A Weekend Getaway Read Online Free

peered out the peephole. Sure enough, she saw a thin man
follow Ivy into her room across the hall. Could it have been Parker? No, this
man looked too scrawny.
    Her belly rumbled. Darn it! Why
hadn’t she thought to pack some Healthy Habits fiber bars? Odds were she
wouldn’t find anything low-fat in a vending machine. She slipped her sneakers
back on and went into the hall. Eventually, she ended up at the front desk
without seeing anything except pop machines. A broad-shouldered man, still
dressed for the office, stood with his back to her. He laughed a deep barrel
laugh, took the room key from the clerk and turned to face her.
    Her mouth fell open. “Parker
DuBois?” He still had short chestnut hair and a jaw that could only be
described as chiseled. Handsome and smart. A combination every woman drooled
over.
    He blinked at her with a neutral
expression.
    “It’s me. Bethany.”
    Then he smiled. Time had added
adorable crinkles to the corners of his brown eyes. “I didn’t recognize you
without your baseball cap.” Stretching his arms wide, he embraced her. “You
look amazing.”
    What he meant was “You’re no
longer fat.” Quickly she pulled herself out of his strong arms, knowing better
than to get comfortable there. “Ivy said you couldn’t make it this weekend. Did
you solve your problem at work?”
    He squinted and looked confused,
but only for a moment. “Yes, yes. I didn’t think I could come, but I started
missing the old gang. Who knows if we’ll ever get together again?” Sadness
touched his features.
    She nodded. She always skipped
her high school reunions since those kids had teased her more than they’d been
her friends. The members of the Leadership Club, however, had welcomed
everyone—regardless of major, GPA or looks. As long as you wanted to
participate, you belonged. There hadn’t been any jockeying for position or
blatant résumé-building like in her business clubs. Just a small group of
people volunteering their time, having fun and making the world a better place.
    Parker stifled a yawn and
started pulling his suitcase toward the hall. “I’ll go surprise Ivy now. See
you tomorrow.”
    What about the guy in Ivy’s
room? Beth swallowed. “Um, Ivy isn’t there. Last I saw her, she was singing at
the Blue Note Bar. If you want, I’ll walk with you over there.”
    He stopped. “That sounds like
her. I’m tired, though. Maybe some other time.”
    She bit her bottom lip. Even
after all of these years, she felt loyal to Ivy. It was ridiculous. If she was
cheating on Parker, then he deserved to know. He deserved to find a woman who
appreciated him. A woman like. . .   . Beth bit her lip harder. No, she
shouldn’t be foolish.
    “Please, Parker. I could
actually use your help with something. I haven’t quite figured out what to say
at the banquet yet. I remember when you were President of the club, how
everyone always made sure they arrived on-time so they wouldn’t miss your
opening joke.”
    Clearly flattered, he shrugged
and smiled. “It was nothing. Let me put my suitcase in the room and I’ll go
with you. We can scribble notes on a cocktail napkin—that’s how I used to
do it.”
    She shook her head. “It’s a long
walk to the room. I bet you could just check your bag here.” She looked at the
young woman behind the desk and got a nod.
    “Well, okay.” He handed his bag
to the clerk. “Thanks.”
    They headed outside and she
noticed the temperature must’ve dropped about ten degrees. Should I try to call Ivy’s room and warn her? Or is this little delay
the extent of my goodwill? Goose bumps popped on her arms and she shivered.
Without a word, Parker took off his blazer and draped it around her shoulders. Oh, God. Why does he always have to be so
nice?
    He walked beside her down
Kirkwood Avenue. “What’s the message of your speech?”
    “I don’t know. It was crazy for
me to agree to speak. I don’t really have anything to say.”
    He chuckled and patted