Torn Read Online Free Page B

up and head to lunch with the girls.
After packing up her notes and closing her books, she informed
Maggie that she was ready to go. After meeting some friends
downstairs, they slipped on their scarves and coats, and decided to
walk to The Spot for Pepe’s pizza. After eating two slices, Katie
remembered to check her phone to see if the unknown caller had left
a message. She held the phone to her ear and grinned as Branson’s
voice filled her ear.
    “ Hi, it’s Branson Stone. I
was calling to see if you were free tonight for dinner and a movie.
My number should be on your caller ID now, so . . . I hope to hear
from you soon.”
    Katie couldn’t quit smiling as she
thought of a night out with Branson.
    “ Whoever that was has you
grinning from ear to ear—do tell.” Alexa Greer rested her elbows on
the table and placed her chin on folded hands. She was a bossy,
know-it-all that set Katie on edge, to the point she hardly enjoyed
the girl’s company. She was an attractive girl with a cute, brown
pixie cut, but didn’t have a personality to match.
    Maggie leaned forward and said, “It
was him, wasn’t it? Branson?”
    Katie glared at Maggie for sharing her
life with the table. “Yes. He asked me to dinner and a movie
tonight.” It took all her willpower not to giggle and act like a
boy-crazy teenager, instead she said matter-of-factly, “I should be
able to go, since I studied this morning.”
    Alexa’s eyes grew wide in disbelief.
“Branson Stone asked you out?” she asked, the jealousy clear in her
voice and posture.
    “ Yes, do you know him?”
Katie asked.
    Alexa sat back in her
chair and let the smile fade from her lips. “I don’t know him
personally, but I’ve heard he’s a real player. A lot of girls throw
themselves at him — it’s gone to his head.”
    Maggie whipped her head
around to Alexa, looking as if she could burn a hole through her
with the power behind her angry eyes. “Well, if that’s true, why
have you been
after him for the last two years—attending every tennis match? You
don’t even play tennis!”
    Katie stood and started to put her
coat on. “Okay, I’m a grown woman, perfectly capable of discerning
a good guy from a player. I’m going out with him again. I really
enjoy his company. I mean jeez, it’s just a date.”
    Katie couldn’t wait to get back to her
room and call Branson in private. She wouldn’t dare talk to him
with an eavesdropping Alexa within hearing distance. As she and
Maggie walked back to the dorm, all she could think about was what
she would wear and how she would style her hair. Excitement and
nerves played with each other on her insides, and she suddenly
wished she hadn’t eaten the second slice of pizza.
     
    ***
    Branson pulled on a pair of jeans and
looked at his grey sweater. He gave it a couple of good shakes,
trying to get the wrinkles out, and then slipped it over his head.
He thought about Katie. There was something intriguing about her
that he couldn’t put his finger on. She was beautiful, and kind,
but it was her quirky confidence that made him eager to get to know
her better. He enjoyed her conversation, and for the first time in
his life he had chickened out of kissing a girl. She had given him
every chance, and he blew it. He wouldn’t make that mistake
again.
    He let his thoughts wander
to the last conversation with his father. “Dad, you’ve worked hard to build this company. You can’t
just let me step in and take over. Let’s work together—you’re much
too young to retire.”
    “ No, your mother and I
want to see the world while we’re still young. You’re a fine
businessman, son, and you’ll do an excellent job of filling my
shoes. Just don’t outshine me too quickly, okay?”
    “ So, where are you and mom
going first?”
    “ Your mother has always
wanted to see Ireland, so we’ll start there and travel around
Europe. We’ll come back to see you on occasion, of course.” His dad
mussed up Branson’s hair, like