Unbuttoning the CEO by Mia Sosa Read Free Book Online Page A

You can’t base your life decisions on a relationship that was going nowhere from the start.”
    “True. But I can learn from my mistakes. I need someone who’s open, who knows how to communicate, who thinks I’m worth making a commitment to.”
    “And you’ll find him,” Mimi pressed. “Your special someone is out there. You just have to be willing to find him.”
    “You know, behind that badass exterior lurks an eternal optimist.”
    “If you repeat that to anyone, I’ll arrange for sex toys to be delivered to your office on a daily basis. In clear packaging.”
    Gracie’s eyes widened in disbelief. Mimi was a nutcase. “Anyway, nothing’s going on between Nic and me. And I’d like to keep it that way.”
    “Bullshit,” Mimi said.
    Gracie groaned. Then she face-planted on the couch. Denial was getting her nowhere. “Bullshit is right.”
    *  *  *
    The gods granted Gracie a reprieve, because Nic was a no-show the week after “the kiss.” He’d left a message with Brenda, informing Gracie that he’d been called away on unexpected business. Right. He was on the run, and she couldn’t blame him. Not when she’d all but thrown her panties in his face when he’d tried to warn her away. She searched her surroundings for her self-respect. She needed it back. Yesterday.
    Thankfully, her younger sister Karen’s impending visit distracted her from her thoughts about Nic. Karen would be staying the weekend, and Gracie was looking forward to spending time with her.
    A senior at New York University, Karen planned to attend medical school after college. Her determination to do so meant she had little time for social pursuits. Gracie worried that her baby sister was too focused on her career, but Gracie held her tongue. Arguably, Gracie had the same problem, so she wasn’t sure what she would say to Karen to convince her to change.
    Gracie arrived at Union Station more than an hour before Karen’s train was scheduled to arrive. She wandered the enormous station, marveling at its resemblance to a shopping mall. Small, nationally recognizable shops dotted the second level. The first level bustled with the activity of both travelers from far away and people who commuted to work from Maryland or Virginia. After a rest stop at a small coffee shop, Gracie walked to the waiting area where she would meet Karen.
    She didn’t wait long. Karen was among the first travelers to barrel through the double doors that led to the station platform. Karen squealed when she saw her big sister, and Gracie, who was just as excited, rushed to Karen and enveloped her in a tight embrace. “Oh, gosh, Kar. You’re growing up so fast.” And it was true. Her “baby sister” was a woman, and for the first time Gracie understood her father’s desire to protect his girls from harm. She still didn’t agree with his views, but she understood their motivation.
    Karen rolled her eyes. “Gracie, stop. You sound like Mom. Now, take me to your fabulous apartment and feed me sumptuous food worthy of the goddess I am.”
    “Rice and beans, right?” Gracie asked with a smile. Karen was a sucker for the staple of her mother’s Puerto Rican kitchen.
    The corners of Karen’s eyes crinkled in delight. “Of course.”
    Gracie grabbed Karen’s bag, slung it over her shoulder, and linked arms with her sister as she led her to the taxi line.
    As they waited on the long line, Gracie shared her exciting news. “I have a surprise for you.”
    Karen twisted her long hair into a bun as she searched Gracie’s face. “You’re pregnant.”
    Gracie choked on her laughter. “Uh, no. That would require Immaculate Conception, and I’m certain there are others more worthy of such a miracle.”
    “Okay, we’ll talk about that sad fact later. What’s the surprise?”
    “We have tickets to see the Kennedy Center’s production of The Dancer . Tomorrow night.”
    Karen’s eyes widened with excitement. “No way.”
    “Yes, way.”
    As a teenager in