Falling for Fitz Read Online Free

community theater group back home in Wilbur, OR, and
Daisy had asked
Ted to join her for the weekend, but at the last minute he
cancelled, due to real-life work commitments. With two airline
tickets already purchased, Daisy had turned to Josh, a good friend
who she’d known for years. But Josh was right—he wasn’t really
leading man material. With a slight beer belly, thinning hair, and
the beginnings of jowls, he was the very definition of
unthreatening.
    “ Listen, you don’t have to
threaten anyone, Josh. I just couldn’t bear to come home single,
looking pathetic and alone. Could you just tone it down? A little?
And maybe try to be… sexier?” She cringed as she said
it.
    “ It’s not my strong suit,
but I’ll try. Any suggestions?”
    “ Keep your arm around me or
your fingers laced through mine. Maybe brush my hair from my
shoulder and kiss my neck. You know, like we’re in
love.”
    Josh nodded, his eyes trained on hers
as she gave him notes on his performance. Josh took notes very
seriously. “Yep, yep. I see where you’re going here.”
    Daisy nodded, smiling in
encouragement. “You know, run your finger down my arm, or, um,
maybe say something about later .” When she said “later,” Daisy
used air quotes. “You know, like, um, ‘I can’t wait to get you
alone later .’
Something like that.”
    “ Ohhhhhhh,” said Josh,
tsking, then nodding slowly, like the mysteries of the world were
being revealed. “You know, Daisy? I should try some of this stuff
on Sara Meyers when we get back.”
    Daisy lurched forward,
smiling and placing a hand on Josh’s arm. “Yes! That’s a great
idea. Pretend I’m Sara. And you’re trying to seduce me. Like
Stanley in A Streetcar Named
Desire .”
    “ Oh,” said Josh, his face
falling. “Stanley was Ted’s roll.”
    “ But you could have done it,
Josh. You have the talent. Definitely.”
    “ You think?” he perked up
again.
    Good Lord, being an acting coach was
exhausting. She was glad she was a baker instead.
    “ Of course! Pretend I’m
Sara playing Stella.” She tossed her hair in an attempt to be sexy.
“And you be my Stanley. All manly and gruff and sexy, okay? That’s
the scene.”
    Josh took a deep breath and
nodded. “Got it. You leave it to me, Stella. ”
    He winked then closed his eyes,
wringing out his hands and hopping up and down. She’d seen Josh do
this before. He was getting into character.
    Daisy looked over her shoulder to be
sure no one was watching them. When she was content that their
charade was safe, she turned back to Josh who had opened his eyes.
They were focused, with hunger and precision, on Daisy.
    “ Come on, baby,” said Josh,
putting his arm around her waist and pulling her up against his
side possessively. “Let’s roll.”
    ***
    When Daisy and Dr. M. returned, her
hair was slightly messy and her lipstick had been reapplied. Not to
mention, the goddamned dentist’s beefy hand was clutching the bare
skin of her hip like he owned her. Fitz’s fingers curled into
fists, and he exhaled through his nose like a bull.
    “ I hope you didn’t wait for
us,” said Daisy, taking a seat at the table between Fitz and
Barrett.
    “ Dr. M. has needs,” said
Dr. M. in a growl, leaning down to push her hair to the side and
press his puffy lips to the side of her neck. He narrowed his eyes
meaningfully at Fitz before taking his seat across the round table
between Susannah and Emily.
    Fitz looked askance as Daisy picked up
her pre-set dinner wineglass and took a long sip. What was she
doing with this guy, anyway?
    As she replaced the glass, Fitz picked
up his and their wrists brushed. He froze and when he looked at
her, she was staring at the place where their skin touched,
mesmerized.
    “ Daisy,” he said softly,
not daring to move. “It’s a surprise to see you again.”
    She withdrew her hand quickly, placing
it in her lap and looking up at him. “It’s been years.”
    “ How have you
been?”
    As the light