London Bound by Jessica Jarman Read Free Book Online Page B

accusingly directly into the camera, “are flattering to no one , and I’ve known you pretty much my whole life, so I’m well versed in all of Megan Forester Stevens’ facial expressions. And the current one is...” She tapped her chin thoughtfully. “I think I’ve fucked up and don’t know what to do now. Did I get it? I did, didn’t I? I got it right.”
    “Are you alone?” The last thing Meg needed was for Caro’s husband or kids to be hearing any of this.
    “Yeah, I’m up in the bedroom, escaping movie night. It was the boys’ choice tonight, and I can’t handle the explosions and gunfire. Why? What happened, Meg?”
    “I fucked up and don’t know what to do now?” she joked pathetically.
    “Okay...” The picture went crazy a moment before Caro set her computer on the bed and settled in front of it. “Tell me what’s going on.”
    Meg blew out a slow breath. “You know the guy I was telling about downstairs?”
    “The dickhead? Yeah.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, has he been worse? What did he do? Did you fight, argue? You’re having to hide out in your apartment just to avoid the ass, aren’t you? Honey, you don’t have to do that. Just...go get a hotel somewhere instead. Fuck him.”
    “God, I missed you. No, it’s nothing like that. He actually turned out to be pretty decent. Helped me fend off an idiot at the pub, and we talked a bit.” She closed her eyes and just blurted it out. “I slept with him.”
    When only silence answered her declaration, she opened her eyes and was met with the image of Caro wide-eyed and gaping.
    “I slept with him, Caro,” she whispered. “I don’t know what I was thinking. So stupid and impulsive and—”
    “Shut up! Quit beating yourself up.” Caro narrowed her eyes. “How was it?”
    “How was it? Are you kidding? I’m telling you I just had a one-night stand with some guy I don’t know, and you’re asking me how it was?”
    “Yes, because I’m a damned good friend, and that’s what we do!” She threw her hands up in the air then sighed. “What are you freaking out about exactly? Was it that bad? So bad a repeat performance is out of the question, and you need to avoid him? Well, what I said before stands—forget the apartment and go get a hotel room somewhere. You can certainly afford it.”
    “No, it wasn’t bad . Christ, Caro!” Meg scrubbed her palms over her face.
    “Then, what? You got laid; that’s awesome. Why the freak out?” She sighed again. “Is this about Scott?”
    Meg pressed her lips together and shook her head.
    “Because if it is,” Caro continued, “that’s idiotic. He’s been gone a long time, honey. My brother loved you so much, and he sure as hell wouldn’t want you sitting around alone, avoiding relationships at any cost.”
    “I’m not avoiding anything,” she protested. “And there’s a world of difference between pursing a relationship and having a one-night stand with the hot, way-younger neighbor.”
    “Hmmm. How hot, and how much younger? Paint me a picture.”
    Meg laughed, even though the panic still raced through her mind.
    “He’s blond, built, knows what he’s doing. And I don’t know how much younger. God, I don’t know...” she whined.
    “So long as he’s legal, sister, all’s good.”
    “Of course he’s legal! He’s not that young, just younger .” She sat back, defeated. “He was so rude before, but last night, he was so sweet and funny and...perfect. He listened and seemed to care. What if all that was just an act? To get into my pants? To score with the older woman who was probably a sure thing?”
    “Meg.”
    “What?” She didn’t care for the censure in her friend’s voice. “It’s possible.”
    “You said he was hot, so why would he have to settle for the sure thing? Your words !” she reminded loudly when Meg opened her mouth to protest. “Besides, that’s not what you’re worried about, what you’re upset about.”
    Meg shook her head. “You’re