Forged in Stone by Alyssa Rose Ivy Read Free Book Online

him anyway? Why are you suddenly introducing us now?” I’d have thought she’d have tried the tactic earlier.
    She flushed.
    “Spill.”
    “He’s my cousin.”
    “Uh… what?”
    “Technically second cousin. He’s new in town and I knew you guys would hit it off, but you’d never give it a chance if you knew he was related to me.”
    She was right. I’d have run the other way. Dating a friend’s family could get messy. “This gets better and better.”
    “Remember the sushi. I brought you sushi.”
    “Food doesn’t make up for this.”
    “Please, just one date.” She gave me puppy dog eyes.
    “I’m sure Brad can get his own dates.” Despite my distaste, I was positive he had no problem attracting women.
    “Uh huh.” She held up her finger. “You admit he’s attractive.”
    “I never said he wasn’t physically attractive, just that he wasn’t my type.”
    “One date? Just a tiny one?” She held her fingers an inch apart from each other.
    “What’s a tiny date?”
    “A short one. Like coffee. Why not do that? Agree to coffee.”
    “Is your family paying you for this or something?”
    “No!” She tossed her chopsticks. “But you need to get over what happened with Dale, and Brad needs to meet someone who sees him for more than his looks. He always dates shallow girls and ends up hurt.”
    “This is insane.”
    “No, it’s fate. Think about it, if you got married we’d be family.”
    “Ugh, did you have to use the ‘m’ word?”
    “The ‘m’ word? You can’t even say the word marriage?”
    “Not now.” Maybe not ever.
    “Fine, I retract the previous statement. Give him a chance. Text him and tell him to cancel the reservation and meet you for coffee instead.”
    “And you promise you’ll get off my back after that? One coffee date and I’m off the hook?”
    “Yes.” She nodded. “That’s all I’m asking.”
    “Fine.” I picked up my phone and texted him. Forget Dinner. Coffee tomorrow?
    He texted back right away. It’s a date ;)
    “He winked at me.” I showed Grace. “He’s a winker.”
    “And winking is bad?”
    “Winking by text.”
    “You need help.”
    “Yes, help from my meddling friends.”
    “When you two hit it off tomorrow night you’ll be thanking me.”
    “We’ll see about that.”
    My phone buzzed with a text. Any chance we can move that coffee to tonight?
    “Ugh. Make it stop!”
    “What? He’s excited.”
    “He’s acting like a girl.”
    She laughed. “You didn’t just say that.”
    “A guy is supposed to hold back and act cool about things.”
    “But you guys are playing chase. He knows you’re going to refuse and then threaten to cancel completely, so he’ll say tomorrow night is fine.”
    “I’m not playing into his games. If he wants to play chase, he’s not getting it.” I texted back. Sure. I get off at nine.
    At Yogurt Love?
    “You told him where I work?” I glared at Grace.
    “He asked what you did.”
    Yes. See you then.
    “You played right into his cards.”
    “You told me he wanted the chase. I ended the chase.”
    “He wants you, chase or not.”
    “At least I’ll get this coffee over with.”
    She picked up the package from her dinner. “Don’t go into it like that. Try to enjoy yourself.”
    “If he tries to get me to go home with him after coffee, you are both in trouble.”
    “Why would I be in trouble?”
    “Because you’re the one putting me up to this.”
    “He’s not a jerk. He’d at least buy you dinner first.”
    I ate the final piece of sushi before I tossed my garbage out. “You’re lucky we have a history.”
    “Oh yeah? Our years of friendship buy me a get out of jail free card?”
    “Something like that.” I rinsed off the chopsticks in the sink.
    “I do think Brad could be good for you.”
    “I’m glad you think so.”
    “Are you?”
    “Not really.”
    She laughed.
    A knock on the door had us both turning.
    She looked at me. “Were you expecting anyone?”
    “Nope. No one