It's Only Make Believe by Roseanne Dowell Read Free Book Online Page A

against it. Call it rebellion, but I can’t wait to see their faces either. And best of all, I gave the other ones to Louise and Anna. Wait until they hear that.”
    Sarah shook her head and laughed. “It’s just like you to do something like that, but what do you think Brad is going to say? Surely, he’ll notice the difference in quality also.”
    Michele leaned back. She hadn’t given Brad a thought. Would he notice? Would he even notice the different color on the walls? He’d only been in the room once to sleep and in view of the circumstances, she giggled inwardly, she hadn’t even noticed. They’d been much too busy making love. Heat rose in her face. She lowered her head, buried it in the menu so Sarah wouldn’t’ notice.
    “Well, you certainly had an embarrassing thought.” Sarah wasn’t going to let it pass. Her friend was much too observant not to have noticed.
    “Actually, I was thinking Brad probably wouldn’t notice a difference since he slept in the guest room the other night. We were so tired after the wedding and in such a hurry to leave on our honeymoon in the morning, I hadn’t even noticed.” She hoped that quelled her friend’s inquisitiveness.
    “I think I’m going to splurge and have the ravioli, to heck with the diet tonight.” Sarah changed the subject. Apparently satisfied with the explanation.
    They joked through the rest of the meal the way they used to. Sarah talked about her many conquests in dating.  “I swear, you don’t know how lucky you are to be married, even if it wasn’t your choice. It’s a jungle out there. All the good men are taken, the others only want one thing. Honest, Shell, if I ever find Mr. Right, it’s going to be a miracle.”
    Michele glanced at her watch. “We better go.” She raised her hand toward the waiter for the check. “If there’s anything the O’Neils insist on - its promptness.” She paid the bill and they left.
    Jane O’Neil answered the door. “Michele, what a pleasant surprise. We didn’t expect you to begin until next week.”
    Michele tried to hide her reaction to Jane O’Neil’s whiny voice. Sarah made a face behind her and Michele almost laughed out loud. What price success? Voice aside, Jane was a sweetheart. Pasting on her professional smile, Michele extended her hand, shook Jane’s, and introduced Sarah as her assistant. “We need to take some measurements, and I’ve brought some samples for you to look at. We’ll get together in a few days and you can make your final choices.”  She followed Jane into the dining room and laid out the samples. “I know you want the stainless commercial stove, so I thought a matching refrigerator and aluminum blinds as the window covering will carry on the effect from the appliances.”
    Jane O’Neil ooh’d and aah’d at the plans Michele presented while Patrick O’Neil stood silent. This wasn’t looking good. Were they going to disagree on the project? Michele sneaked a look at Sarah, who stood off to the side, a silly smirk on her face.
    Michele turned away from her friend. “Okay,” she said. “I’m going to take the measurements, and I’ll leave the samples with you. If you have any questions, call me. Otherwise I’ll see you... let’s see.” She flipped through her calendar book. “How about a week from Friday, about two in the afternoon?”
    Jane checked her calendar. “I can be here, but Patrick has a previous engagement.”
    Michele looked at Patrick. “What day is good for you?”
    He shrugged, turned away. “No matter, go ahead and meet with Jane. It’s her kitchen.” His disinterest bothered Michele. This was definitely not a good thing.
    “Okay,” She turned to Sarah. “Let’s take the measurements and we can leave these people to their peace and quiet.” 
    Sarah helped take the measurements. Michele made the proper notations and packed up her briefcase. She shook Jane’s hand. Patrick had already retired to another room. “I’ll see you a