Playing for Keeps by Kate Perry Read Free Book Online Page B

words had ever crossed Nell’s lips.
    She sighed. “Riley and I can’t agree on anything. We haven’t set a date yet because he wants it at the beginning of October and I want it at the end. The beginning works better with his schedule but it conflicts with my finance convention. And he wants to do the guest list first and then decide on a budget, but that’s so backwards. You have to do the budget first so you know how much to spend, right?”
    I nodded, but I’m hardly an expert with money. I was thrilled when my bank offered online services because it meant I didn’t have to continue the pretense of balancing my checkbook.
    “And we just found out that his parents are stopping by on their way to Mexico and we don’t know where to put them.”
    “Riley doesn’t have space in his apartment?” I’d never seen it, but I’d pictured it to be huge.
    “No. His place isn’t much bigger than mine.”
    Which meant it was huge.
    “So Riley thought he could crash at my place so they could have his, but I don’t know.” Her brow furrowed. “It seems like such an invasion of my space.”
    “Uh, Nell?” I covered her hand with mine. “You’re marrying the man. In a few months, you’re going to be living with him all the time.”
    “I know,” she wailed.
    “If you aren’t ready to get married, wait a little while. It won’t hurt to wait a few more months.”
    “No, I really do want to marry Riley. I love him.” She swiped at the drops that leaked from her eyes. “I’m going to stop by his apartment and straighten everything out. I’ll see you in the morning, okay? Our first dress appointment is at ten.”
    I only cringed a little. “Sure.” I gave her a hug and walked her to the door.
    George was waiting for us on the stoop. He had something dangling from his mouth, something that looked suspiciously like one of the white tulips I’d planted in the garden this year.
    Nell shoved George down the steps before I could get a closer look. “See you later, Gracie.”
    I tried peering around her but she kept moving, hiding him from my view. I glanced at the flowerbed and, sure enough, an entire row of tulips was gone.
    “Next time keep that mutt locked in your car,” I yelled. Nell has selective hearing so I wasn’t positive she heard me.
    I stomped back into the kitchen and decided to exorcise my anger by cooking dinner.
    An hour later, I had a pot of meat sauce simmering and pasta ready to boil when and if anyone came home this evening. Daddy should have been home by now, but given the way he’d been acting lately I’d have been surprised to see him. It was Friday night—who knew where Chloe was?
    Empty house. That meant one thing: bath time.
    Our house has two full bathrooms as well as a half bath downstairs. You’d think I’d be able to soak in peace once in a while. No such luck. Every time I go to soak, whichever bathroom I pick gets invaded, usually by Chloe but occasionally by my dad. It’s almost worth it to watch him flush deep red. Even Nell interrupts from time to time. I think she times her visits specially to catch me in the tub.
    It was rare to find myself home alone, and I intended to exploit it. I took the stairs two at a time, ran down the hall, and locked myself in.
    I frowned at my nearly empty bottle of bubble bath. It was half full the last time I used it.
    Chloe.
    Shaking my head, I poured what was left in the tub and waited for it to fill before stepping in.
    I felt infinitely better even with just my pinky toe wet. By the time I’d completely submerged my body I was in heaven. I took my hair down, dropped the rubber band on the floor, and dunked my head.
    What was it about baths that were so soothing?
    I let myself drift, lackadaisically creating bubble sculptures. I didn’t know how much time went by before the door began to rattle.
    “Gracie, are you in there?”
    “Go away, Chloe.”
    “I have a date tonight and I need to get ready.” Pounding on door. “Let me in.