Plunge by Heather Stone Read Free Book Online

ago from cancer.” This I knew from working for his dad. It was a sad time for everyone and Paul took it extremely hard.
    “I’m sorry,” I say lamely.
    He gives me a small smile. “I want to know more about you.”
    “Like?” I ask cheekily.
    “What’s your middle name?”
    Oh God. He’d have to ask. I scrunch my nose at him.
    “That bad, eh?” He laughs.
    “Ruby.” I cringe.
    “Samantha Ruby Brighten. That has a ring to it.” He chuckles.
    “It’s a family name. My great grandmother’s name was Ruby. So, of course, the oldest would be blessed with it.” I roll my eyes and send a silent sorry up to my grams.
    I have to use the ladies room, so I scan the room to see where it is. Just as the door to the bathroom comes into view, a woman walks out. Her face looks vaguely familiar but the light is so dim. I can’t be sure where I know her from. Our eyes meet and hers dart from me to Adam and back again, a scowl present on her flawless face. Her eyes narrow and she continues to stare at me as she walks back to the bar to join the man she’s with.
    With eyes still fixed on me, she pulls out her phone and starts to type. A phone pings and I look around to see where the sound is coming from. Adam pulls his phone out and swipes the screen. Our bodies are so close I can’t help but peek over to see what the text says.
    Carly: You left me for that?
    A chill runs up my spine. Who the hell is that? I take one closer look and it hits me like a freight train. She’s CoxlvrCarly.
    I feel sick.

12 Adam
    F uck .
    Why does she have to be here tonight? My relationship with Sam is too young to deal with the unspoken elephant in the room.
    This night was supposed to go smoothly.
    “Sam, I’m so sorry.”
    She shakes her head and lifts her hands to placate me, but I can see it on her face. She looks like she could throw up.
    “She was a means to pay my bills without taking handouts from my dad. I know that sounds disgusting and pig-headed, but trust me, it was all business for her, too. She’s just pissed because I’ve told her our arrangement is over and she needs to get a new partner.”
    She nods a couple of times, contemplating what I’ve said and I’m sure deciding whether to believe me. “So, you’re not going to do the films anymore, right?”
    “God, no, Sam, that’s over. I want to see where this goes with you. I-we-this is not the place to talk about it. Do you want to get out of here?”
    She puts her head in her hands. “Yes, I’m sorry, Adam. I’m not hungry anymore.”
    That makes two of us.
    I stand and make my way around the table to pull out her chair. I had such high hopes for tonight and once again my past has to fuck it all up. She glances up at me and gives me a small forced smile. This night may have gone to hell, but it’s not over yet. We walk through the restaurant, not making eye contact with any of the patrons and steering as far away from the bar and Carly as we could.
    Once we get through the front door, Sam takes off like someone lit her on fire. I jog after her, coming up to her side. “Sam, wait.” She keeps going, not paying me any attention. “Samantha, stop.” I grab her wrist lightly and twist her to face me.
    “Let go, Adam. I don’t feel like talking.”
    “We’re going to sit here and talk this out if it takes all night. It’s not like I don’t have a past, Samantha, and you certainly knew about it before you got involved with me.”
    She scoffs. “That’s the issue. I knew better but I did it anyway.”
    She might as well have slapped me across the face. My body jars back with the verbal blow. She stops and I watch her body sag in defeat.
    “I’m sorry, Adam. That wasn’t fair. I’m just trying to process everything and I’m not doing a very good job right now. You’re right, I did know about your past, but it’s different when it’s staring me in the face. She’s so pretty and I just can’t compete with your history.” She looks completely