Freedom Read Online Free Page B

an electrical firestorm. Even if it is proving impossible for me to tell if this is normal or if I am one sick fuck who is desperate for a female.
    “You’re taking me to lunch? I thought you had to talk to Noelle about the tables?”
    Emma swivels her chair so she is facing me, crossing her ankles and tucking her legs under her chair. As if that will prevent me from fantasizing about her bare skin and what I’d like to do with those legs. I chuckle inwardly, knowing that I am on a fast track up shit creek if I don’t slow myself down. I can’t screw around with my brother’s new employee.
    Emma seems like a sincere, hardworking girl trying to make it on her own without Daddy’s money. I can’t drag her into my screwed up world, and it wouldn’t be fair to put Carson in the middle of another one of my epic disasters.
    “I’ll talk to Noelle after lunch. Let’s go grab a bite.”
    ***
    She sits across the diner booth from me, nibbling on a grilled cheese sandwich while I scarf down two bloody burgers smothered in guacamole.
    “You sure you don’t want something more than that little sandwich?” I ask. She’s eyeing my plate, so I assume she is hungrier than she let on. “Bonnie’s burgers are the best. I’ll get one for you.” I am about to raise my hand to flag down Lauren to order it when Emma shakes her head.
    “No, I’m a vegetarian.”
    “Oh.” I look at what is left of my second rare burger oozing red juice into the fries. “This carnage on my plate must make you ill.”
    She smiles and shakes her head. “No, I’m used to it. My parents live on steak, the kind that’s so rare it’s ready to walk off the plate. I am astounded by your appetite, though.”
    My appetite. Coming from her perfect lips, it sounds sexual to me. “I get a lot of exercise,” I say, suddenly losing interest in my food.
    Lauren stops by our table and her bubbly hyperness clues me in to what will follow. “Time to make a wish,” she says while rubbing my buzzed scalp. I am used to it from the women that know me, although it got old months ago, and now it’s an embarrassing display in front of Emma.
    Emma smirks at me.
    “How is your first day, Em?” Lauren asks. “Is Dylan behaving?”
    “I’ve been a perfect gentleman.”
    Emma looks at me pointedly before resuming the little nibbles she has been taking of her sandwich.
    “Uh, gotta go, kids.” Lauren scans the door as more customers come in.
    I am relieved. I wonder how much Lauren has told Emma about me before she accepted the job from Carson. Have I been made out to sound like a sad sack of problems or a despicable womanizer? Lauren has been my friend since we were kids; she’s seen almost every heinous thing regarding me. I suspect a good friend like Lauren would warn her girlfriend well in advance, and that’s why I am getting this scrutinizing vibe from Emma.
    “So why did you leave your family’s business for Carson’s? What makes this place so special?” I push my uneaten food away.
    “Carson’s business isn’t on Route 17 somewhere between Satin Dolls and Crate and Barrel, my personal highway to hell.”
    I chuckle. “I know that area. Very lively.”
    “Right. Bada Bing,” she says dryly. “Let me guess, you’ve been to Satin Dolls.”
    “Never. I’ve only driven past on my way to make deliveries.”
    “Sure. Men always drive past it, never to it.” She smirks.
    “Honestly, those clubs aren’t my thing. Tell me more about your dad’s company and why you wanted to leave it.”
    “Let’s just say my dad’s business won’t be around much longer. He wants to sell, and my parents plan on leaving Jersey and moving to Florida for an early retirement. It can’t happen soon enough, in my opinion. Really, I don’t want to talk about my father’s business, it’s not an exciting topic. Besides, there’s no future there, so what’s the point? It’s tough to find a job in this market. I’m lucky Lauren put my resume in front of