Rebound Therapy (Rebound #1) Read Online Free

impossible.”
    “I know. It’s part of my charm. Keep me posted.”
    “Like you’d let me do otherwise.”

    *
    On Tuesday Brian calls me.
    “I know we were going to watch The Princess Bride this week, but I was hoping I could get a rain check on that. There’s a midnight showing Saturday night of The Rocky Horror Picture Show at the indie theater downtown. A bunch of my friends are going. What do you say—are you up for it?”
    “I’ve never seen The Rocky Horror Picture Show . “
    “What? You were hassling me about The Princess Bride and you haven’t seen Rocky Horror ? That settles it. You have to come.”
    “Okay. I’ll come.”
    “Great. I’ll come over early to help you get in costume, and then we can grab a bite to eat before the movie.”
    “Costume?”
    “Yeah. Everyone dresses up as characters from the movie. It’s loads of fun. You’ll love it.”
    “I’ve never seen the movie, Brian. How am I supposed to know what to wear as a costume?”
    “That’s why I’m coming over to help you. Don’t worry. I won’t make you dress too crazy. I’ll meet you at your place at nine thirty. Is that okay?”
    “How long will it take to get in costume. I don’t live that far from downtown.”
    He laughs. “Don’t worry. It won’t be really elaborate. But that’ll give us plenty of time to get food after we’re ready to go.”
    “You’re planning on going out in costume? It’s not even close to Halloween. People will think we’re crazy.”
    “That or they’ll think we’re going to see Rocky Horror . But if it makes you feel better, I’ll bring a pizza.”
    “Yeah, let’s do pizza. It’ll be bad enough going to a theater in costume.”
    Brian laughs again. “Okay, pizza it is. I’ll see you at nine thirty on Saturday.”

CHAPTER THREE

    Brian arrives on Saturday right on time, pizza in hand.
    “Hey,” he says when I open the door.
    “Hi. Come on in.”
    I take the pizza and set it on the kitchen table, then move to the cabinets to get plates. When I turn around, Brian’s right there. He takes the plates out of my hands, sets them on the counter, then leans in and kisses me. This one lingers more than his kisses goodnight after our last date. Still sweet, but with a promise of something more.
    He pulls back and flashes me a grin. “You ran away with the pizza before I could say a proper hello.”
    “Hi,” I say again. His smile grows bigger. Apparently he gets a kick out of flustering me.
    I retrieve the plates from the counter and take them to the table. “There are drinks in the fridge,” I call over my shoulder. “Help yourself.”
    “Sure,” he says, opening the fridge. “What do you want?”
    “Grab me a soda. I think I need the caffeine tonight.”
    “I promise you won’t be bored.” There’s a glint of mischief in his eyes.
    “I’m not sure if that’s reassuring or not.”
    He just laughs. I spot a shopping bag on the table next to the pizza. “Is that my costume?” I’m trying to keep the nerves out of my voice, but I can tell he notices. He just keeps smiling.
    “Don’t worry. It’s nothing bad. You won’t even feel that dressed up, I promise.”
    I pull the bag over while Brian helps himself to some pizza. It’s from Mangiamo’s, the gourmet pizza place across the street from The Barrel Room, Brian’s wine bar. It looks and smells delicious.
    I look inside the bag and see nothing but white. I pull it out and realize it’s a white, knee-length dress. There’s also a white cardigan. He’s right. This isn’t much of a costume. It just seems like normal clothes, if not my usual style. That’s all that’s in the bag.
    “Is your costume in the car?” I ask.
    “Nope, this is it. I have a few props in the car, but I’m already dressed.”
    I look him over in gray slacks and a normal looking shirt. He’s already taken off the tan windbreaker he was wearing when he came in. He reaches over to his jacket and pulls out a pair of black hipster-like