Love Redesigned Read Online Free Page A

There’s a crown over the bed!” A small golden canopy hung on the wall, and grayish-purple fabric draped down to frame the bed.
    Connie Sue giggled. “Makes you feel like a princess, doesn’t it?
    “This is the most elegant room I’ve ever seen. I’m almost afraid to touch anything.” She walked over to Connie Sue and hugged her. “You’ve come a long way from a farmhouse outside Atlanta, baby.”
    “Sometimes I have to pinch myself to believe this is really happening.”
    “All funnin’ aside. I have to ask, since your folks aren’t around anymore. Does he treat you right? Make you happy?”
    Connie Sue sat down on the bed. “Absolutely. He totally makes me happy. He completes me. Took us awhile to smooth things out, but we made it. And I adore Melly and Bella. I think I’m going to love being a mom.”
    Genevieve opened the suitcase waiting for her on the luggage bench by the closet. “Good, because I might have to let Daniel loose on him if he doesn’t treat you right.” She picked up her robe and toiletry bag, shook out the dress she would wear for dinner later.
    “I cannot believe he punched Roman! I didn’t know he had it in him. I always thought of him more as a lover than a fighter,” Connie Sue remarked.
    “He learned to defend himself growing up. He told me once it was hard growing up in a small town in the South, knowing he was different. I guess he got to be kinda scrappy in fights. I’m so sorry it caused a scene. This is a happy time for you, and I don’t want anything to interfere with that.”
    “It’s not your fault. I just wish I’d known.” Connie Sue twitched at the duvet on the bed. “Sooo . . .”
    “What?”
    “I assume by Daniel’s reaction he knew about Roman. How come you never told me? Did your dad know?”
    Genevieve shook her head. “No, I never told Dad. It was long over by the time he was in recovery, and I didn’t feel comfortable telling him about my broken heart.” She stroked a hand over Connie Sue’s hair. “I’m sorry I never told you about it. Like I said, you were too young, and I really didn’t want to talk about it. To anyone. Daniel knows because he’d called me once and Roman answered the phone. So he bullied it out of me when I got home. You know how he can be.” She pulled her boots off, and curled her toes in the luxuriously thick gray carpet. She sighed. How do women wear heels every day?
    “So, are you going to tell me how you met him?”
    “I’m dying to take a shower after that long flight. Can we talk later?”
    “Sure. I’ll be right here waiting.” Connie Sue leaned back against the bank of pillows and crossed her legs.
    Shoot. Doesn’t she ever give up? I just want to be alone to process all of this. Maybe have a good cry while I’m at it.
    She walked into the bathroom and shut the door. Hoped if she dawdled long enough, her cousin would get tired of waiting and leave. Her mind was still reeling over seeing Roman again. Why does the world have to be such a small place?
    Sliding the shower curtain back, she almost whimpered. She’d always wanted a showerhead that hung from the ceiling and disbursed water like rain. She turned the faucets on to let the water get hot, and glanced at her reflection in the antique mirror hanging on the wall.
    She peered closer, noticing the faint lines fanning from her eyes. Why is it men age so well, and women just age? It’s not fair he’s only gotten better looking the older he gets. Even the gray sprinkled in his hair and beard make him look distinguished.
    She straightened up, mentally slapping herself. Stop thinking about him! You’re over him. You are!
    His voice . . . it still had that velvety texture, deep and delicious, smooth as the finest dark chocolate she preferred for baking. He’d literally had her at ‘ bonjour ’ the day they met.
    If I’m so over him, then why do his words echo in my brain?
    She huffed out a breath, undressed, and got in the shower. The warm water