Curing the Uncommon Man-Cold Read Online Free Page A

the page and smiled. She was beginning to see the kinky wisdom in her friend’s manic plan — take away all Jason’s creature comforts. “You know he’s going to freak without his beer.”
    Christine nodded with a cheesy grin.
    Amanda retrieved four bottles from behind the microwave. “Hid these last night.”
    “Are you sure that’s all the booze? Just four beers?”
    “Jason drank the other eight this past weekend, shortly before he was struck ill.” Amanda felt a bit defensive. “It was on my shopping list.”
    “Let me see that list.”
    Amanda reached for the magnet-backed tablet on the refrigerator door. It wasn’t really much of a list because Amanda didn’t bake, either.
    “Okay, scratch this, this, this… and definitely that.” Christine made those motions with her finger. Then she eyed her friend narrowly. “I can see why Jason gravitates to your place when he seeks primal comforts. His momma wouldn’t buy all this junk. You’ve been catering to his cravings: sweets, chips, beer, ice cream. If I was a lovesick man with a big appetite, I wouldn’t go home, either.”
    It felt like Amanda was being chewed out by her fifth-grade teacher.
    Christine obviously noticed. “Hey, after we cure Jason of this syndrome, you can buy him some treats, if you want.” It sounded like Jason was a recalcitrant Yorkie. “But maybe you should think about scaling down the magnitude. Looks like half your grocery budget goes to Jason’s sweet tooth and his spare tire.”
    Amanda shrugged. “I didn’t realize it had gotten that bad. Jason would look around like something was missing, so I’d buy it. That way he didn’t have that lost expression on his face.”
    “He pretty much always looks lost to me. Don’t focus so much on his face and stop feeding it so much.” Christine sounded too stern. “I’m not trying to meddle, Amanda. I mean not beyond this experiment and quest for a cure. But I am concerned. It’s easy for some women to become doormats under men’s feet. In a relationship, the position you want is on top.”
    Amanda pondered that image, but didn’t inquire how literally her friend intended it.
    Christine halted her train of thought like she’d suddenly noticed a completely incongruous tollbooth along the tracks she’d been traveling for years. “How on earth did you and Jason ever hit it off to begin with? I mean, besides his sad, loyal eyes… and that he rescued you, once upon a time.”
    “I don’t know. He was cute, a little rumpled, and slightly confused.” Amanda realized that description also fit most Guinea pigs.
    Christine rolled her eyes and started to interrupt.
    Amanda quickly continued. “And he makes me feel good.”
    “You mean in bed?” Her older friend edged closer.
    “That, too. But I mean he makes me feel valuable . Sometimes when we’re out, I sense that he’s practically guarding me, like a security guy walking to the bank with a big payroll bag.”
    Christine apparently ignored the imagery. “That’s it?”
    Amanda smiled softly. “Plus, he seemed so uncomplicated. I like that. My life is very complicated, so there’s a comfort level in a boyfriend with predictability.”
    “You can get that kind of comfort with a plush blanket from Sears. You two are about as opposite as could possibly be… within this species, that is.”
    “Is it wrong to want a boyfriend who’s uncomplicated and predictable?”
    Christine considered. “Well, it gives you the upper hand, which you seem to need.”
    “I’m not sure how to take that, Christine. To me, it’s more like Jason needs directions and I already know where I’m going.” Hmm . Truly, it sounded about the same.
    “Whatever. Now back to the alcohol situation. Do not get him any more.” Christine raised her hand for emphasis. “Check his friends, if anybody visits. They’re quite accomplished at sneaking in booze.”
    “I don’t really expect any of his buddies to visit here. But if they do, you want