Just One Touch: A Black Alcove Novel (The Black Alcove Series Book 3) by Jami Wagner Read Free Book Online Page B

need to go to the store too. So if I
need to go and you need to go, we could go at the same time.” He
pauses to look over his shoulder as he pulls garlic bread out of the
oven. “Unless, of course, you don’t like to grocery shop with
other people.”
    “I guess there’s
nothing wrong with that, but what makes you so sure you’ll want to
hang out with me again after tonight? I mean, I could be crazy and
you’re only minutes away from finding that out.”
    Pulling two plates from
his cupboard, he flashes me a grin that warms my cheeks instantly.
“What type of crazy are you talking about?”
    Although he makes me
nervous, it’s as though my mind and lips have their own plan.
    “What kind of crazy
can you handle?”
    Plate midair, he
freezes and stares at me. My body is drawn to him. I take a step and
so does he. Then my phone rings.
    Brought out of my daze,
I pull my phone out of my pocket. It’s an unknown number. Normally
I wouldn’t answer it, but it could be the gym.
    “Hello.” I step
into the hall as I see Conner dishing out our plates.
    “Hi, is this Alexis?”
    “This is,” I
answer, a little thrown because no one has called me by my full name
in more than two years.
    “This is Maggie from
the gym. We would like to offer you the position, if you’re still
interested.”
    “I am, yes. That
would fantastic.”
    “Great, can you start
on Thursday? That’s two days from now.”
    “Yes, I can.”
    “We’ll see you at
three in the afternoon.”
    “Perfect, thank you.”
    I hang up and feel a
huge weight lift off my shoulders. I step back into Conner’s
apartment to find him sitting on the couch, both plates ready to go
with a glass of milk on the coffee table in front of his plate and
mine.
    “My place is kind of
a mess. I hope this is okay.”
    “It’s great.” I
say, taking the seat next to him.
    We eat in silence,
probably because I am famished and because it is some damn good
pasta. Before I know it, I’m leaning back against his couch,
watching The Hangover on his television as though it were something I did each day. Conner
stands, reaching for my plate.
    “Oh, I can get
these.” I push off the couch and try to take his plate. He objects
and grabs mine out of my hand.
    “I don’t invite
beautiful women over just to watch them do the dishes. No way. If you
want to clean up, next time dinner is at your place.”
    I think he just asked
me out again.
    “Okay. I should get
going anyway.” I don’t want to intrude for too long.
    “At least stay until
the movie is over.”
    Again, I lean back and
nod. Sure, why not?
    “So I know my sister
asked you this, but what made you pick Wind Valley to move to?”
    This is a question I
have a rehearsed answer for.
    “I opened up a map,
picked a state then a town at random and here I am. I just wanted
something different.”
    “I don’t think I
could ever do that. Not even before Jake. I’ve always liked knowing
where I’m going and why.”
    “Jake is very sweet
and polite. From my brief meeting with him, I can see you’ve done a
great a job raising him.” I switch the subject like I always do
when the questions are about me.
    Conner comes back to
the living room, a sad smile on his face.
    “Thanks, that’s
really nice to hear. We had a bit of a rough start, but things are
going well now.”
    Somewhere in that
sentence I pick up that there is bigger story than what he letting
on. I know exactly how he feels, and because I wouldn’t want him to
do it to me, I don’t pry.
    “You should be proud”
is what I say instead.
    “He’ll actually be
back next weekend, and a friend of mine is having a barbeque at his
new house. He isn’t moved in yet. I think that’s what the
barbeque is for, kind of have people over and stuff before everything
is moved in or maybe he’s luring us over there to help him move. My
sister and Beth will be there—you should come.”
    “Oh, I’m not sure.”
    “Come on, Logan and
Sara won’t mind.”
    That