Happenstance by M. J. Abraham Read Free Book Online

shoes. By five o’clock, we’re beat and decide to grab an early
dinner.
    I fill her in on my date with Steven, and Maggie is delighted to
hear that we hit it off.
    “After a few dates, heck maybe even the next date, you can get
some action and move on from this funk you’re in.” She takes a sip of her wine
and raises her eyebrow.
    I shrug. “I’m not sure, although I told him I wanted to be casual,
I just can’t be dating two different guys.”
    Immediately noticing my confession, I lower my eyes and go back
to the menu in front of me.
    “What two guys?” Maggie asks. Shit. I can feel the hole her eyes are burning through my head.
    “Victoria Rivera! What two guys?” she repeats.
    I exhale, exasperated. “Ok, so I sorta , kinda went to dinner with Jared and he’s sorta , kinda taking me out again
tomorrow.”
    “What! And why didn’t you tell me this? You whore.”
    I glare at her and she laughs. “I’m kidding! Of course I am. I’m
happy for you. I just wish you would have told me sooner.”
    “I didn’t want you to get on your crazy dating wagon.” I narrow
my eyes at her because she knows I’m right.
    “Honey, I got on that wagon and never got off.” More gently, she
tells me, “Listen, I’m just looking out for you. I want to see you happy
again.”
    I sigh. “I know you do, but please take it a little easy on me?”
    She unwraps her napkin and points her
fork in my direction. “Deal. As long
as you tell me all about your dates when they happen. Whore.”
    When she smiles at me again, I smile back. I can deal with that.

 
 
    Chapter Six
    August 2011
    Victoria
    The next day, Jared picks me up at seven on the dot. I
walk towards him as soon as he texts me that he is in
the complex. I see him get out of his car and walk around to the passenger
side, stopping in his tracks when he notices me.
    “Wow, you’re gorgeous,” he says.
    I smile at him and try to calm my racing heart. He never told me
where we were going but I didn’t want to be underdressed. So I decided on a
black pencil skirt and a beige sleeveless blouse with a curved opening at my
back right above my bra line. I’m also wearing my new cream colored Steve
Madden heels that have a bow on the side. His gaze travels from the top of my
head all the way down my legs and stays there. “Those legs really are something
else,” he whispers.
    I lick my upper lip and make sure he notices. “Nice to see you
too Doctor. You don’t look so bad yourself.” And I mean it.
    Of course, he looks amazing with black pants and a short sleeved
gray button up shirt. He has even shaved and smells as delicious as always. I
like his stubble, but the smooth skin is like satin I can’t wait to run my
hands on.
    Opening the car door for me, I slide right in and get comfortable
in the leather seat.
    “Ok, you have got to tell me what cologne you use,” I ask as I
put on my seat belt.
    He winks at me. “I’ll keep that as my little secret.” Damn him. I know I’ve smelled it before
but for the life of me can’t think of the name now.
    We make small talk on the drive but it isn’t too long before I
notice the tall buildings and realize where we are going.
    “Downtown?” I ask.
    He nods while keeping his eyes on the road. “Yes, I know it’s not
far from where you live but have you ever been there?”
    “Not really, I’ve done more of the touristy things when I’ve
visited Maggie.”
    “I figured as much, wanted to show you the more local scenes. A
lot of college kids hang out here but there’s still a
few good spots for us oldies.” He grins.
    “Ok old man, show me what you got.”
    “Oh, I can definitely show you what I got,” he says looking over
at me and glancing at my lips. I swallow and fidget with my necklace. I need a
drink and I need one fast.
    We park in the garage and he grabs my hand as we walk towards the
elevator. His hands are big and soft and fit solidly around mine. I have to
admit that I love the fact that