Speaking of Love (Perfect Kisses) by Ophelia London Read Free Book Online Page B

jumped. “Adoption? Things aren’t that bad for you, are they?” She put a hand on Mac’s arm. “Don’t worry. I know you’ll find someone someday. Don’t give up.”
    Greg was suddenly at her other side. “I know some guys at work,” he said. “They’re not all that educated, but at least you won’t have to adopt—”
    “No!” Mac cut him off, laughing. “You guys, I’m not adopting a baby .”
    “You’re not?” Justine looked confused.
    Mac shook her head. “It’s a greyhound rescue program.”
    “Why do buses need to be rescued?” Greg asked, scratching his head.
    Mac turned to him with a sisterly smile. “The dogs ,” she explained. “The ones that race. They retire from racing when they’re still young and have to be adopted.”
    “You want a…dog,” Justine said, her words slow and measured.
    Mac leaned against the counter. “I do,” she said. “But I think my apartment is too small and I don’t have a big enough yard. This program has really strict regulations. I don’t think I qualify.”
    “That sucks,” Justine said.
    Mac nodded. “Tell me about it.” Feeling annoyed at the slight pressure building behind her eyes, Mac walked to the refrigerator and pulled open the door, already knowing there wouldn’t be anything interesting inside. She shut the fridge and opened the pantry. Cheetos. Bingo!
    “Getting back to the subject,” Justine said. Then she eyed the Cheetos. “Oh, can I have some?”
    “Don’t get any on the white towels.” Mac handed her the open bag.
    “You’re beyond anal, sis.”
    Mac heard the TV come on in the other room. “Greg, before you claim your spot for the evening, order a pizza,” she called out.
    “Where’s the phone?” her brother hollered back.
    “Right next to you!”
    “Oh.”
    Mac rolled her eyes. “So, what subject are we getting back to?” she asked Justine.
    “Rick Duffy,” Justine said. “It really is for the best. It would give Dad a heart attack.”
    “Rick’s not a bad guy,” Mac said, licking a spot of orange powder off her fingertip.
    Justine shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. Dad would go ballistic if he found out you were dating his kid.”
    Mac didn’t need the reminder. The fact that Duffy’s company was responsible for closing the factory that her father had worked at for fifteen years was never far from her mind when she was with Rick.
    “I know that.” Mac groaned.
    “The man just shut the whole place down with hardly any warning!”
    “I know , Juss.”
    “Dad was never the same after that.”
    “It wasn’t Rick’s fault,” Mac said. “He was in high school at the time.” She paused, a little amazed that she was defending him. Weren’t Justine’s words the same thoughts Mac had only a few nights ago at the Chamber dinner with Rick?
    “Doesn’t matter.” Justine shook her head. “Dad will say the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Have you forgotten how long it took for him to find another job? Our parents got divorced because of that,” she added, her voice catching. “Do you really think you could ever invite him over for a family dinner?”
    “No,” Mac said, getting a heavy feeling in her chest. “That’s one of the reasons why I’m not going to see him again.”
    The two sisters turned their heads when there was a knock at the door.
    “Someone get that!” Greg called from the living room.
    “Caveman,” Justine muttered.
    Mac stood up. “Don’t worry, I got it.” Out of habit, she looked through the peep hole first.
    Then she gasped and jerked back.
    “Who is it?” Justine asked, sliding up behind her. “Is it a prowler?”
    “What’s a prowler?” Mac asked, as she crouched in front of the door, her hands on her thighs.
    “You know…like…” Justine started making slashing motions with her hand.
    “No,” Mac said, her knees still bent. “It’s—”
    “Mac?” The voice came from the other side of the door. “I can hear you. Everything