The Flip by Michael Phillip Cash Read Free Book Online

ever seen. Thirty-six lit candles decorated the top, illuminating her rosy cheeks. “Do you want me to sing?” she asked with a smile.
    “Only if you want to invite raccoons.” Brad made room for her on the bed.
    “Make a wish,” Julie told him with excited eyes.
    “I got it already.” Brad kissed her. “But I’ll make another.” He wriggled his eyebrows.
    “I can make the wish for you,” she offered hopefully, her green eyes lit with appeal. Julie never gave up once she had an idea in her pretty little head.
    Brad was too tired to humor her tonight. “We are not keeping it, Jules. Maybe the next one.”
    Julie pouted, but turned it into a smile, not wanting to risk the cold war again. This was nicer, more like old times.
    Without taking his eyes off her, he blewout the candles gently. “Where are the forks?”
    “We don’t need no forks!” she told him playfully, digging her fingers into the cake and putting it into his mouth.
    Brad smiled, sucking on her fingers, his eyes rolling with pleasure. Julie squealed when he returned the favor. They fed each other, kissed, and ate some more. Soon their faces were smeared with chocolate, crumbs everywhere.
    “Oh, this is a mess.” Julie stood, brushed brown bits off the white comforter, and watched them leave tiny smears. For the first time, she couldn’t get herself to care about it. “By the way, don’t go into the attic while you’re alone. Wait till Saturday or when Willy is with you,” Juliewarned him. “You remember what happened the last time.”
    Brad had climbed into the attic of their last flip and had fallen out, breaking his leg. Without Willy’s help, they couldn’t have finished the house. Brad had worn a cast for weeks, and even now she knew his leg pained him.
    Willy was an army buddy who helped with the repair jobs. An out-of-work vet, he was willing to wait until they sold the house to get paid. They always gave him a small percentage. There was nothing the man couldn’t or wouldn’t do.
    “Time is money, baby. We have to move this one, and Willy can’t come until next week. He went to Charleston to visit his mom.” Brad layback, his face distant. His eyes narrowed, and Julie wondered what he was thinking about. His lips turned down, and his fist absently tapped against the counterpane.
    Julie contemplated the wrecked cake in the box. “Are you still mad?”
    “I’m not mad, Jules.” Brad pushed her hair behind her ear and lifted her chin so their eyes met. “This is a big house.” He placed his finger over her lips when she started to interrupt him. “We can’t keep it. Please, let’s just move it quickly.” He shivered, goose bumps pebbling the bare expanse of his chest. “It gives me the creeps.” He pulled her forward to kiss her lips. “There’ll be other houses.”

Chapter 5
    Julie filled her travel mug and was rushing to get her satchel organized when Brad walked into the room.
    His hair hung damply over his forehead, his sleepy eyes dominant in his tanned face. He smiled, and for a moment, her breath caught at the beauty of him. Julie longed to throw her keys in the disposal, forget about her job, and stay home to work with her husband all day.
    “I’m meeting with the foundation people today. I think they should be able to raise the sagging floor in the subbasement,” Brad told her as he stretched. He reached for his mug toprepare a cup of coffee. Eyeing his wife, he said, “Earth to Julie…Jules…you paying attention?”
    Julie stared at him, not comprehending, struck by his perfection. His flannel shirt was open, the golden hairs on his chiseled chest glinting. Julie shook her head. “Got it. Foundation today. Please stay out of the attic, Brad.”
    “I have to get the work done.”
    “When is Willy returning?” Julie leaned against the counter in their kitchen and looked at him over the rim of her aluminum mug.
    Brad hopped up onto the patterned Formica counter. It was chipped in so many places.