Purple Haze (Blue Dream Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

good. I mean work's crazy but that'll never change.”
     
    My brother tilts his head at me. “I meant with the break up.”
     
    “Even if it's hard to believe, trust me when I say, I'm really okay.”
     
    “I don't doubt that,” he responds.
     
    With a bit of curiosity in my tone, I sigh, “You don't?”
     
    “Nah.” He shakes his head. “While Xander was a nice guy, but the wrong kind of anal, he wasn't the right guy. Besides, I've seen my little sister heartbroken before. I know what it looks like when you're really hurt. Call me selfish, but I always pray I never have to see you like that again.”
     
    I give him a pat on the back as the waiter arrives back at our table. Only problem with Gabe's prayer means never falling that deeply in love again. Doesn't matter. I won't. Can't fall in love with someone new when I'm clearly still in love with someone old and unwilling to settle any longer for just a heartless existence.               As much as I wish Katherine would've never broke me and Ryder's letter would've never found me, I'm glad both happened. At least this way I have a second chance at a future filled with more than lonely baths, romantic fantasies, and empty I love yous.
     

Ryder
     
    I coo at my niece. “Who is the prettiest little girl in the whole wide world? You are. Yes you are Shelby.” She giggles her adorable ten month old giggle. “Ot oh...here comes the mash potato plane!” There's another laugh before she drops her mouth to welcome the spoonful.
     
    Shelly's giggle is as sweet as her daughter's. “You really are great with her.”
     
    Once the bite is in her mouth, I look over. “Thanks.”
     
    “You want kids some day?” She leans forward planting her flawless made up face in the palm of her hand. “If not you should really consider it.”
     
    Kids require dating. Dating requires finding someone you want . In my case it would be finding the only person I've ever wanted. My life may be finally changing directions, forgiveness being offered on a multitude of levels, but that's one second chance I'm not dumb enough to think I'd ever get.
     
    “They're a lot of energy,” Noah mutters from across the table.
     
    Shelly hits him with a sharp stare. “How would you know? You're always working.”
     
    “Not always,” he argues, seconds before his phone starts to vibrate across the table. Immediately he grabs it, stands, and says, “I have to take this. It's my secretary.”
     
    With a shrug she looks back at her beautiful daughter. “It's okay, right Shelby Welby. We know daddy loves us.”
     
    My eyes follow Noah out of the room. An ancient well known unease creeps into my system. I lean back in the chair and state, “That's new. I don't remember Noah getting calls from her this late.”
     
    “Noah's always getting calls,” Shelly warmly clarifies as she stands. “His job is demanding. I knew it when I married him.” Her dainty hand reaches across the table. “All done?”
     
    “Yes,” I answer in the kindest tone I can muster up. It's only been three weeks since I stopped staying here. During that time, he got several calls during dinner, but never answered them. He always returned them afterward. After he helped Shelly with dessert. After that Shelby was put to bed. I try to put the suspicion out of my mind. There are numerous things I'm beginning to hope he didn't get from our parents. “The lemon chicken was really good. Thanks again, Shelly.”
     
    “You can call me, Shel,” her insistence is proceeded with her disappearing around the corner. From the other room she yells, “You know that.”
     
    My niece makes a giggling sound, which grabs my attention. In a playful fashion I say, “Oh you like that? You like when mommy fusses at me?” She laughs again and reaches her mash potato hands out for me. “You wanna uncle Ry to pick you up? Is that what you want?” The motion in her hands increases. Her little feet kick unhappily. “Hey