Into the Future: A Callahan Novel Read Online Free Page B

“Breakfast is ready.”
    “Really?  I thought you’d still be cooking.” She walked inside the house, throwing her purse on the couch and headed straight for the dining room. 
    “I was highly motivated,” he said, closing the front door.  After securing the lock, he went to the dining room, which was now minus one sexy city attorney.
    “Lizzy?”
    “In the kitchen.  The food was warm so I’m heating it up.  Sit down, I’ll be right back,” she called from the kitchen.
    He did as she suggested.  Then Lizzy emerged with two plates, steaming from the microwave.  She placed one in front of him and took her place across the six chair table.  He watched as she ate heartily.   He loved her appetite. There was nothing shy about it.  She was a true foodie, just like her sister. 
    “This is delicious, Tristan.  I missed your cooking.”  She continued eating. 
    “Honey, it’s only been a week.  But thanks for the compliment.  I missed watching you eat.  I missed watching you dress and undress,” he said.  “I just missed you.”
    She smiled between bites of food, and sips of coffee.  “So why did you break up with me?”
    He knew this was coming, but still the admission was going to hurt.  “I felt like a third wheel.  Every time we went somewhere, there was Paul.  He was at the office, at your house, at the soccer games, I just couldn’t take it anymore.”  He waited for her to defend her ex as she always had in the past, but she merely nodded. 
    “I know and that’s my fault.  I was trying to please everyone involved.  I didn’t want him saying I was trying to keep him from his kids.”
    He nodded.  “It’s a tightrope act, trying to please everyone.  Someone always gets the short end.  I’m sorry, I over reacted. I did exactly what Paul wanted.  I ran at the first sight of trouble. I should have known better.  I’m Irish, we don’t run.”
    She laughed.  “It’s a lot for a man to take in.  I get it.”
    “No, you don’t get it.  I should have stayed by your side and not let a man with too much time on his hands run me away from you.”
    The look of surprise on her beautiful face was priceless.  “So you’re taking responsibility for this?”  She reloaded her plate, then stared at him waiting for his answer. 
    “Absolutely.  In my marriage, there was always drama and it drove me bananas.  I just didn’t want that this time around, but I realize today you can’t control another adult.  Paul is being a jerk because you initiated the divorce.”
    “Yeah, that’s what Mom says too.  And the fact that I really didn’t need him in the marriage for financial stability ate at him as well.  I think that was the reason for his irresponsible behavior.”  She rose and grabbed her plate.  “I’m going to heat up my food.  You ready for round two?”
    Tristan looked down at his almost full plate.  He’d been so busy staring at Lizzy, he hadn’t ate much, but his food had also gotten cold.  “I need to reheat too.”
    She shook her head.  “I got it.  You sit.” 
    Before he could react, she’d picked up his plate and headed for the kitchen. Tristan shook his head.  Now what?  Where would they go from here?  Could they go from here?
    “Here you go.”  She placed the dish in front of him.  “You need to eat faster.”  She smiled at him, as she sat down with her plate.  “I’m on my second helping and you haven’t even finished one.  Lightweight.”  She dug into her meal. 
    He decided a little prodding was in order.  “I was preoccupied.   I was thinking where would we go from now.”
    “Who said I wanted to start?”  She continued eating as if she hadn’t just crushed his world.  “Maybe after that little episode and psychotic ex-husband, I’m just done.  I want normal too.”
    “I think we’re worth another try.”  He reached across the table.  “Why don’t we start over?  You know like our first date.”
    “So