Up to Date (Better Date than Never Book 8) by Susan Hatler Read Free Book Online Page A

the photographs for the article, and in two weeks he’d be out of my hair for good. Except for the fact that he lived upstairs. Sigh.
    Keeping Greg out of my life was becoming more challenging every day. But I had to find a way. The more time I spent with him, the more attracted to him I became, and these feelings would only implode in the end.
    Suddenly, Greg started whistling the tune of “Reunited” by Peaches and Herb. Instead of feeling irritated, tingles floated up my neck at the romantic melody we’d danced to that night. I remembered the feel of his arms around me, warm and amazing. Not good. Chills vibrated down my arms, giving me the urge to forget what was practical and curl up in his arms again.
    ****
    The next day, Rach opened the front door to enter Laurel Ann’s, a cute boutique in Old Sacramento with unique home décor. “I’m totally stressing about Ellen’s baby shower. I want everything to be perfect for her but you know how demanding she can be.”
    “Definitely high maintenance.” Unlike Greg, who had given me carte blanche with his credit card to decorate his home however I deemed best. No pressure. I stepped inside the air-conditioned store, cool air caressing my skin. “At least you have a precise list to follow. I have to be creative under a deadline.”
    She threw me a look that was not filled with sympathy. “My list is typed with bold fonts and way too many asterisks. How could everything be a priority? I’m going to screw this up and she’ll hate me.”
    “You’re her best friend. She’s not going to get mad at you if something goes wrong.” Although Ellen still hadn’t forgotten that Rach had brought her miniature beagle into the five-star restaurant where Ellen and Henry’s rehearsal dinner was held. Rach adored her pup, and treated him like family—a hairy family member, who shed and slobbered while guests were eating. Ellen had flipped.
    Thinking of Ellen’s pooch reminded me of The Skipper, so I shook my head to clear the thought away. I had a job to do—in forty-five minutes or less since we were on our lunch break. “I’m sure the baby shower will be lovely. We’ll all sniff those faux dirty diapers, laugh, and have a wonderful time.”
    “Let’s hope so.” She sighed, fingering candles as we browsed along the aisles. “What exactly are you looking for?”
    “Décor for Greg’s den that inspires me.” I gazed around at all of the goodies, waiting for something to pop out at me. Quickly, of course. I was on a time crunch. “Jenna’s taking the first round of ‘after’ photos for her magazine spread tomorrow at noon. This article is my first real credential as a decorator, so the den must be perfect. If I fail to wow her, then I may as well kiss my dream good-bye.”
    “Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.” She followed me to the back of the store and stopped near a bunch of framed artwork. “The point of changing careers is so you can enjoy your work.”
    “Pfft.” Yeah, but that was before I knew I had to work with Greg Shaffer. Thanks to him, I couldn’t sleep all night. I’d tossed and turned in bed, worried about The Skipper being all alone in Greg’s condo while he was at work. I wondered if Sacramento Living could air brush the dark circles under my eyes. . . .
    Rach touched my arm, making me jump. “Is everything okay? I just asked you twice if you liked this picture and you still haven’t answered.”
    “Sorry.” I faked a smile, then glanced at the framed country landscape, which was lovely but didn’t feel like Greg at all. Although, it wasn’t like I knew that much about him. Except that he was funny, sweet, helpful, and poured lots of love into his kitten. “I’m just stressed about . . . the magazine interview.”
    True statement. The article was totally on my ever-growing list of stressful things along with Greg, my sister, my parents, and the job that had bored me before and now plagued me due to my boss’s new