Rising from the Ashes by Jessica Prince Read Free Book Online Page A

slumped back into my chair. “I went for a three-mile run slash walk, and now, God is punishing me.”
    He stared at me like I’d grown a second head. “All this for three miles? You’re kind of a drama queen, aren’t you?” he asked with a cheeky grin.
    “Screw you, asshole! Get out of my office.”
    Ben threw his head back and let out a full belly laugh. “Oh, come on, Savannah. It was just a short little jog. I could do three miles half asleep.”
    I threw my staple remover at Ben’s head, only missing by thiiiis much. “First of all,” I replied defensively, “it wasn’t a short little jog .” I shot him a death glare, hoping to melt the skin off his face. “And secondly, I’m allergic to exercise. Just ask Emmy. She’ll vouch for me!”
    He just stood there, still chuckling.
    “You think it’s funny now, but when I keel over, it’s on you. Don’t say I didn’t warn you. I think I should at least get the rest of the day off.”
    “For what? Being active?”
    “Mental distress due to unnecessary physical activity,” I responded.
    “How about I spring for lunch? You think you can live till then?” Ben asked me.
    I stared up at the ceiling, giving that some serious thought. On one hand, my limbs felt like Jell-O, and I was pretty certain I’d look like a drunk Gumby if I attempted to walk, but on the other hand, I never passed up a free meal.
    “You’ve got a deal.”
    Ben and I shook hands. Then, he left my office, and I went back to my paperweight routine.

    “So, is this place any good?” Ben asked as we walked into Virgie May’s.
    I’d been working hard at avoiding Charlotte, but with Ben next to me, I was able to stand a little taller and not worry about a potential run-in with the one chick I couldn’t stand. Plus, I was really in the mood for a piece of chocolate pie.
    I thought making friends with Ben was one of the best decisions I’d ever made. There was just something about him that made me instantly comfortable. After our little misunderstanding, we’d comfortably fallen into the friend-zone with no issues. I felt a sense of calm around Ben that I hadn’t felt in a long time. I loved all of my friends equally, but maybe the fact that Ben was just mine and I didn’t have to share his friendship with Jeremy was what made it so easy.
    “It’s only the best food in all of Cloverleaf. See…” I declared, pointing to the hand-painted sign in the front window of the diner. “It says so right there.”
    “Well then, it has to be true.”
    We took our seats at a table off in the corner, and Ben started looking over his menu while I scanned the diner for Charlotte. I breathed a sigh of relief when I noticed she wasn’t working.
    “So, what should I get?” Ben asked me, still scanning the menu.
    “You can’t go wrong with the meatloaf, but the smothered pork chops are really good too.”
    “All right, I think I’ll take your word and get the pork chops.”
    “You won’t be disappointed, I promise.”
    A few minutes later, Emmy came walking over to take our order. I could tell by the grin on her face that she’d instantly misinterpreted my lunch with Ben. I was probably going to be grilled about my relationship with him later, and that was the last thing I wanted.
    “Well, hey there, you two. Don’t you look all cozy?”
    I’m gonna punch her in the throat.
    “Hey, Emmy,” Ben replied with a bright smile. “How are you today?”
    “I’m fantastic,” she responded.
    She turned to face me, and I could see her evil mind working.
    “So…is this a date?”
    Then, I’m gonna stab her with my fork.
    “Wow. You’re as subtle as Liberace,” I deadpanned.
    “When have you ever known me to be subtle? That would be like you claiming not to be a drama queen.”
    Ben attempted to stifle a laugh behind his hand, but he failed miserably. Choosing to ignore him, I kept my glare on Emmy.
    “Ben and I are just friends, Emerson .” I used her full name, hoping to get my