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

partners?”
    Chuckling, I glanced away from her face. “Yeah, I guess you could say that. I hadn’t dated anyone seriously for a long time before Kelly. I was young, single, and healthy. Let’s leave it at that.” For some reason I wasn’t comfortable discussing my single days with Diane. Not embarrassed or ashamed, hell no, but something about her made me want to protect her from the ways of men on the prowl.
    “I figured as much. You’re handsome and nice. Not as sleazy as Donnely. I can see why you were popular.”
    Nodding in agreement, I pushed back from the table. “Those days seem to be behind me for now. I honestly can’t imagine being Donnely’s wingman for the rest of my life.”
    “You’re the settling down type? Is that why you’re with Kelly? When you fall, you fall hard?”
    “Not sure about the hard part, but I’m loyal. If I make a commitment, I’m in. One hundred percent. That’s what has my head all messed up about the Kelly thing.”
    “I’m sure you’ll sort it out soon. She can’t stay ‘almost divorced’ forever. Then you two can move on.”
    “Right.”
    “Okay, then. Looks like we’ve talked ourselves into the awkward corner. Change of subject?”
    “Actually, I need to get going. Early morning tomorrow.” I took my plate and empty pint glass over to the sink.
    “John?” she asked from the table.
    “Yeah?” I turned to face her, keeping the island between us.
    “Sorry I keep prying into your life. I haven’t been alone in a long time, or had real conversations with new people. I’m out of practice. I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable.”
    “No problem. Let’s make a pact next time to talk about work, or dogs, or football. Something neutral.”
    “Well, I don’t think you want to talk about Pilates. And I never watch football. Or have a dog. But I get your point. We can do that.”
    Smiling, I nodded. After whistling for Babe, I thanked Diane for dinner and she thanked me for eating her food in return. Odd, but endearing.

 
     
     
    A FTER LITTLE DELIBERATION , I bought Kelly chocolates for Valentine’s. The idea of shopping for lingerie and running into someone I knew decided it for me. The island was too small, and somehow I knew my luck would follow me over to town where I would’ve run into Sally or one of her gossiping cluster of women. Plus, a bearded guy in Carhartt’s and boots standing amongst a bunch of nighties and bras came too close to Monty Python’s lumberjack. Even I laughed at the image.
    Chocolates, dinner, and sex—we had a classic Valentine’s Day celebration. Kelly acted into it and into me. I couldn’t complain about that or the hot sex with her.
    The complaining happened the next morning when she got in the shower. I asked to join her, but she said she didn’t want to miss the ferry, so I headed downstairs to make us some coffee.
    Her phone rang.
    Normally, I never picked up her phone, but it was ringing and vibrating on the kitchen counter. I reached over to turn it off. Rick’s name flashed on the screen.
    What the hell?
    Curiosity got the best of me and I answered it.
    “Hello.” I tried to sound disinterested.
    “Hello? Who’s this? Is this Kelly’s phone?” His voice revealed his confusion mixed with a touch of anger. He was calling my girlfriend, or whatever she was, how dare he be angry.
    “This is John,” I said. “Kelly’s in the shower. You want to leave a message?”
    “John who?”
    Are you fucking kidding me?
    “John Day, the man whose shower she’s using right now.”
    “Well, John Day, this is Rick, her husband.”
    Like I didn’t know who the fuck Rick was. He either didn’t have the same knowledge of me or he was being a dick and pretending he didn’t. Asshole.
    “Don’t you mean ex-husband? I know who you are.”
    He had the nerve to laugh. Yeah, he was an asshole.
    “Ask her about the ex part when she gets out of the shower, buddy. Have her call me.”
    He hung up.
    No good-bye.