Send Me No Flowers by Kristin Gabriel Read Free Book Online Page B

see...what did we discuss in my office? I’m sorry, Drew, I just can’t remember. I’ll have to check your file.”
    “File?” he exclaimed. “You’d better not have a file on me. There’s nothing wrong with me.”
    “That’s what they all say.”
    He leaned closer to her, his body blocking the brisk north wind. “Well, you can believe me, Dr. Grant I’m not...you know...what you accused me of before.”
    “What? Of having an overinflated ego?”
    He shook his head in exasperation. “You never said that. You said that I’m impotent!”
    His words elicited several gasps from the crowd, followed by a snort of laughter. He glanced over his shoulder, suddenly aware they weren’t alone. Then he turned back to Rachel, his cheeks Bushed red from either cold or mortification. “Happy now?”
    “Revenge is sweet,” she replied. “And now that we’re even, I suggest we call a truce. Let’s forget about this ridiculous date and go our separate ways.”
    “No way. As you pointed out, we just made that date on live television. No matter how unpleasant it is for either of us, we have to go through with it now.”
    “Let’s not and say we did.”
    He shook his head. “I’m the mayor of this city. I can’t lie to my constituents. And believe me, Candi Conrad is going to want a follow-up story.”
    “Just my luck,” she said, shivering slightly from the cold. “An honest politician. Fine, I’ll go through with it.”
    “You’re enthusiasm overwhelms me. How does Saturday night sound?”
    “I’ll go out with you on one date. Only I choose where and when. Take it or leave it, Lavery.”
    He scowled. “I’ll take it. But our date had better be in this decade. And it better not be at an impotency support group meeting.”
    “Don’t worry. I’ve got something better in mind”
    “I hope so,” he said softly, moving closer to her until the buttons of his overcoat brushed the zipper of her parka. “Rachel, I want to apologize for ambushing you back on the show. I’d like to make it up to you.”
    She didn’t know quite how to react to a gentle, repentant Drew Lavery. “How?”
    “Like this,” he said, taking her in his arms before she had a chance to resist. He gently touched his lips to hers, just for an instant, but long enough for her to realize what a dangerous game they played.
    “You’re right,” he said huskily, his gaze fixed hungrily on her mouth. “Revenge is sweet.”
    Rachel’s cheeks flushed with mortification as she suddenly became aware of the wolf whistles and cheers. Someone in the crowd shouted, “Go for it, Mayor!”
    When Drew turned around to wave to his fans, Rachel realized she’d let him go too far. Submitting to that kiss had been a mistake. A big mistake. One she’d have to rectify as soon as possible.
    No time like the present.
    Drew didn’t see it coming until it was too late, when he turned back to Rachel at just the wrong moment.
    And got a snowball smack in the face.

4
     
    Send me no flowers,
    my position is clear.
    So don’t call me sweetheart,
    honey, darling, or dear.
    RACHEL OPENED THE FRONT door of her apartment Saturday evening to find Gina and Pam standing out in the hallway. They looked excited and eager, like Girl Scouts ready to earn a merit badge. And she had the sinking feeling she was going to be their latest project.
    “Help has arrived,” Pam said, striding into the living room with a bulging bag in each hand. “The fashion police are here.”
    “And none too soon by the looks of it,” Gina said, walking in after her. “You’re not going to wear that on your date with the mayor, are you?”
    Rachel looked down at her red sweatshirt and blue denim jeans. “Why not? It’s clean.”
    Pam looked at Gina. “I told you she’d do everything possible to sabotage this wonderful opportunity. A date with the sexiest man in Love, and my sister is wearing a sweatshirt she bought at a garage sale five years ago.”
    “This is not a real date,”