Having Fun with Mr. Wrong by Celia T. Franklin Read Free Book Online Page B

tables. Bill ordered pad Thai for himself. Carmala quickly decided on the shrimp and veggies with garlic sauce.
    She fought through the noisy chatter around them to explain the details of her job switch to Synergy Plus, Inc. “The terms of employment have been finalized, and I’m starting on October thirty-first.”
    “That’s my girl. Nothing but pure, decisive action. You’ll be much happier. Every time you talk about Synergy, your face brightens up. I think if you spent any more time at Banter you’d turn into an android without knowing it.”
    It amazed Carmala that she and Bill had become such great friends. She feared she’d broken his heart during college. They’d started out as friends and somehow became more. He so wasn’t her type. Not that he was a geek. He’d played quarterback for the Fairmont High Rangers and then for the Temple Owls. Maybe the whole problem with their having a relationship was that he was just too predictable for her.
    The waiter came with their meals.
    “Wow, they seem like they’re in a rush to get us out of here.” Carmala laughed as she dug in her plate of shrimp and veggies. Not caring about the garlic after-breath, she savored the pungent spicy sauce. “How are things by you?”
    Bill hesitated and swallowed before answering. “Speaking of taking action, I’m ready to make a major life decision myself.”
    “You are? What? Hmmm, should I guess?” She gave him a knowing smile.
    “I’m going to pop the question to Jane.” His chin quivered, and he smiled searching Carmala’s eyes as though seeking her approval.
    She had known it was coming. She hadn’t expected it to be now. Jane had just arrived back home from Georgetown Law after taking her bar exam.
    “I finally worked up the courage to ask her. And I’d like you to help me pick out the ring. Tiffany’s, of course.”
    “Of course.” Carmala considered herself a Tiffany connoisseur. She’d started with barely visible diamond stud earrings. Come to think of it, she’d forgotten all about them and didn’t know where those earrings were. She wore the heart and atlas charm bracelets, garnet beaded necklace, and one of the many pairs of earrings she’d purchased there, every day.
    “You’re kidding me?” She feigned a happy look. Although this announcement was going to come sooner or later, she wished it were later. Surprised by how negatively it affected her, she tried to show her happiness for him. After all, she gave Bill up as a romantic partner years ago. Still she couldn’t help wondering what her life would be like if she had accepted his proposal when they were seniors. Maybe she’d be happily settled down now like Margo.
    “I knew this was coming, and of course , I’ll go with you to Tiffany’s. Um…what if she says no? I mean, you have to consider that under the circumstances.”
    “You make it sound like her marrying me would be a hardship. We’ve been seeing each other regularly since her second year in law school. Now that she passed the bar exam, I thought I’d take her for a four-day weekend getaway to Paris and pop the question.”
    Carmala’s heart sank. A Tiffany diamond and a trip to Paris. What else could a girl ask for? She’d wished a man would go to all the trouble for her. Okay, she had to stop the self-pity; this was about Bill. “I remember how badly she hurt you in the past. Are you sure about this?”
    “The past is past. She never meant to hurt me. She wanted to concentrate on her studies at Georgetown. Now that’s behind her. The timing is right.”
    “You thought it was the right time in high school. You guys were prom king and queen, the star quarterback and the cheerleading squad captain, and then, poof, it was all gone. She left you in the dust and wouldn’t talk with you until six years later.” She caught herself. Why did she even bring this up? She needed to be supportive, but she didn’t want Bill hurt because he’d misread Jane’s signals again. Bill