Unforgettable by Shanna Vollentine Read Free Book Online Page A

“Iced tea?” I nodded again. It was surreal, Ethan was playing host in my house. He pulled out a jug of sweet tea as I stood there. I had hoped coming home would restore my memory. It didn’t, obviously, so I didn’t really know where to go from here. I pulled out a stool and sat down at the island. Ethan set my drink down and I wrapped my hands around it. Now what?
      I knew it was time to ask Ethan some important questions. Questions only he would be able to answer.
      “What am I blocking out? What happened that’s so terrible my mind won’t let me remember?”
      He looked at me, shocked, but after a moment he shook his head. “I don’t know of anything terrible. You’re happy. We’re happy. I wish I knew what would make you forget your life. Us.”
      I sat there, holding my glass of tea and wishing I had some brilliant conversational skills that I could pull out now. I started to get a little nervous. I had just gotten home and I was already out of things to say and do. I couldn’t work because I don’t know what it is I do. I’ve read blogs of course, but I’ve never set one up or written any. My cookbook sounded cool, but I don’t know what’s already in it or where to begin.
      There were so many things I had no knowledge of that it was overwhelming. I decided to start with something simple.
      “Can you show me how to work my phone?”
      He looked at me askance then half snorted, “Yeah, let’s see it.”
      I dug in my bag which was still hanging on my shoulder and pulled out the phone. He took it and for the next fifteen minutes or so showed me all the features one by one.
      “Awesome, I have the internet.” It was amazing. The screen was way too small, but it was still cool.
      “Do you want to see your website?” he asked, and I nodded, as excited as a schoolgirl.
      “Absolutely. I don’t even know what it’s called.”
      “It’s The Nonsnooty Foodie.” He typed in the address and handed the phone back to me.
      I couldn’t believe how good it looked. Professional. “Wow,” I said as I scrolled down through the posts. “This looks great, when did I learn to do this?”
      “You didn’t. I designed the site. You told me what you wanted though.” I scrolled lower, skimming the text on different posts.
      “I’m pretty funny,” I remarked with a smile. Holy moly, some of my posts had hundreds of comments. I kept going, clicking through some of the links and I saw a picture of myself. I looked great! Could that really be me? With the makeup and tame hair I looked like myself but way better. Being a chef and spending most of my time in a hot kitchen, makeup was simply something that I wore on a date, and my hair lived in a bun with a hat.
      “That’s a great picture, isn’t it?” Ethan was leaning over and looking at the screen. “Carrie considers it her masterpiece.”
      “Yeah well, that’s obvious. I didn’t know I could look so good.”
      “I think you look beautiful all of the time. You don’t need makeup to enhance your loveliness.” He said it quietly.
    I cringed. “I wasn’t fishing for compliments, I know how I look.”
      “No Juliet, I don’t think you do.” He lifted his hand up and pushed back a bit of hair that had escaped the scrunchie. His movement was tender, but it sent an electric shock through me.
      I couldn’t move, my eyes were locked with his and my breathing became shallow. I wanted to lean into his hand. I forced myself to blink, to break eye contact, and when I did he dropped his hand. I instantly felt the loss. It was so confusing. I didn’t want him to touch me, I needed time, but damn it felt good.
      Just then I heard a bark from outside the kitchen door. Lucy . My baby.
      I jumped up and set the phone down as she launched herself through the doggy door. She barreled in with all her might and I scooped her up. “I missed you, girl. Have you been a good girl?” I asked, even though I knew she was.