Only Skin Deep Read Online Free
Author: Cathleen Galitz
didnât so much as flinch.
âIâll get a cat.â
The least likely candidate in the entire world had just offered her an opportunity on a silver platter and she wasnât about to look that particular gift horse in the mouth. That she was mentally mixing her metaphors wasnât nearly as disturbing as the fact that her hormones were mucking up her common sense. She could only assume that Travis Banks was no more attracted to her than she herself was to Fenton Marsh.
Still, for a moment there, when she had so impetuously pressed her lips against his, she imagined feeling his heart leap against hers. With eyes half-closed she could almost hear the rhythm of his heart beating. The thought that she just might have shocked the local playboy put a silly grin on her face. Lauren had a mind to shock the entire community before she was done transforming herself from a caterpillar to a butterfly.
âWhen would you like me to pick you up so I can show you around the place?â Travis asked.
It pleased Lauren immensely that the young âladyâ who had spoken so disparagingly about her earlier in the day happened to overhear that question. When Sylvia Porterâs mouth flew open, Lauren was reminded of some luckless onlooker standing near enough to a slot machine that had just hit the jackpot to salivate over the money spilling onto the floor. She wondered if the silly goose would actually associate what sounded like a request for a date to the fact that Lauren had caught the bouquet she had so badly coveted.
Lauren wasnât nearly so superstitious herself. But she was ready to make some major changes in her life that required a leap of faith.
âWhatever time works best for you. Since school let out for summer just last week, I can be ready any time,â she told Travis, doing her best to sound breezy.
âIâll be out of town for the rest of the weekend, but I can pick you up here first thing Monday morning,â he replied.
It was perfect. That would give Lauren enough timeto see the wedding couple off and catch her breath before starting to pack her own bags. Unless the cabin was an absolute hovel, she wanted to move in as soon as possible. The nicest wedding gift she could think of giving her mother was her privacy when she returned from her honeymoon cruise.
âItâs a date,â she said, just loud enough for Sylvia to overhear.
Â
Though Lauren was exhausted after driving her mother and Henry to the airport then returning home to clean up after the gala reception, her brain was too busy making plans to let her fall asleep easily that night. Standing before her closet, she studied her wardrobe with a critical eye. It seemed everything she owned was a tasteful blend of blue, black or beige. As much as she loved and admired her mother, shopping with her over the years had clearly limited Laurenâs sense of adventure. All too often, she came home from a sale dressed like a much older woman.
Deciding there was no time like summer to reinvent herself without the added worry of what her students and colleagues might think, Lauren began piling stacks of her most matronly items to give to Good Will. The first article to go was a perfectly serviceable, lace-around-the-high-collar nightgown that her aunt Hattie had given her for Christmas. She might not be ready for a pink feather boa just yet, but she secretly longed for a satin negligee and matching robe to replace her old flannel one. Someday. For now sheâd settle for gettingrid of the unimpressive outfits populating her life. Soon, the pile included sedate cardigans, demure blouses, conservative skirts and well-below-the-knee dresses. The purge left just a few basics hanging on her closet but she felt more liberated than ever before.
And liberation called for a celebration. Alone in the house for the first time since she could remember, Lauren staged her first conscious act of rebellion against her boring,
âIâll get a cat.â
The least likely candidate in the entire world had just offered her an opportunity on a silver platter and she wasnât about to look that particular gift horse in the mouth. That she was mentally mixing her metaphors wasnât nearly as disturbing as the fact that her hormones were mucking up her common sense. She could only assume that Travis Banks was no more attracted to her than she herself was to Fenton Marsh.
Still, for a moment there, when she had so impetuously pressed her lips against his, she imagined feeling his heart leap against hers. With eyes half-closed she could almost hear the rhythm of his heart beating. The thought that she just might have shocked the local playboy put a silly grin on her face. Lauren had a mind to shock the entire community before she was done transforming herself from a caterpillar to a butterfly.
âWhen would you like me to pick you up so I can show you around the place?â Travis asked.
It pleased Lauren immensely that the young âladyâ who had spoken so disparagingly about her earlier in the day happened to overhear that question. When Sylvia Porterâs mouth flew open, Lauren was reminded of some luckless onlooker standing near enough to a slot machine that had just hit the jackpot to salivate over the money spilling onto the floor. She wondered if the silly goose would actually associate what sounded like a request for a date to the fact that Lauren had caught the bouquet she had so badly coveted.
Lauren wasnât nearly so superstitious herself. But she was ready to make some major changes in her life that required a leap of faith.
âWhatever time works best for you. Since school let out for summer just last week, I can be ready any time,â she told Travis, doing her best to sound breezy.
âIâll be out of town for the rest of the weekend, but I can pick you up here first thing Monday morning,â he replied.
It was perfect. That would give Lauren enough timeto see the wedding couple off and catch her breath before starting to pack her own bags. Unless the cabin was an absolute hovel, she wanted to move in as soon as possible. The nicest wedding gift she could think of giving her mother was her privacy when she returned from her honeymoon cruise.
âItâs a date,â she said, just loud enough for Sylvia to overhear.
Â
Though Lauren was exhausted after driving her mother and Henry to the airport then returning home to clean up after the gala reception, her brain was too busy making plans to let her fall asleep easily that night. Standing before her closet, she studied her wardrobe with a critical eye. It seemed everything she owned was a tasteful blend of blue, black or beige. As much as she loved and admired her mother, shopping with her over the years had clearly limited Laurenâs sense of adventure. All too often, she came home from a sale dressed like a much older woman.
Deciding there was no time like summer to reinvent herself without the added worry of what her students and colleagues might think, Lauren began piling stacks of her most matronly items to give to Good Will. The first article to go was a perfectly serviceable, lace-around-the-high-collar nightgown that her aunt Hattie had given her for Christmas. She might not be ready for a pink feather boa just yet, but she secretly longed for a satin negligee and matching robe to replace her old flannel one. Someday. For now sheâd settle for gettingrid of the unimpressive outfits populating her life. Soon, the pile included sedate cardigans, demure blouses, conservative skirts and well-below-the-knee dresses. The purge left just a few basics hanging on her closet but she felt more liberated than ever before.
And liberation called for a celebration. Alone in the house for the first time since she could remember, Lauren staged her first conscious act of rebellion against her boring,
Readers choose
Stephen Measday
Susan Mallery
Hilary Green
Michael Jecks
Ruby Laska
Natalie Herzer
Laird Barron
Dave Barry
Frederick Ramsay