Inevitable Read Online Free Page A

wasn’t like me to be jealous, especially over some guy I’d not officially met, but it wasn’t just about him. I could never say it aloud, but a small piece of me envied her even with only one glance. Gorgeous husband, adorable son, and a beautiful home—it’s all I’d ever dreamed of.
    I dropped the curtains and muttered, “Well, that’s that.”
    It was official; mystery man was off the market. There was no reason to waste any more time fantasizing about him finding me sunbathing, in the backyard, wearing the tiny bikini Hilary talked me into buying the previous summer. It wouldn’t end with Mr. Hotness flirting and enticing me to join him for a dip in his pool.
    Not only was he already taken, but also from the looks of it, the pool was being destroyed. Just my luck.

    Within the hour, I found myself falling back into my morning routine—jogging in peace. Hilary would never accompany me again, that I was certain of. In all the years I’ve known her I’ve never seen her so exhausted. She worked out at the gym in the evening. The complete opposite of myself.
    When I rounded the first corner, all thoughts of the Miller’s pool and the flawless new neighbors had cleared from my mind. Everything was perfect. A cluster of clouds that for once made me feel grateful shielded the morning sun.
    The fresh smell of dew and the morning air filled my nostrils with every soothing breath. Music filled my ears, blaring Adele on repeat.
    A smile crept over my face when I approached my usual turn around, the small road sign indicating ‘you are now entering city limits.’ My feet sprinted forward, quickening my pace. As I crossed the road to go back up the way I came, my entire body drained of all the serenity I felt moments earlier.
    I continued jogging, but my steps grew slower and heavier, when my eyes locked with his.
    There he was—my new neighbor. The Greek god that had filled my night with visions of endless passion, jogging with nothing but a pair of dark-grey shorts that screamed designer and a devilish smirk. My eyes locked with his sculptured abs and trailed down the perfect V disappearing into his shorts.
    Shaking my head to pull myself from the hypnotizing trance, I put on my friendliest smile and prayed it came off less awkward and contrived then I knew it was.
    The catastrophic ripple of emotions whirling inside me left me dumbfounded. It was not like me to feel a pull like that toward any man, especially one that was possibly married. I reached down and slid my finger over my iPod, ending the music.
    “Morning,” he said, his eyes lit with amusement and for some ungodly reason I closed my eyes and continued jogging past him too stunned to speak. Smooth!
    What was it about this guy that sent my body preparing for mutiny against every notion of morals I swore I had. Thankful I was past him I grew painfully aware he could possibly be turning around in the same location, which would put him directly behind me once again.
    Instantly my entire body went rigid. Damn, how long had he been behind me?
    The thought of having done something ridiculous or embarrassing with him unknowingly watching caused my ears to smolder and stomach to drop.
    I’d never felt that self-conscious, and all I could do was replay the last half hour I’d spent running. Heat filled my body, a shudder shot up my spine and wrapped around my neck when the memory from fifteen minutes earlier replayed through my pounding head.
    Noticing a puddle of water, I leaped over, arms fluttered gracefully over my head, in what could only be described as the perfect ballerina jeté.
    I groaned inwardly. What the hell was the matter with me? Thankfully I had not expanded on the thoughtless move, although doing so would have forced me to whirl around and see him sooner rather than later.
    Just my luck, instead I continued jogging on and… oh, no . My blood ran cold, legs heavy as weights slowing me down as nausea ripped through me, I flushed, cringing as my