Ready to Fall by Daisy Prescott Read Free Book Online Page A

never considered my clothes as a personal statement. They serve their purpose. Never been one of those guys who wears fancy socks or designer jeans.”
    “It’s refreshing. Something about being on the island lets me shake off all the pretension of the city.” She tugged at her messy bun. “I never would have had company for dinner dressed in work-out clothes or without a shower first. I got a job today.”
    “Does the job explain the smell?”
    “It might. You know the Pilates studio in Langley?”
    My blank stare told her I didn’t.
    “Well, I’ve been taking classes there and they needed a new teacher. I’m filling in and it might be permanent.”
    “They’ll let anyone teach classes?”
    “Oh, no. You have to be trained. I’ve taken Pilates since college. In New York, I took so many classes, my instructor suggested I complete the training because there were no other advanced levels beyond what I took. I had plenty of time on my hands. I’ve never officially taught before, though. The job of Pilates instructor wasn’t posh enough for the Woodleys.”
    “Well, good for you. Work related stink I can support. I intended to comment on the stench, but didn’t want to be rude.” I grinned at her.
    “Oh, no. I do smell, don’t I?” A look of horror passed over her face.
    “Not that I noticed. All I smell is your fabulous cooking. I was teasing.”
    “You do that a lot,” she said.
    “Do what?”
    “Tease. Is it me, or is that one of your standard forms of communicating?”
    Her question took me off guard. I’d never thought about it. “I didn’t realize I was a tease, although I have a reputation for being a flirt.” I held her gaze, testing her to see if she’d look away quickly. She didn’t.
    “Flirting and teasing can be the same thing. Since you have a girlfriend, I guess you’re teasing.”
    “Does it bother you? I can try and stop.” The offer felt hollow. I liked teasing her and getting her to laugh.
    “I doubt you could stop.” She clearly didn’t buy my bullshit offer. “And I don’t mind. At all. It’s been a long time since a boy pulled my ponytail.”
    “That’s what I’m doing? Ponytail pulling?” I reached over and tugged on her bun.
    Swatting my hand away, she said, “Didn’t say it’s a bad thing. I can’t tell you the last time a guy flirted with me. I was starting to think I’d lost all my appeal.” Her words were light, but between the lines I could see her hurt. Mr. Perfect had done a number on her.
    “If you’re fishing for compliments, let me tell you, you have nothing to worry about.” I touched her arm before pulling my hand back and rubbing my beard. “Don’t forget Donnely at the Doghouse. He was all about hitting on you.”
    “Ah, Donnely. Does his line ever work? The whole gooey duck thing?”
    “You’d be surprised. He’s very popular with the ladies. Not that he ever sticks with anyone long enough. If people don’t call him Donnely, they call him Tom Cat for good reason.”
    “Oh, really?” Interest sparked in her eyes. “I figured he was teasing the new girl, kind of like you do.”
    “Seeing who you were and if you were up for fun was part of it for sure. If you were willing, you could have gone home with him that night. Probably still could. He isn’t easily discouraged.” My words sounded harsher than I meant.
    “Thanks for the warning. Like I said last night, I’m not up for a relationship and am going to avoid the “L” word for as long as possible, but it doesn’t mean I want to live like a nun.”
    “Well, Donnely would be more than willing to flirt with you. Give him an inch and he’ll take a foot.” Was I warning her against Donnely or approving of this? “Just know what you’re getting in to with him.”
    “His bed, probably, from what you’re saying.”
    I nodded. “Yep. Pretty much sums it up.”
    She eyed me and tapped her index finger against her lip in thought. “Before Kelly, were you and Tom pick-up