Finding Perfect by Susan Mallery Read Free Book Online Page B

eased out of her.
    He couldn’t begin to imagine what she was going through. He was thrown by the fact that he’d known Crystal’s husband. For her, the connection was a thousand times more powerful.
    Moving his hands to her shoulders, he stepped back far enough to see her face.
    â€œYou’re not a bad person,” he said firmly. “A bad person would walk away from the embryos without a second thought. As to taking your time to make the decision, why wouldn’t you? Having Crystal’s babies will change everything about your life. You’re allowed to have a plan.”
    â€œBut she’s my friend. I should…”
    He shook his head. “No. Crystal didn’t give you a head’s up. This was dumped on you, Pia. Give yourself a break.”
    She drew in another breath. “Okay. Maybe.”
    Her eyes were large and filled with concern. Her mouth trembled. There was something vulnerable about her. Part of him wondered why Crystal hadn’t warned Pia in advance. Had it been the other woman’s advancing illness or something else? Had she not wanted to give Pia a choice?
    Instead of finding an answer, he became aware of them standing very close together. He could feel the warmth of her body, the delicate bones under his fingers.She was tall but still had to look up to meet his gaze. Her curls brushed the backs of his hands. Her lips parted slightly, which made him want to lean in and—
    He moved back with the speed that had gotten him signed by the Cowboys, then carefully tucked his hands into his jeans pockets.
    Where the hell had that thought come from? Pia wasn’t for kissing. No one here was. He planned to live in Fool’s Gold for a long time. If he wanted entertainment, he would take it somewhere else. Not here. Besides, since Caro, he hadn’t been interested. This was not the time for that to change.
    Apparently Pia hadn’t noticed. Instead of being hurt or annoyed, she gave him a smile.
    â€œThanks. You’ve been great. I’m sorry I keep freaking out on you.”
    â€œYou’re dealing with a lot,” he said carefully.
    â€œI know, but this is business. For what it’s worth, I really am a calm, rational person. Professional even. You probably don’t want to take my word for it, but you can ask around.”
    He forced a chuckle. “Don’t worry about it.”
    â€œI will, because I believe in worrying early and often. I’d promise to let you speak to my assistant next time, only I don’t have one. And with the fire and all, the town can’t afford to pay for one.”
    â€œI can talk to you, Pia.”
    â€œAt least I didn’t faint this time.”
    â€œImprovement.”
    She sighed. “You’re nice, aren’t you? I don’t trust nice men.” She winced, then held up a hand. “Don’t take that wrong.”
    â€œThere’s a right way?”
    â€œI’m just saying…” She shook her head, then grabbed her bag. “I’ll leave you with the paperwork. We can talk about the festivals and your camp later, if that’s okay. I really need to gather the tattered remains of my dignity and move on. Next time we meet, I swear I’ll be totally calm and rational. You’ll barely recognize me.”
    He didn’t want her to go. For reasons he couldn’t explain, he wanted to pull her close again and tell her—
    What? What was he going to say? He barely knew her. She had other things to deal with. The meeting didn’t matter.
    But the problem wasn’t the meeting, and Raoul knew that. There was something about Pia. About how she got right to the heart of the problem. She was an intriguing combination of determined, vulnerable and impulsive. If she wasn’t careful, life would beat the crap out of her. Only the strong survived, and even they had to take a hit now and again.
    Not his problem, he reminded himself. Nor did he want it