Secret Admirer Read Online Free Page A

Abbie raised her pint glass, tipping it toward Bree.
    “Twenty-nine forever.” Bree clinked Abbie’s glass, then mine.
    A decent, local band started playing at nine, but by ten-thirty I was fading and glad when Bree suggested we walk back to my apartment. Alec drove to the bar and switched to water earlier in the evening, but he was now talking to a guy I hadn’t met yet.
    “You girls can go ahead. I’ll pick you up in about twenty minutes, Bree,” Alec said. “Josh just got here so I’ll hang with him and settle up the tab.”
    “Sounds good, Babe.” Bree reached for her coat.
    Josh gave Bree a peck on the cheek then turned to me. “Sorry I’m so late. I didn’t mean to miss meeting you, Andi. Sam is being elusive—again.”
    “No worries, Josh. It’s nice to put a face with a phone number. I hope Sam shows up.”
    “Thanks. We’ll see.” He shrugged. “I’ll be earlier next time, I promise. Stay warm on your walk home.”
    I thanked him again and left wondering if Sam was a guy or a girl. I couldn’t discern from the way Josh spoke of their unpredictable relationship.
    On the chilly walk to my place, Bree asked if I’d had fun.
    I lowered my scarf to answer her coherently. “Absolutely. I appreciate you including me.”
    “Of course! Sorry the guy pool was shallow tonight. You may have figured out Josh is gay, and you already know Ethan and Alec are off the market. Maybe Garrett can make it next time and bring some friends.” She elbowed me. “Or, you could make contact with Cute Coffee Shop Guy this week.”
    At her playful, yet vigorous, jab, I struggled to regain my balance. “I’ll do my best. But, who’s Garrett?”
    She shrugged. “Just one of the guys. He had to go out of town at the last minute. This happens with him sometimes.”
    Aha, the contact who mentioned me was a guy. “He has an important job?”
    “I guess so. He assists new businesses, ‘go live,’ getting up their websites or launching new programs and platforms or whatever. The techie stuff is all foreign to me, but he’s a good guy and an old friend of Ethan’s.”
    Bree air quoted as she explained the technological speak which I actually understood. My brother was the head of an IT firm and had been intrigued by anything with wires when we were growing up. As his little sister, I was in awe of his knowledge and picked up a lot of information. If Garrett was the go-to guy supporting websites and programs, then he was a very vital part of either a software company or networking firm. I was impressed, but tried not to let my interest show. I simply nodded, though I wanted to ask more.
    Arriving at my building thoroughly frozen, I invited Bree into the heated lobby. Alec’s luxury, crossover SUV pulled alongside us so we said our goodnights.
    Before I shut down my phone for the night, I changed all the random numbers to their corresponding names and smiled at the new group of friends. As I swiped the power-off screen, I thought about the 4535 number that I know identified as Garrett. Bree said he was just one of the guys, and a good one. Well, I knew all about being just one of the guys, and just happened to be looking for one of the good ones this time.

Chapter Four
    After a weekend of unpacking and breaking down corrugated cardboard boxes, I was ready to get back to the office, but more importantly, to the Fresh Start.
    Pulling my car slowly into the lot through icy rain, I spied Cute Coffee Shop Guy backing into a spot. His environmentally friendly little electric car was hard to miss, though it barely made any noise. Relieved I got the timing right, I pumped my fist in the air before exiting my car. Today I would make contact.
    Opting to run into the café instead of fighting with an umbrella, I beat him inside. While shaking out my wet hair, fingering my bangs back in place, I was aware of him getting in line right behind me. Allowing him time to catch up at the service station, I took extra-long separating a