Fool's Gold (Contemporary Romance) by Clara Frost Read Free Book Online Page A

what, but it was more than she’d realized.
    “Sorry.” He hefted the box and hustled away, taking it to the bathroom. “I figured he wouldn’t want to eat and shit three feet apart,” he called from out of sight.
    Victoria laughed. The moment was gone, and Beta was back to his juvenile self. “Thanks. I’m sure, uh, I’m sure Chucks will appreciate that.”
    Chuckles was spread out on Beta’s bed, his eyes closed and his side rising and falling rhythmically. The world claimed it was a dog’s life, but Victoria knew better. Chuckles spent his whole life napping or being scratched. Dogs had nothing on that.
    Beta came back, wiping his hands on his jeans, and sat on the bed next to the snoozing cat. “Do I need to take him to the vet or anything?”
    Chuckles purred as Beta rubbed his belly.
    “He’s all up-to-date. Just feed him and clean his litter box.”
    “And give him plenty of scratching?”
    “And that.” Victoria made her way to the door, but Beta rose and beat her to it. He pulled it open and smiled the world’s grimmest smile.
    “Good luck, Vicks. Take care of yourself.” He held out a hand to shake.
    Victoria caught his hand and used it to pull him into a hug. His breath caught as she squeezed him, and he barely touched her in return. “I’ll try. Thank you so much, Beta. It really means a lot to me.”
    He nodded, and she thought she could see tears forming at the corners of his eyes. Beta was a nice guy. A dork, a nerd and a geek, maybe, but he had a good heart. Victoria walked back to her jeep, regret weighing heavily upon her shoulders. Her last night in Omaha had turned far more depressing than she had expected.

Chapter 9
New York

    T HE  baggage claim at La Guardia was the busiest place Victoria had ever seen in her life. Nothing in Omaha came close, except maybe the College World Series, but it wasn’t half as loud. A mom with a crying baby stood in the corner. Crowds upon crowds upon multitudes of people gathered around the baggage conveyers. There had to be half a dozen planes’ worth. Above it all the loudspeakers blared generic security warnings about unattended bags.

    Victoria squirmed her way toward the second baggage conveyer. If Christine was there, she was lost in the sea of humanity. A buzzer sounded, then the conveyer started to clank around. Bags rose from the depths of the airport. Victoria waited, watching people scoop off their luggage. The mom in the corner ended up with a stroller and a bag that was bigger than she was. A bag of golf clubs circled the conveyer three times before Victoria’s suitcase emerged. She wrestled it off the belt and shoved off to find Christine.
    Five minutes of searching didn’t reveal her inside, so Victoria sent her a text and went outside to look. As soon as the doors opened the air hit her in a wet wave. It was a sweltering wall of humidity and stink. She went back inside as her phone buzzed.
    A text message. Sorry Vicks. Fell asleep. Can you just catch a cab?
    Victoria sighed. Was she freaking kidding? Fell asleep? At four in the afternoon?
    It took her a few minutes to get her bearings and find her way to the cab line. A Pakistani or Indian or she-didn’t-know-what guy rushed up.
    “Good afternoon. Where are you going today?” He took her suitcase before she could respond and manhandled it into the back of a yellow Ford Escape.
    “Astoria. 42 nd Street and 3 rd Avenue.”
    The driver nodded once. “Very good. Get inside.” He held the door for her.
    The Ford tore out of the taxi line, and Victoria settled into her seat. Hot air whipped in the window, sending her hair flapping. She hardly noticed. In the distance, the Manhattan skyline was visible between gaps in the buildings. Even from the back of a moving car, it was breathtaking. Row after row of buildings, rising like a field of brightly lit corn.
    ***
    Christine at least had the grace to meet her at the curb. She didn’t offer to help with the cab fare, though. Victoria