Touch of Love Read Online Free

such a great idea. Jessica seemed to not like Brad one bit; talking about him brought out nastiness Elly didn’t even know her friend possessed. Trying to tiptoe on the thin line between loyalty to the man she was about to marry and her friend was getting tiresome.
    ‘He isn’t perfect , and I know it,’ she offered, her tone reconciliatory. ‘But he loves me, and I love him, too. I mean, what couple doesn’t run into problems from time to time? At least we talk about it.’
    Jess looked as if she wanted to say something but had decided to bite her tongue. She sighed, her eyes regretful. ‘All right, I’ll shut up.’ She stabbed her food with her fork with more force than needed, her lovely face resigned. ‘I’m starving, anyway.’
    They ate in silence, the soft music playing in the background filling the otherwise oppressive quiet. It wasn’t the first time an argument about Brad had spoiled their lunch. Elly had to think of what it would be like when she and Brad got married. Would her friends shun her because they didn’t like her husband and were unwilling to give him a shot?
    But then Jess smiled, dimples appearing in her lovely, peach y cheeks.
    ‘O h, my goodness, the guy in the corner is totally checking us out.’ She put down her fork and leaned closer. ‘He is absolutely gorgeous, Elly. Take a peek.’
    Elly wasn’t surprised Jess noticed him right away. She was a terrible flirt at college and so many desperate guys had visited their dorm that Elly had stopped trying to remember their names.
    ‘ Take a look, will you?’
    Elly didn’t want to follow the prompting, knowing the guy would be looking at Jess, anyway. Not that she was envious, but facts were facts. She had never been the one to stop a man in his tracks, save for Brad. That might have been part of the reason she was so relieved when he’d proposed. She immediately scolded herself for the thought. Jess’s nagging had gotten to her.
    ‘He ’s staring at you,’ Jess whispered dramatically, her eyes round with wonder. ‘Oh, man, I think he’s coming over.’
    That sounded alarming. And as it was, Jess seemed shocked enough to forget to breathe. Having her friend choke would be criminal.
    She turned in her seat, praying for the man not to notice her interest. Nothing was more embarrassing than two gals ogling a man. But she was ready to get it over with and return to her food. She was starving, and they had only twenty minutes before she was expected to return to the office. Working for a busy advertising agency could be a drag.
    Cautiously , she glanced at the man in question, her eyes widening when she finally saw his face. She found herself smiling, Jess’s surprised expression barely registering in her brain. ‘Jake?’
    He grinned widely, his blue eyes sparkling with mischievous joy. He closed the distance between them with three fast steps.
    ‘ Elly? I thought it was you.’ He looked at her with such cheerful satisfaction that she could do nothing but smile, forgetting her friend and the rest of the restaurant. It was Jake Svenson, for God’s sake! The hottest guy in her high school, he was one year her senior. Every girl was smitten with the tall, brown-haired, blue-eyed boy with a smile that could light up the room.
    ‘ What are you doing here?’
    He grabbed a chair and joined them with a confidence devoid of any arrogance. She was really glad to see him. Memories of her third year of high school flooded her mind, bringing back his chivalrous gesture that had saved her from total embarrassment.
    ‘I just came back from LA.’ He waved at the waitress, and his charming apology for changing seats was met with a smile that could have melted the polar ice caps. That was the effect Jake had on women.
    Elly was aware of Jess’s burning impatience to be introduced. ‘Jessica, this is my friend, Jake. We went to school together.’ She obliged, watching them shake hands and smile at each other.
    ‘You live in LA?’ Jess