Rewind (A Perfect Forever Novella) by Susan Ward Read Free Book Online Page A

you can take the meeting with Rafe today without me and cover things around here for a while? I’m going to be gone for the rest of the day and probably tomorrow as well.”
    Justin smiles. I’ve finally said something that pleases him. “Sure, Kaley. I’ll do the pitch meeting with Rafe.”
    I nod. “Thanks.”
    I hurry out of the conference room and back to the safety of my office. I lean against the closed door, breathing heavily. I suddenly feel frantic and shaky, desperate, and like the only thing that will make any of this better is to run to Bobby.
    I want him to know I love him. I want him to know I trust him. It isn’t him that makes me act the way I act at times. It isn’t him, and he’s known it all along and has loved me anyway.
    I feel on the verge of both laughter and tears, and I can’t make sense of that any more than I can explain the rest of this crazy day. Without need for thought, I decide my next move.
    I’m out of here. I’m going back to Simi Valley and telling that wonderful guy he was right about everything.
    I reach for my purse on the desk. Ding. I look at the computer screen. Shit, I must have forgotten to log out of my Fembot blog last time I was here. The chat box is patiently waiting.
    I drop into my chair. I open it, already knowing it’s my cyber fan waiting there.
    Love-struck Trainer: You weren’t drinking and blogging last night. Hot date?
    I lift my hands above the keys.
    Rapid typing: I’m not going to be blogging anymore.
    Waiting. Waiting.
    Love-struck Trainer: Why? I’ll miss our nightly chats.
    Without hesitation, I type: I just found a  perfectly perfect guy.
    Love-struck Trainer: What makes him perfectly perfect?
    Now that is a question.
    Response: He knows me completely and loves me anyway.
    Before Love-struck Trainer can respond, I log off and shut off the computer.  By the time I get to the double glass doors, I’m practically running out of the building.
     
    From the parking lot I text Bobby. I wait in the truck. No answer. Maybe he’s not back to the foundation yet. Maybe he’s tied up with the dogs.
    I take a detour to Pacific Palisades. Forty minutes later I’m pulling into my parents’ driveway and I don’t even know why I’m here.
    I climb from the truck and hurry up the front walk. When I open the front door, the first thing I notice is that the house is quiet. Mom’s not here. Only Dad. The house is never quiet when Mom is here.
    I peek into the rooms as I make my way to the back of the house. I open a French patio door and step out. I spot my dad sitting in a chaise lounge staring out at the ocean.
    “Hi, Pop.”
    My father leans forward and looks over his shoulder to face toward me as I cross the lawn. “There goes my quiet,” he teases and then laughs. “Unannounced visit. Which is it? Problem or money, Kaley?”
    I roll my eyes and sink down on a chaise beside him. “Can’t I just stop by without a reason?”
    “Sure you can.” He smiles. “That’s the best kind of visit. How’s my girl? You look tired.”
    “Tired, huh? Thanks a lot. I’ve been working some long hours, finishing a project, but I’m going to take some time off now.”
    “Don’t let yourself burn out. It’s a marathon not a sprint.”
    I crinkle my nose. “Do you save all these trite axioms for me or do you have other ones for the other kids?”
    My dad laughs and relaxes back against his chair. “I have loads for all you kids thanks to your grandfather.”
    I laugh, pulling my legs up in front of me to hug my knees. Oh, Grandpa Jack. Mom’s dad. He definitely has an axiom for every occasion.
    “So, what miracle did you work to get some alone time, Pop?”
    “I’m not alone. Khloe is somewhere.”
    “Shouldn’t you check on her if you don’t know where she is?”
    My dad sighs. “I was just about to do that when you showed up.” His magnificent black eyes fix intensely on me. “Is everything OK?”
    I flush. “Sure. I told you. Great.”
    “Then