The Games We Play Vol. 2 (Riley Grayson) Read Online Free Page B

morning and I said yes. It’s no big deal.”
    “Oh, it most certainly is a big deal! You were going to call him, weren’t you?”
    Ali shrugged again, then looked away. She turned toward the coffee pot and poured herself a cup. She sipped it, flinching at how strong it was. One scoop too many, she thought, adding a couple of teaspoons of sugar to it.
    “Allison Rebecca Ford!” Hilary stomped her foot. “You promise me right now that you will not call him.”
    “Why would I do that?” She turned to face her friend. “We had a good time last night. Not like you were listening to my story earlier anyways. Why not do it again? Not the threesome part, but hang out with him. As you said, I need to get Pat off my mind. Well, Riley does that.” He did that last night.
    “That’s probably true, but if you go calling a guy like Riley—” Hilary was cut off by Ali.
    “And what kind of guy exactly is he?”
    Hilary didn’t have to answer her question. They both knew that Riley was a womanizer who got what he wanted, when he wanted it. She continued, “As I was saying, if you go calling Riley hours after you left his house, he’s going to think you’re crazy. You’ll appear desperate. You’re not desperate, are you?
    Ali shook her head.
    “Right.” Hilary’s eyes popped out of her head when she said it to emphasize her point. “Of course not. You cannot call him for at least three days. I’d say wait five just to be sure. Tease him. Pretend like you don’t care at all. That was our plan to begin with, remember? One night. That was all.”
    Ali nearly choked on her mouthful of coffee. “Wait a week? Are you nuts?”
    “No. I’m serious. You’re not desperate.” Her eyes bugged out of her head again. “You have to play this cool or I promise you’ll never see that guy again.” Hilary crossed her arms over her chest and glared at Ali.
    “Why are you looking at me like that?”
    “Like what?”
    “Like I’m going to mess this up.”
    “Because you are.” Hilary laughed. “Sorry, sweetie, but you tend to get very attached to something or someone and you drive them away. What do they call that?” Hilary looked off into the distance as if she were contemplating a major life decision. “An addictive personality.”
    Ali rolled her eyes. “You’re a psychology major. You’re in no position to psycho-analyze me.”
    “Whatever. It’s not your fault. You just don’t have the experience. Dating that loser of a boyfriend for so long got you all rusty. It’s a whole new game now. Just don’t call him.” Hilary adjusted her towel, turned on her heel, and walked into her bedroom, shutting the door a little harder than necessary.
    Ali sighed. Was Hilary right? Should Ali wait a week to call Riley? Deep in her heart she knew it was the truth. Riley was a ladies’ man. A player. He didn’t need her to chase him. He had plenty of other women to do that, she was sure. No. Her best option was to remain aloof, distant. Act like she couldn’t care less if he called or wanted to see her again. Besides, it was only a week. She could keep herself busy for a week.
    No problem.
    Hilary had been on Ali’s case about redecorating the apartment. Now was as good a time as any. It was a brand new year after all. It was time to start fresh, make changes, improve. Ali nodded and dumped her now cold coffee down the sink. Yes. They would spend the week redecorating. It was a perfect idea.

CHAPTER 4
     
    Riley had been in his studio for almost four hours, painting, getting lost in the music blaring around him. It wasn’t unusual for him to lose track of time but he’d never gone this long without stopping for a break. He rubbed the back of his arm across his forehead and stepped back to admire his work. A frown tugged at his lips.
    He’d painted Ali. It was the vision he’d had of her at the party when he first saw her. She’d been standing at the table with her friend and Jackson. But Riley had only included Ali