Turn It Up by Vivian Arend Read Free Book Online Page B

now.”
    Tasha shrugged, carrying a handful of glasses to the sink, wiping down the countertop. She grabbed at the excuse Lila offered. “Couple of projects on the go got me distracted. Sorry, I didn’t think it was that noticeable.”
    Lila stared suspiciously. “Fine. Whatever it is you’ll tell me when you’re ready, I suppose. Now, can I get your opinion on a truly curious subject?”
    Had Lila noticed something strange about all the attention she’d received tonight from Maxwell? “What?”
    “Where the hell did my cousin Maxy find that guy, and do you think there are more lying around? I mean, I’m not in the market for anyone long term, but for a one-night stand? Holy moley, he was fine.”
    A laugh escaped. “He reminded me of a swashbuckling pirate.”
    They chatted for a short time before Tasha could make her escape. The evening hadn’t turned out to be the relaxing getaway she’d hoped for. The long drive back to her apartment was lonely and silent. The laughter of the evening dissipated like a mess of bubbles on the air.
    When she checked her inbox one last time before heading to bed, the reminder of the next doctor’s appointment brought a fresh rush of tension to her shoulders, and crying herself to sleep seemed appropriate.

Chapter Six
    Tasha placed the enormous tray of cookies and chocolates she’d brought as her contribution on the table, dodged around a group of children playing on the floor and headed out to the porch where she’d seen the older cousins gathering. She’d had enough of hiding out in her house, trying to make a decision. Joining Gramma Turner’s birthday party seemed a safe alternative. Meeting Maxwell tonight was inevitable, but she figured there were enough people around she wouldn’t have to be alone with him.
    He’d taken to emailing her. She refused to see him—she didn’t need the physical attraction between them distracting her as she reasoned this out. And yeah, that attraction was there, she wouldn’t deny it. But emails? Relatively safe, since she set the pace and could respond when she wanted.
    She’d opened the first few out of curiosity to see what tack he would take. After the initial I’m-being-stalked sensation wore off, she’d decided to make it a game to see how he reacted to her responses. It had been amusing—a couple words or a smilie, and he’d do the same, then leave her alone for a while. A full sentence response or more on her part was matched. Light-hearted, random information she was sure he’d purposefully chosen to make her smile, and to cause her to wonder what he was up to.
    He didn’t push for an answer, but he was always there, right in her face. One of the messages had shown up on her Blackberry when she was gown-draped and waiting in the doctor’s office for another intrusive test before the official AI steps could begin.
    That had been a hell she had no words to describe.
    The invitation to attend the party had been too good to turn down. Gramma was a legend in the Turner family, now a widow for fifteen years, but still a powerhouse in keeping the clan together.
    “Tasha!” Lila greeted her with a hug and drew her into the mix of thirty-something’s mingling with the few older Turner clan who hadn’t been lured off into games or dinner prep yet. Tasha looked around quickly, but saw no sign of Maxwell. Someone passed her an ice tea, someone found her a chair, and she was dragged into their discussion. Happiness rolled over her as she set aside her worries for a while and just visited.
    Somehow the group around her changed, and Tasha found herself neck deep in conversation with Lila’s grandmother, talking about everything from the hedges along the driveway to the summer’s wasp problem. The crowd dissipated as people headed into the house and out onto the lawn of the massive heritage home Gramma Turner occupied. Tasha smiled at the old woman’s expression—her pleased look as she surveyed her kingdom. It was a beautiful