Future Investment: (Taboo Romance Series) (Forbidden Fruit Book 2) by Ali Parker Read Free Book Online Page B

Who'd you sleep with to get your good deal?" She pushed against my shoulder with hers.
    "No one. I haven't had sex in at least a few months." I glanced over at her and shrugged. "And I'm not sure it was worth talking about the last time I did."
    "Oh, Liz. That's horrible." She turned to me, but I diverted. I'd spent too much of my time talking about my relationship with Jackson. It was time to do something about it.
    "Yeah. I'm going to swing by and see him on the way home." I pulled my hair into a ponytail and quickly changed. "Have fun tonight. We'll catch up when you get home. I'll try to stay up and wait for you."
    "Alright. Good luck with Jack. You know you've tried to break up with him a million times. He's not going to let you go."
    I chuckled. "How did you know I was going to try to break up with him?"
    "Please. Why else would you stop by to see him?" She cocked her eyebrow at me and put a hand on her hip.
    "That predictable?" I groaned and closed my locker.
    "Yep, but go take care of it. You'll feel better after you get it over with. It's beyond time for both of you to move on. You're just comfortably stuck together. That's not love, nor is it fair." She rubbed my back soothingly.
    "Thanks. You're right." I gave her a quick hug and walked out into the hall, to find Aiden and Parks standing at the far end, laughing about something. It was nice to see Dr. Crawford smiling and relaxed. His laugh was warm, and wrapped around me, pushing me toward them. I forced myself to keep walking, but he glanced at me and waved me over.
    "Elizabeth. We're cardiologists. We're here to save hearts, not destroy them." The cheeky grin on his handsome face left me breathless.
    "Yeah, Lizzy." Parks clamped his hands over his heart and stumbled back. "You're killing me."
    "You should be cupping your crotch, not your heart." I winked at Parks and walked to the door. "I'm not sure it's love you're after."
    Aiden's laughter filled the hall, and several of the nurses just ahead of me stopped what they were doing and looked back, smiling much like I was.
    "Alright, princess. That's another one for you. You're up by two, but I'm coming after you," Parks called after me.
    I turned and winked at him as I stopped by the exit. I was playing so far out of my normal comfort zone that it was comical.
    "Bring it, playboy, but you should know that you're not getting anywhere with me." I shrugged, caught Aiden's eye for a second, and turned, walking out into the warm autumn afternoon.
    I wanted my teasing to be with the handsome doctor who pretended to be stern and unyielding. He wasn't going to be an easy nut to crack, but I wanted to give it a go. Even if it were just for a fun friendship like he and Parks had.
    I was jealous of the younger doctor who had Aiden's attention. I wanted it too.
     
    *
     
    "Wait, what?" Jackson stood in front of me in the parking lot of his office building. His black slacks and white button-down fit him well, and I had no doubt that all of the women on his floor had noticed. He was a handsome guy, and would find someone else in no time. Some part of me was surprised that he hadn't already found several somebodies.
    "Jack. You know that we've grown apart. You and I have been trying to hold this thing together for far too long. I'm done. I don't want to keep you from someone who might be a good fit for marriage for you." I reached for him, but he jerked back.
    "That's you, Elizabeth. You're supposed to be my wife. I've spent my whole adolescence with you. I don't want another woman. I want you. You know me. You get me. You love me." His eyes filled with tears, breaking my heart. "Please don't do this."
    "I have to go. We're better friends than we are lovers. We have been for the last ten years. I love you as I would family, like I do Steph, but I'm not in love with you. Find someone who will be. She's out there." I pulled my keys from my pocket and turned, only to have him jerk me back and wrap his arms around me