The Back-Up Plan by Mari Carr Read Free Book Online Page A

Monica was a pleasant woman, he couldn’t summon up the energy to turn on the charm. In fact, he was sort of bored.
    Meanwhile, Kristen seemed enchanted by every word out of Matthew’s mouth, which started to grate on Jason’s nerves. He studied the man, wondering what kind of guy grew a mustache. The doctor was trying too freaking hard to look like Tom Selleck and it took all the strength in Jason’s body not to lean across the table and tell the man nineteen-eighty called and wanted its look back.
    Instead he endured all the small talk through dinner and dessert, laughing when he was supposed to, smiling politely at Monica and gritting his teeth when Matthew put his arm around Kristen’s chair in a possessive way.
    Who the fuck did this guy think he was? He’d only met Kristen twice and already he was acting like he’d laid claim to her. Worst part was Kristen wasn’t annihilating him for it. In fact, she seemed to like it when Matthew leaned closer and whispered something in her ear.
    Jason recognized the smooth moves. Hell, he’d used all of them. In any other situation, Jason probably would have given the guy props for his mad skills. But this was Kristen. She wasn’t some bimbo or one-night stand. She deserved a decent guy, not a player.
    This set-up was a mistake and he intended to tell Kristen first thing tomorrow. They’d mark Matthew off the list and he’d find her another man to date. He ran through the list of single guys he knew, trying to come up with a name. Unfortunately, no one fit the bill. Didn’t he have any friends who weren’t womanizers?
    “Jason?”
    He looked up to find Kristen trying to get his attention. How many times had she called his name?
    “Sorry. Daydreaming.”
    Kristen gave him a disapproving glare that told him she wasn’t impressed with his efforts tonight and he suddenly felt guilty for ignoring Monica.
    “Matthew offered to drive me home. I was just asking if you minded taking Monica back to her place.”
    He barely stopped himself from yelling Hell no. Mercifully, his brain engaged just in time. He nodded stiffly and said, “Sure.”
    The last thing he wanted was Matthew taking Kristen back to her place. The smug bastard was clearly hoping to get into Kristen’s pants. Jason’s mind whirled as he tried to figure out how he could get Kristen away from Matthew long enough to warn her.
    Unfortunately, the doctor was too slick and quick. He had the bill paid and Kristen on his arm before Jason could come up with a plan. Jason watched the two of them walk out of the restaurant with a sinking feeling in his stomach.
    “I have my own car,” Monica said.
    “What?” God, he’d been the world’s rudest date, so worried about Kristen he hadn’t considered how badly he had treated Monica.
    “Kristen seemed pretty wrapped up in Matthew. I guess it slipped her mind that I drove us here. My car’s in the parking lot and I’m perfectly capable of getting myself home.”
    Jason sighed. “I’m sorry, Monica.”
    Monica smiled. “She doesn’t realize, does she?”
    He frowned, completely confused by her question. “She?”
    “Kristen. She has no idea how you feel about her.”
    Now he was really flummoxed. “What are you talking about?”
    Monica laughed, the sound soft and pretty. It made Jason even sorrier he hadn’t been nice to her. “Oh shit. You don’t know either.”
    “Did I miss something?”
    Monica nodded. “Yeah. But I’m not sure it’s my place to explain it to you.”
    He considered her comments and began to comprehend their meaning. She’d misinterpreted everything. “Oh no. Listen. Kris and I are just friends. I guess I’m feeling a bit protective. She doesn’t date much, so I’m not sure she realized the guy was a player. I didn’t really like the way Tom Selleck was putting the moves on her.”
    His nickname for Matthew made Monica laugh even harder. “Oh my God. That’s exactly who he looks like. I’ve been sitting here all night