Hometown Girl Read Online Free

Elyse’s plan to keep her identity a secret. She didn’t believe in transparency—at least not yet, not until she knew how Simon would react.
    Simon pushed his way through the crowd of men who flocked around Patrice and Rocki like a fox at a hen party. Sitting in between the two women, Elyse was surprised Simon remembered she existed. She noticed he’d changed into a soft gray T-shirt that hugged his chest and shoulders, highlighting his muscles. He slid between her and Patrice, put his arm around her, and leaned in close. “Are you ready to go?”
    Butterflies fluttered in her stomach. Losing her virginity had seemed like a good idea when she’d had a buzz. After all the food Simon had put in front of her, the buzz she’d entered the bar with was long gone. Eight pairs of eyes watched and waited for her response and it took her a moment to recall his question. He’d asked her if she was ready to leave. She met his gaze and was mesmerized. She’d imagined making love to him a thousand times. Lord knew, she’d wanted him forever. “Sure, I’m all set, just let me pay my tab.”
    “It’s covered.” He skimmed her cheek with his thumb and rested his hand on her shoulder, burning through the thin strap of her top before sliding down the length of her arm and taking her hand. He helped her off the barstool.
    With a quick shake of the head, Bree sent Simon some kind of silent signal. She turned her smile to Elyse and took her empty beer mug off the bar. “It was great meeting you Fitz, I hope we’ll see more of you.”
    “Yeah.” Rocki piped up. “We certainly didn’t get any information out of you this time.”
    Patrice laughed. “It’s not as if we didn’t try. You’ll have to give us another chance real soon.”
    Elyse let out a relieved breath. “It was nice meeting all of you. Thanks for the company.” Keeping her secret with those three grilling her was a miracle. She was just lucky Simon hadn’t had to work longer. As soon as she cleared the stool, Simon wrapped his arm around her and led her out of the Crow’s Nest, ignoring or not noticing the interested looks of the women they passed. Elyse certainly didn’t miss them or the virtual daggers they shot her way.
    Simon held the door, his eyes scanning the street once they hit the sidewalk. It was after midnight but people were still out and about. A few years ago, she wouldn’t have felt safe in Red Hook day or night, but the area was a study in urban gentrification and was well on its way to becoming the next Park Slope.
    “I walked to work. I hope you don’t mind hoofing it. It’s not far.”
    “No, I don’t mind at all. It’s a beautiful night. Summer’s my favorite season and it’s almost here.” The night air was cool against her skin. When she shivered, she wasn’t sure if it was from the wind or the fact Simon had his arm around her. She’d worn her favorite jeans, cute high-heeled sandals, and a light top that looked like a plain white tank from the front, but was long enough in the back to brush her knees and fly behind her when the wind off the harbor caught it.
    Simon kept her tucked in close. “So, Fitz. How did you end up on a blind date with Dave?”
    “He’s a friend of a friend. You know how it is.” God, the last thing she wanted to talk to Simon about was Dave.
    “Sure, but why would you need a blind date? You had your choice of any guy at the bar tonight.”
    At first she thought he was teasing, but when she snuck a glance at him, Simon looked serious. “Ronna thought I needed to get out. I’ve had my head stuck in the books too long. Not all of us are as smart as you. I actually have to study to make the grades and then with my internship . . . I’ve been too busy to date lately and haven’t met anyone.” She shrugged and didn’t mention that she figured she wore a sign, invisible to only her, that said
Keep Away
.
    “Lucky for me, you and Dave didn’t hit it off.”
    Again she checked to make sure