License to Date by Susan Hatler Read Free Book Online

how he knew Brian’s last name, but then shock rolled through me as I realized what Brian’s second thoughts meant . . . I’d be rappelling down the building by myself!
    I hurried over to Brian and knelt. “You can’t desert me, Brian. I need to do this.”
    He looked queasy. “Not happening.”
    “What about what you said to me earlier? About it being no big deal? That we’re attached to rope and all that garbage?”
    He held his arm up in a weak gesture. “Can you not talk to me right now? I’m trying to keep my lunch from coming back up . . .”
    I stood and marched back to the platform—alone. I was doing this freaking thing. For my cousin. For everyone with diabetes. For me , too. I scanned around for Paul but he’d disappeared. Disappointment flooded through me. It’s not like Paul owed me anything, but I really thought he’d wish me luck. He was at work, though. Maybe they needed him at the bar or in the restaurant. Still, he could’ve at least said good-bye.  
    This was exactly why I was sticking to my home remodel. Men just disappointed me and—
    “You ready to go?” Paul’s husky voice came from behind me.
    Surprised, I swiveled around and faced him. He’d ditched his tuxedo jacket and tie, and was wearing the same black harness I had on.  
    My mouth dropped open. “You’re . . . descending with me? Why?”
    The corners of his eyes crinkled as he smiled. “To keep you company. You didn’t want to go it alone, did you?”
    “Not in the slightest.” I let out a tentative laugh. “But, you’re working. Is it all right for you to do this? I don’t want you to get in trouble for me . . .”
    “Don’t worry.” He winked. “I cleared it with the boss.”
    The beautiful woman returned. “You’re not rappelling are you, Paul? I thought you—”
    “Alice, can you get Dave’s attention for me? We’re ready to go.”
    The woman looked baffled. Like she didn’t know how to respond. “Yes, of course.”
    I leaned toward Paul. “What was that about? I’m not causing a problem for you, am I? Tell me if I am because—”
    “I promise, it’s fine.” His fingers began firmly tracing the harness at my shoulders, then he followed the nylon strap down over my chest—gulp!—and across my waist, then he pulled at the clip in front as if to make sure it was secured tightly.
    “Dave already checked me.” My body tingled at every place his hands had run and I so wanted to check his harness. “You didn’t have to do that.”
    He brushed both sides of my hair back from my face, secured it with a ponytail holder he’d seemed to pull out of nowhere, then left his arms around me as he leaned forward. “Yes, I did.”  
    “You ready, Paul?” Dave appeared, then turned Paul away from me to check his harness as he spoke. “Your friend tossed his cookies by the plant inside the door. I called housekeeping.”
    “Kaitlin’s friend, not mine.”
    Loved how quickly he pointed that out. “He’s more of an acquaintance, actually.”
    Paul raised his brows. “Date number two?”
    “It was for the remodel,” I reminded him, then held my arms up as Dave triple-checked my harness—which wasn’t nearly as enticing as when Paul had done it.
    “You guys are all set.” Dave clipped the ropes onto our harnesses, double-checked them, then gestured to his co-worker giving him the thumbs-up sign. He handed Paul an earpiece. “Facing the platform, you’re going to climb down the three steps, then ease off and the rope will hold you. Remember, straight legs are strong legs so just lean back and walk your way down the building. We’ll lower the rope slowly, so you’ll have time to enjoy the view. Give us a shout in the earpiece if you want us to increase or decrease the speed. Sound good?”
    “Yes,” Paul said.
    I swallowed when Dave turned to me. “Yes.”
    “Who wants to go first?” Dave looked at each of us.
    Paul turned to me. “You have a preference?”
    “Second,” I said, without