This Tangled Thing Called Love: A Contemporary Romance Novel by Marie Astor Read Free Book Online Page B

cab pulled along the curb, and Lindsay hurriedly climbed out of the car.
    “So sorry I’m late. Traffic was horrible.” She hugged Claire and waved at Amber.
    “That’s what happens when you live in a bohemian neighborhood.” Amber air-kissed Lindsay.
    “Well, not all of us have grandmothers bequeathing Fifth Avenue apartments.”
    Amber shrugged. “I offered you to take over a lease on Lex and Sixtieth at a perfectly good price when a friend of mine was moving out.”
    “I like my neighborhood.” Lindsay crossed her arms.
    “Enough already.” Claire tapped her foot on the sidewalk. Bickering between Amber and Lindsay stemmed all the way from middle school. “We’re here to find a gift for David, not discuss real estate.”
    Over the next hour, from Bergdorf to Bulgari , Claire left no store unturned on Fifth Avenue, but despite many yeses from Amber and occasional maybes from Lindsay, she failed to find even one possibility.
    “Well, this leaves only one obvious choice.” A furtive smile played on Lindsay’s face.
    “Name it.” Claire sighed with exhaustion. Anniversaries were supposed to be about romance, not frenetic shopping.
    “ SoHo .”
    “Why not?” Claire jumped at the suggestion. “I could use a break from the tourist crowd, and who knows? Maybe I will have better luck there.”
    “Surely we could find a suitable gift for David on Fifth Avenue.” Amber pursed her lips. “What about that gorgeous pair of cufflinks we saw at Saks?”
    “How predictable,” Lindsay muttered. “Claire wants something original, so original we will help her find.” Making clear that the topic was not up for further discussion, Lindsay started signaling for a cab.
    Claire noticed Amber stealing a glance at her watch.
    “Look, Amber, if you have plans, it’s totally okay with me. Go, have fun with Adam.”
    “Are you sure?” Amber flushed guiltily.
    “Positive. At this point I’m about ready to buy David the first thing I see in the next store. I’ve tortured you long enough, and I appreciate you putting up with me. Now, go, have fun.”
    “Thanks!” Amber’s eyes lit up. “Call me if you need me, all right?”
    Before Claire could respond, she heard the sound of Amber’s heels clicking away. That Adam must be really hot , Claire mused, surprised by her own wistfulness. It was not that sex with David was not wonderful. It was gentle and sweet, just like David, but it simply was not hot or crazy or wild. Sometimes she wondered what it would feel like to go crazy with desire like Amber.
    “All right, we are on my turf now, and I promise you that we will find a gift for David before the day is out.” Lindsay announced as the cab pulled over at West Broadway and Prince Street.
    “So, where should we begin?” Claire smiled brightly, trying not to think about the hot sex that Amber was probably having this very second.
    “Well, since it’s clear that you’re not interested in cufflinks or tie pins, I think we should try something different. Follow me.”
    “Lead the way.” Claire smiled. She loved SoHo : the cast-iron buildings that lined the neighborhood’s streets had substance and solidity, reminding one of New York’s rich past. The unexpected cobbled streets never failed to surprise one with romantic flair, and countless galleries and boutiques guaranteed an entertaining outing.
    A few moments later, Lindsay stopped in front of a glass display that contained a giant lithograph.
    “Since David already has all the watches and cufflinks he could ever want, perhaps he’d be surprised with a painting?”
    “Lindsay, you’re a genius!” Claire flushed with embarrassment, wondering why on earth she had not thought of this idea herself. After all, her second major in college had been Art. She hesitated briefly. What if David would misconstrue her gift as meddlesome? She knew how picky he was about his digs. He had hired one of New York’s top interior designers to furnish his loft in Battery