Love.com by Karolyn Cairns Read Free Book Online Page B

spelling out what her chances were. Not a chance , those looks said. Give it up, Em, not happening, no way, no how .

Chapter Five
     
    Ian was just doing his job. His being nice to her, as any potential client would, shouldn’t have encouraged her. He never said anything to indicate he was aware of her sad, pathetic crush on him. He was always professional and regarded her as such. Maybe he was the asshole his former girlfriend accused him of being? She seriously hoped he was a real fucktard in his private life, relishing Joan’s latest word.
    What would it help to know he was as perfect as he appeared, as nice as he came off, and as desirable as she imagined? At the end of the day, guys like Ian Sawyer didn’t want women like her. They wanted women like Tabitha. Emily looked over at Joan, a light of determination in her gaze.
    “I’ll be careful. I swear I won’t take any chances.”
    “We’re getting you a gun!” Joan huffed and tossed her an angry look. “One false move and you blow the shithead off his bar stool. You got that?”
    “Can we compromise on pepper spray? Somehow shooting a guy might just land me in jail,” Emily joked, trying to sound reassuring. “I’ll be careful. I’ll only meet the guys in public places.”
    “I think you’re out of your damn mind, Em! This is the worst possible time for you to meet anyone, and you know it!”
    Emily ignored her words, knowing it was all she could do to take her mind off her newest obsession. “I refuse to let life pass me by. Eddie ’s gone. I think I’m being proactive in moving ahead.”
    “I think you’re running away from dealing with your grief. Trust me, Em, if you don’t deal with this; it ’ll deal with you. Been there; done it. Wish I had listened to my own advice.”
    “And not enjoyed all those uniformed hunks you hook ed up with?”
    Joan glared at her teasing words. “Some of them were hot; for sure. Some of them were even nice to be with. But most were just random tools I used to fix what couldn’t be fixed. I needed to heal inside, not run around with my panties in my purse.”
    “I’ll keep my panties on . I swear,” Emily promised, breathing heavily as she ran on the mat. “Think of this as therapy. Dating therapy might just be what I need right now. It might be more beneficial than seeing a shrink. It’s not like I’m investing much of anything but my time.”
    “Oh that makes me feel so much better,” Joan grumbled and ran faster. “My best friend is going out with weird guys rather than see a shrink! Dating therapy? Seriously, Em? Trust me when I say you can’t move on until you deal with your issues. When you humbly kiss my ass and say I was right; I won’t rub your nose in it.”
    “I know you won’t,” Emily said and grinned. “You’re a good friend, Joan.”
    “You bet your ass I’m a good friend! The best! Any less of a friend would encourage you right now!”
    “Trust me; I know what I’m doing.”
    “Do you really, Em?” Joan looked doubtful as she slowed down; then came to a halt. Her brown eyes met Emily’s with compassion in them. “You can fool everybody else you aren’t falling apart, but we met in the sandbox. I know you, Em. I know what Eddie meant to you, even if he didn’t deserve you. I’ve been there for you from day one. I wouldn’t bother saying a word if I didn’t care about you. I don’t want you to get hurt! Guys are real assholes, Em! You don’t need that shit right now! Rejection sucks!”
    “I ’m not looking for a husband, just somebody to hang out with,” Emily countered defensively.
    “We’re over thirty now, honey. We don’t hang out anymore. If this is what you want; I’ll support your decision. I think you’ll realize you’re opening another can of worms trying to avoid dealing with your pain.”
    “I’m doing what feels right to me, Joan. I’m not ready to deal with it yet.”
    Joan’s expression softened. “Tell me you’ll deal with it soon and