Whispers from the Past by Elizabeth Langston Read Free Book Online Page B

a dish of berry cobbler and a glass on the table. “Is there anything else you need?”
    “Want to sit a moment and talk?”
    I nodded. “It won’t be much longer until my ride arrives.”
    He stood and held out a chair.
    “Thank you.” I knew a moment of regret when I saw him ignore his dessert after he sat down. He was too polite to eat before me.
    “This job keeps you busy,” he said, and took a sip from his glass.
    “Indeed, and I have another one too. I address invitations to weddings and parties.”
    “Do you write calligraphy?”
    “It is close.”
    Someone stopped at our table. “Susanna?”
    I looked up with a start. Mark stood there, holding out his hand. I linked my fingers through his and allowed him to draw me to my feet.
    “Mark, let me introduce Isaac Saunders.”
    They shook hands.
    An awkward silence grew among us. Perhaps it would be best to leave without further conversation. With a nod of good-bye for Isaac, I walked hand-in-hand with Mark to his truck.
    He reached for the door’s handle, but he did not open it. Instead, he cupped the back of my head and locked his mouth over mine, kissing me with a seductive thoroughness.
    When he drew away, I peered at him, hot color awash in my face. “Mark,” I said with quiet reproof.
    “What?”
    “Is Isaac watching us?”
    Mark watched me through half-closed lids. “He sure as hell is.”
    “You have made clear the nature of our relationship.”
    “Damn straight.”
    “Perhaps it would have worked as well if we had simply told him.” I studied the buttons of Mark’s shirt as the night air cooled my blushing cheeks.
    “It was more fun this way.” He opened the truck’s door and lifted me onto the high seat with admirable ease.
    Mark hurried around the truck and joined me in the cab, sliding behind the steering wheel. “Did you mind?”
    “I do not mind that he knows we are a couple.” I clasped my hands in my lap and looked away. “I would, however, have preferred to keep our private moments private.”

C HAPTER E IGHT
    M AJOR M OOD S POILER
    I followed Susanna into the silent apartment.
    Good, my sister wasn’t around. I loved the idea of some alone time. I reached for Susanna, but she eluded my grasp.
    “I shall change out of my ‘fried chicken’ clothes.”
    Would she ever let me forget saying that? “Susanna…”
    It was a wasted effort. She’d already disappeared down the darkened hallway to her room.
    I turned on a lamp, flopped onto the couch, and looked around. Marissa had decorated this place in poorrecent-college-graduate style. There were a few pieces of mismatched furniture, bare walls, and a mega-TV. I was surprised Mom hadn’t shamed her into trying harder. My sister could fix this place up if she wanted.
    From the rear of the apartment came the sound of running water. Susanna was taking a shower. It was time that I learned to keep my mouth shut.
    I flicked on the TV to a sports channel.
    The water shut off.
    Baseball spring training highlights ended. Hockey highlights came on.
    Footsteps padded into the room. Susanna appeared at the end of the couch, wearing sweats, her hair piled high in a loose knot. She slipped onto my lap, grabbed the remote, turned off the TV, and tossed the remote down.
    I frowned at her. “What’s going on?”
    She wrapped her arms around my neck and surprised me with a hot, brief kiss. “I want us to enjoy each other’s company,” she murmured against my lips.
    With a groan, I wound my arms around her waist, completely ready to enjoy her mouth moving against mine.
    As always, her kisses ended too soon, but she was getting there. And she’d initiated this one. Definitely progress.
    She laid her head on my shoulder. “I miss being alone with you.”
    “Me, too.” That was one of the reasons I hadn’t wanted her to move in with Marissa, but if I reminded her right now, it would be a major mood spoiler. Time to think of a topic unlikely to end in a fight. “So tell me about this