Love Resisted (The Real Love Series) by Melanie Codina Read Free Book Online Page B

continuing, “But it’s a good thing you’re here. She was saying something about climbing a ladder and attaching these balloons everywhere. I tried to tell her that you wouldn’t be happy about that, but she ignored me.”
    Gillian sucked in an indignant gasp before defending herself, “Allie Baxter! What the hell is the matter with you? I’m lucky he doesn’t have me wrapped in bubble wrap, and you go and spout shit like that!”
    Allie smirked and said, “Well, you know you were thinking about doing all that stuff. But it’s not like he believes me, do you Jake?”
    Gillian answered instead, “No, he doesn’t believe you, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t visualizing me doing all that crap, and now he probably won’t let me out of his sight!” Allie looked to Jake whose face was drawn up in tension. Apparently she had taken it a little too far.
    “Oops, my bad. I better go put these balloons out so they don’t go to waste,” she said as she made a hasty retreat from the glares they were both aiming at her.

CHAPTER FOUR
    MIKE made his way into the house and the direction of the party that was going on. He had been to Gillian’s house more than a few times and knew where he would most likely find everyone. There was music playing, people were mingling, and from the looks of the packed driveway, there were plenty of people there to celebrate. Carrying a small bundle of flowers for Gillian, since she was the host, and a card in the other hand for the graduate, he tried to locate his target. Allie had to be around somewhere. He just needed to get his eyes on her and he’d be able to relax—well not entirely, but some. While gazing around, he spotted Gillian making her way toward him with a smile on her face.
    Once she reached him, she once again rose up on tiptoes and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. “Congrats on having a high school graduate.” She pulled away and added, “Did you bring Zane with you? Or is he too cool to hang with us old folks?”
    “Congrats to you, too. And what are you talking about … old folks? I’m the old one here, not you,” he replied.
    With a snort and playful slap on the shoulder, she said, “Give it a rest, there’s only a few years between us, and you’re not even forty.”
    “Thank God for that.” He visibly shuddered at the thought of being forty. “These are for you.” He handed her the flowers, which she accepted before promptly stuffing her nose down into them. “The card is for Jonathan; is there somewhere I should put it?”
    “How sweet of you, on both counts, but you didn’t need to do that. You can put it in that basket over there.” She pointed in the direction of a table that had the cake, a basket of cards, and various presents on it. He discreetly tried to take in the people around him but still hadn’t found Allie. Not wanting to rude, he turned his attention back to Gillian as she hooked her arm in his and said, “Come inside with me so I can put these in water.”
    He dutifully escorted Gillian inside; slightly disappointed he’d not spotted Allie yet. Once in the kitchen, she pointed to a cabinet over the fridge and asked him to retrieve a vase. “I would totally get it myself, but if someone sees me reaching up there and tells Jake, I’ll be covered in bubble wrap and placed in a chair for the rest of the evening.” Shaking her head as she said that, he laughed and watched her fill it with water.
    “Is the pregnancy going okay? Seems like Jake is awfully concerned.” He couldn’t help but wonder if there was a reason Jake was overly protective of her.
    Gillian sighed and smiled. “Yes, the pregnancy is just fine. Poor Jake’s nerves haven’t recovered from when I was injured at the beginning. I don’t blame him. He spent pretty much the first three months wondering if it would all end.” She looked down at her distended abdomen and rubbed it. “But I am well past the point of risk due to being shot. He just hasn’t been