Penny Serenade by Ann Cory Read Free Book Online Page A

was true, “but he’s not really interested in me or my shop. And probably not in the planetarium either. He’s just trying to make up for being a jerk.”
    Betsy moved around the shop, checking out the new candle holders. “How can you be certain, if you hardly know him, dear?”
    “Trust me, he hates everything my shop represents,” she said. “He calls the stuff I sell new age crap.”
    “Perhaps someone rather than something in the shop caught his eye.”
    Audrey couldn’t help but smile. Betsy was a hopeless romantic, where she wasn’t. “You’ve read one too many of those bodice rippers in your day,” she teased. “It has warped your mind.”
    “I do like those books, guilty pleasures. Tell me, what’s his name?”
    “Dominic.” Saying his name sent flickers of heat along her body.
    “It suits him. Strong and warrior-like. I picked up good energy from him, dear.”
    Wait, what was going on here? Betsy was supposed to be on her side, but instead it sounded like she was Dominic’s biggest fan. How frustrating. “Well I don’t get that,” Audrey snapped. “He gives off signals that I can’t read. I’d hardly call it good.”
    “That’s because your hormones are registering something else, dear.”
    Audrey almost choked on her spit. “Oh my word, they are not. Leave my hormones out of this.”
    Betsy’s lips curved. “I’ve lived a long time, dear, and I’m rarely wrong about people. It would be good for you to get out and spend time with a nice young man.”
    “First of all, he isn’t that nice,” she said in defiance. “And second of all, I don’t feel like I’m missing out on anything. I have my work and my…housework.” To hear how little she had going on in her life bummed her out. Much as she loved her shop it didn’t leave time for many other things. “Oh, and my garden.”
    “You’re too independent for a woman of your age.”
    Her brows crinkled. “What does that mean? I only need to worry about myself, so of course I’m independent.   I like not worrying about what someone else thinks and feels, or worrying about making changes for someone to fit their mold of how I should be.”
    “You’ll change your mind someday, dear. It will sneak up on you.”
    “I’m not of the hurry up and marry mindset,” Audrey argued.
    Betsy chortled. “I’m not suggesting marriage, it’s much too soon. Enjoy his company tonight and be open to where it goes later.”
    “Yeah, yeah. He might be handsome, and okay, somewhat charming, but I don’t expect anything to come of it. I don’t even remember how to date.” She realized her error and backpedaled. “I don’t mean date, more like, I don’t know how to socialize with men anymore.”
    “It will all come back to you, dear. You’ll have to let your guard down some.”
    “I don’t intend to do any such thing.” Audrey jutted out her chin for emphasis.
    “You might find yourself having a good time if you do.” The elderly woman straightened up the bookshelf and turned her big brown eyes at her. “You’re a passionate woman, dear. Don’t deny yourself life’s little pleasures by holding the reins too tight.”
    She balked at the idea of passion. The only passion she had experienced in the past few years came from sexy calendars and her fingers. While Dominic did succeed in stirring her desire, eventually he’d talk and that ruined the big picture. “I’m not about to give up my control to or for anyone, especially for some new age naysayer.”
    Betsy’s smile suggested she knew better, and Audrey had a sinking feeling it was true.
    “All right, dear. I better get home. I have an aura reading in an hour. Have a nice time tonight.”
    “Doubtful. At least we’ll be in the dark so I can pretend he isn’t there.”
    “Or you two can make-out.”
    The suggestion made her face burn. “Oh stop it. It’s a star show, not the movies.”
    “I don’t recall a single movie the entire time Lucas and I dated. Regardless