Not Quite Perfect (Not Quite Series Book 5) by Catherine Bybee Read Free Book Online Page B

California. They’d exchanged phone numbers . . . but her phone never rang.
    Because of Dakota’s connection to the Fairchilds through Walt and Monica’s friendship, Mary had found herself face-to-face with Glen a half a dozen times over the last year. Each one her heart kicked a little harder, each time she was reminded that he wasn’t interested enough to initiate a real date, each encounter left her a little heartbroken.
    She understood. He was as commitment-phobic as any wealthy bachelor should be. Mary remembered saying nearly those exact words to him within hours of meeting the man. Probably not one of her best decisions. Analyzing people and recognizing what motivated them to do the things they did—or in this case, not do the things they should—was her job. Keeping her analysis to herself was close to impossible.
    Dakota had warned her for years to keep her mouth shut unless she was kissing someone.
    Mary didn’t listen.
    Her stomach started to rumble when the smell of food blew in from the hall. She’d been at the hospital for two solid days and needed a little solitude. Having been on her own most of her life, she could only take a large family for so long before she needed to be alone. It was something she and Dakota had in common.
    Walt’s parents were talking about leaving and checking into a hotel so Walt could have some privacy at home, but Dakota’s parents had been at the hospital a few hours and showed no signs of leaving anytime soon.
    “I have a block of rooms waiting at The Morrison,” Monica announced.
    “Oh, that’s perfect,” Dr. Eddy said. “Then we can all ride in together tomorrow.”
    “How about giving me a call in the morning before rushing over. The orthopedic said he’d be by first thing in the morning to cast Dakota’s leg. I’m going to push to have her discharged,” Walt said.
    “Why the hurry?” Elaine asked.
    “She’ll heal faster at home.”
    “Hospitals are full of germs,” Monica added.
    Mary listened to the exchange at a distance. “I have clients in the morning,” she said as she stood, grabbing her purse. “If you need anything, I’m a phone call away.”
    Dakota offered a tired smile.
    “Does anyone need a ride?” Mary asked in slight encouragement for the others in the room to leave.
    “We’re okay,” Walt’s parents chimed in together.
    “All right then. Everyone has my number.” She leaned over and kissed Dakota’s cheek. “I’ll see you at home.”
    “Thanks, Mary.”
    She drove with the windows down to push the hospital smell from her head. Instead of driving straight to her empty house, broken toilet, and a microwave dinner . . . she decided to make a detour to the beach. It was after six and most of the beach crowd had left hours before. Spring in Southern California offered beach weather on most days, but the time shift and the cooler nights kept people from lingering too long.
    Mary kept a beach blanket and a simple chair in her trunk on standby for nights like this. Nights where she felt the melancholy setting in and when she analyzed her life way too closely. Watching the sun set and the tide pull in reminded her of how lucky she was. How rich she was for the friendships she had and the blessings she’d been given. She didn’t think she used the beach for meditation, but in a way she did.
    She snuggled into a thick sweater, slung her purse over her shoulder, and stepped onto the warm sand. Once she was close enough to hear the waves but not right on top of the water, Mary spread out her blanket and set up her chair.
    There wasn’t a cloud in the sky, but with the sun low on the horizon the air had a perfect crispness to it. She closed her eyes and faced the breeze. The salt air cleansed the taste of the hospital from her palate.
    Dakota had looked exhausted. Her normally snarky comments were mild at best as the day had trailed on.
    Even Walt appeared worn out.
    The grandparents, both sets, were on fire, competing to