding?
    “I have this work thing. Like an awards ceremony. Will you come with me? It’s black tie and everything.” Over the years, I’d got used to accompanying him to events like this. But I’d not done it for a while. Not since he moved in with Emma.
    I shifted my weight from one foot to the other. I was pleased he was asking me, but I knew I shouldn’t go. “Why can’t Emma go with you?”
    “She’s working.”
    I rested my forehead on the cool glass in front of me. I wanted to go. And that was the difference. If Richard were asking, I’d say yes, but I wouldn’t really want to. If I went with Luke, we’d laugh all night and have the best time. “When is it?” I asked. I should say no. I should come up with an excuse. Spending time with Luke wasn’t going to make me like Richard more, and that’s what I needed to do.
    “It’s four weeks from today. Please say you’ll come. I can’t bear these things, and you’ll make it fun.”
    “Can’t Haven go?”
    “I’m not taking my sister. How pathetic do you want me to look?” he asked.
    I smiled. “I thought I was meant to be like a sister to you.” I was prodding him, verging on flirting. I shouldn’t be.
    “Well, you are like a sister, but in an ‘it’s legal’ way. No one has to know I’ve seen you pee yourself. We could pass as a couple.” I’d long passed the point where playing at being a couple was enough for me. I needed something real.
    “Jesus, I was five. Are you ever going to let me forget it?” Luke had been peeing on my mother’s roses, and I’d thought I would join the fun but ended up with wet underwear and a scolding from my mother. Luke had laughed until his eyes almost popped out of his head.
    “I wouldn’t hold your breath.”
    “I’ll check my schedule. I won’t know if I’m working until next week.” How did Emma have her schedule already? She worked at the same group of hospitals, and doctors and nurses got their schedules four weeks in advance. Surely she couldn’t know yet.
    “You’re the best. I’ll see you Sunday.”
    I shook my head at his assumption that I would end up going with him. “I won’t be there on Sunday, but I’ll let you know.”
    “You won’t? What are you doing?” he asked.
    I hesitated for a split second then decided to be honest. “I’m away for the weekend. With Richard.”
    “Oh, right. So . . . So it’s serious then?”
    I didn’t want to get into this with him. “I told you, we’ve been going out three months. It’s three-months serious. Not you-and-Emma serious.”
    He