What If I'm Pregnant...? by Carla Cassidy Read Free Book Online

home alone in the evenings,” he said.
    â€œI told you, most nights Danny walks me home.”
    â€œBut what about the nights that he doesn’t?”
    She sighed with a touch of impatience. “Then I walk home quickly with my head held high. Colette says if you don’t look like a victim, then the odds are good you won’t become one. And just to be on the safe side, I carry pepper spray in my purse.”
    â€œNobody ever has to carry pepper spray in Foxrun,” he observed.
    â€œThat’s because nothing ever happens in Foxrun,” she replied, as if it were a bad thing. “It’s a nice little town filled with nice people, but I want more than Foxrun can give me.”
    They stopped in front of the apartment building. She gazed up at him thoughtfully. “Since I’m having dinner with Danny, why don’t you invite Colette out for some dinner?”
    He raised an eyebrow in surprise. “I thought you didn’t want me consorting with your roommate and boss.” He smiled teasingly. “I thought you had some sort of a conspiracy theory going…you know, you believe I’m trying to sway her to my side of the argument.”
    â€œI was worried about that,” she replied. “But after giving it some thought, I’ve decided you and Colette hanging out together isn’t a threat to me.”
    â€œAnd why is that?” he asked indulgently.
    â€œColette is the strongest most independent woman I know. From what I know about her, she’s never depended on anyone and has already accomplished so much all on her own. I think she knows my dreams are a lot like hers and she’s going to support me in what I want to do.” She grinned at him impishly. “And I don’t think even the famous Tanner charm can make her work against me.”
    He returned her grin. “Perhaps you’re underestimating the power of the famous Tanner charm.”
    â€œMaybe I am,” she agreed soberly. “In any case, I’m having dinner with Danny and I just thought you’d rather eat with Colette than eat alone.”
    Tanner eyed his sister suspiciously. He didn’t trust this sudden change of heart of hers. Earlier in the day she’d been rabid about telling him to stay away from Colette. Now she seemed to be giving him an open invitation to pursue his plot to get Colette on his side and manipulate Gina into coming back home.
    â€œMaybe I will see if Colette wants to get a bite to eat with me,” he said.
    Together he and Gina got into the elevator that carried them to the eighth-floor apartment. It intrigued Tanner, how the thought of having dinner with Colette filled him with a strange sense of anticipation.
    He followed Gina through the front door and instantly saw Colette. Clad in what was obviously a short, cotton nightshirt, she was curled up on the sofawith a stack of catalogs on the coffee table in front of her.
    It was obvious she had recently showered. Her hair was in damp curls, and her face had a fresh-scrubbed glow that made Tanner’s fingers itch to stroke her creamy-looking cheeks.
    It was also obvious she hadn’t expected him to come in with Gina. The nightshirt, although loose fitting, was thin, and he could see the thrust of her breasts against the pink material. A wave of desire swept through him, bringing with it a sweet flood of heat that suffused his entire body.
    â€œTanner,” she exclaimed and half rose from the sofa, at the same time tugging self-consciously at the bottom of the nightshirt. “I wasn’t expecting—” She finally sat and put her feet demurely together on the floor.
    â€œPlease, don’t get up,” he said. “I’m not staying. I just walked Gina home.” He remained standing by the front door.
    â€œI’ve got a date and Tanner was going to invite you to eat dinner with him, but it looks like you’ve already eaten.” Gina gestured to the