Running Back by Allison Parr Read Free Book Online Page A

Yeah, sure.”
    Rachael looked at me consideringly.
    “I bet that’s just his agent talking.” The wine felt warm and fuzzy, like a blanket draped over my sensibility. “A selling point. Each player needs a distinctive trait, something that will make them stand out. Mem’rable. Memorable.”
    “Interesting. What’s Ryan’s?”
    I didn’t even hesitate. “That he’s pretty.”
    Rachael laughed until she had to sit down. “That’s true. But don’t tell him. He’s vain enough as is.”
    Across the room, Keith got up, leaving the seat next to Mike open. I eyed it.
    Rachael nudged me. “Go on.”
    Okay. Yes. If he was going to Dundoran—and I was going to Dundoran—well, I’d done my research, and there was only one inn in the village’s vicinity. Better go over there and make nice instead of spending the next two weeks freaking out over what would happen if—when—we ran into each other across the pond.
    When I plunked down beside him, his eyes immediately rose to mine.
    I folded my hands in my lap and looked up at him, trying to think of the exact way to break the news.
    He took one look at me and groaned. “I don’t want to hear it.”
    Okay, that was totally fine too. I mimed zipping my lips and throwing away the key, with wide, exaggerated gestures and an unwavering gaze.
    His brown eyes glinted with what might have been humor. “Good.”
    I nodded and leaned back against the couch. My forehead wrinkled and a small, sad frown pulled at my mouth.
    “What?”
    I leaned closer, as though reluctant to admit a tragic truth. “You’re not as charming as everyone says you are.”
    He scowled at me and took a long pull of his drink. “I’m charming when I want to be.”
    I laughed.
    He took another sip and thunked his drink down. And then, just like during dinner, everything about his demeanor changed. He propping his elbow on the couch back, he grinned down at me. “So do you do this to all your landowners? Chase them down and beg them to change their minds? Or am I special?”
    “Kilkarten’s special.”
    “Huh.” He leaned back, but kept his gaze trained on my face. Butterflies started fluttering around my ribcage. “You know, I don’t think that’s it.”
    I tilted my head and he leaned close to my ear, close enough that I could feel his breath. “Admit it. You’re just here because you like me.”
    “What?” I sat straight up.
    He laughed. “What’s that look of alarm? Struck too close to home?”
    I scowled at him. “I don’t like you.”
    “You sure of that? Or you have a boyfriend?”
    I wanted to lie and say yes, but the word wouldn’t come, and his smile broadened. But he released me from his gaze right before I could no longer breathe. “Don’t tell Rachael. She’d never admit it, but she likes to matchmake. See that girl over there?”
    I followed his nod, feeling the slightest tinge of pink dusting my cheeks. “Yeah.”
    “That’s Olivia Perez. Rachael met her at a farmer’s market. Or something. She’s been trying to set her up with Dylan for two weeks. Only,” he said, lowering his voice, “Rachael doesn’t know that Dylan’s been lusting after her friend Eva for months. Which he’ll never admit, ’cause she’s crazy about her boyfriend.”
    My eyes skipped to all the involved players, feeling like I was watching a play.
    “Rach’s real project is Abe. Abe seems like he’d be easy to set up—he’s friendly, eager to make Rachael happy, good guy all around, but he never stays interested in anyone too long.”
    “Maybe he’s secretly in love with Rachael.”
    He smiled at me. His gaze was direct and disarming, and my whole body flushed. “You know, I thought that too, but it’s much more of a sibling thing. No, I think there’s some girl from his past—which is funny, because Abe’s the least burdened person I’ve ever met.”
    I studied Abe. He gestured wildly in the air as he told some story, and it made me laugh.
    “You have a pretty