Open Your Eyes by Jani Kay Read Free Book Online

mean.”
    “No… Olivia… so tell me what you really think?” I giggled into my cup. She was always spot on in her judgements of character. Like a faithful dog who hated seemingly nice strangers and then you found out later they were undercover paedophiles. She had a sixth sense and now she directed it at me.
    “ Well, he’s so definitely into you! He could hardly keep his hands off you! Thank goodness Sarah and I are deep sleepers.” She winked, a knowing gleam in her eyes as she studied me.
    “ Why did you say that?” I quickly covered my gaping mouth, horrified that maybe she knew what had happened in the bed next to hers. Even though she was a young adult, I was still her mother…
    “ Why, something to hide, Mother? Why are you blushing like that? Oh, have you been naughty?” She lifted an eyebrow before bursting into laughter. “Sorry, I couldn’t resist. A little bit of payback feels so good. Karma is a bitch, you know.”
    “ Touché!” I raised my coffee cup to her.
    My little Miss Sunshine. She was sharp and witty and confident. Everything I wished I could have been at her age. Olivia looked like a younger version of me; her luscious mouth the only resemblance of her father. A mouth that could turn to scorn as easily as his could if she was not pleased. But mostly she had a good nature and thankfully I wasn’t reminded of the scorn all that often.
    Olivia’s thick and lustrous chocolate brown hair was a lot longer than mine was. Hers surrounded her face like a mane and cascaded down her back; mine had been cut into a chic asymmetrical bob just skimming my shoulders, thanks to Frederique two days ago.
    In sharp contrast with our dark hair, was our lily-white skin and large, periwinkle-blue eyes. It was these striking features that most people commented on when they saw us together.
    What most people didn’t realize was the price we had to pay for our fair skin. We burned like lobsters in the hot Australian sun, a sexy tan was something we lusted after and so we had to settle for a spray tan instead most summers. Go figure.
    Fortunately the absence of a tan, real or fake, wasn’t a big deal in New York. Whenever we were outdoors we donned hats and gloves, with practically only our eyeballs exposed, peering over our thick scarves when the gusty winds swept the city.
    “So when are you seeing him again?” she ventured. “He looked so mussed up when he woke this morning, with you cradled cozily in his arms. Didn’t look like he had much sleep.”
    Her eyes narrowed as she peered at me. “You , on the other hand, are glowing. Something you would like to tell me, Mommy dearest?”
    “Don’t be ridiculous, and mind your own business,” I croaked. Thank goodness I could still pull the mommy card on her. “We’re just friends.”
    “Tell that one to the Mr. Gallagher. You know you can't fool me. But I'm glad for you. It's time you found another man – a good one who makes you happy. Of all the people in the world, you deserve it.” Her eyes darkened for a split second; then the familiar beautiful smile was back.
    “I think you better let me help you with some shopping so you have something nice to wear on your next date. Something sexy .” She giggled, in her element at the prospect of more shopping.
    I imagined my credit card melting as we exited the coffee shop. This time I wasn’t getting out of shopping that easily. She had a good point; the clothes I packed were not only sparse, but also definitely not suitable to impress my new friend.
    In the change rooms, I wriggled my body into a new pair of jeans that were supposed to be nothing like my daughter’s; they promised to lift my ass and make it look shapely. Not only that, supposedly my legs would look longer too. Tall order indeed.
    My cell phone beeped – a message. My stomach tightened into a knot when I recognized the name on the screen. Nick.
    Are you free for dinner tonight? Bring Olivia. Sarah is joining us too. Can't wait to