Touch of Love Read Online Free Page B

office.
    ‘Are you staying?’ She cast Elly a resigned look, as if she already knew the answer. Still, she was visibly reluctant to leave her friend alone with such a hunk; that much was clear.
    ‘I still have some food to finish, so yeah, I think I’ll hang around .’ Gods were listening to her prayers after all. Elly pointed to her almost-empty plate, feeling like a total cheat, but enjoying it too much to feel any regret.
    Jess left briskly, visibly disappointed with Jake’s lack of interest in her hurried offer to stay in touch. Probably hoped for him to ask for her number. Elly bit her lips to stifle a little smile.
    ‘So, it’s just the two of us left?’ He leaned forward, the color of his eyes making her think of a perfect winter day, with a sky so blue it seemed Photoshopped.
    ‘Seems so,’ she agreed . And his smile deepened. He remembers I’m engaged, right? And most importantly, do I?
    ‘I s your fiancé a jealous type?’
    His question surprised her. She wanted to say yes, and the answer begged to be released from her already-opening lips. But was Brad ever jealous over her? Not that she could remember. She didn’t really give him any reasons to be, either. Still, she somehow couldn’t imagine him turning into Othello, no matter how many other men clamored for her attention.
    ‘I don’t really know .’ She had decided on honesty and was rewarded with his smile again. What does he care if Brad is jealous? Does he plan on giving him a reason to be?
    ‘Do you remember our school dance?’ He surprised her even more.
    ‘ Sure. You saved me.’ She grinned, recalling herself in the hand-me-down emerald-green dress that would have been beautiful if it weren’t a size too big. It belonged to her sister. She’d come nowhere near filling out the generous bust line, and her hips drowning in the loose folds made her about as shapely as a potato. At least that was what the other girls had said in the bathroom. And they weren’t the only ones laughing behind her back, since Rick had decided to dump her then and there, spending the rest of the evening with the other girls instead.
    ‘Nah, I didn’t mean it that way.’ His cheerful response broke into her memories, and she blinked as he continued, ‘Just how much fun we had together. One of the best parties I remember, Elly.’
    She doubted it. Surely he had much more fun in LA. She could imagine all the girls lining up to spend time with him. Everyone craved his company—always had, and probably always would. His mix of gentleness, fun, and sharp wit wasn’t that common, after all. Plus, he was seriously hot.
    ‘I ’m not so sure.’ She shook her head, toying with her fork. ‘You saw me moping like an abandoned puppy, and you took pity on me. Don’t try telling me it was any different. You were always the most chivalrous of all the guys in the drama club. I remember that much…’
    He laughed; the sound was warm and rich. Suddenly breathless, she watched him. It should be illegal to look so good, she decided, desperate to remember Brad’s face. Only instead of him, her brain decided to bring forward another face, with jet-black eyes, a straight nose, and a sensuous mouth that still lingered in her memory, two weeks later. Damn you, Adam, she thought angrily, embarrassed with her internal faux pas.
    ‘ You were not a puppy, Elly.’ Jake grinned, then speared one of his chicken pieces and chewed it slowly, almost erotically. ‘You were absolutely beautiful and, what’s even more important, fun to be with.’ He reached for his glass, then sipped his wine, the golden liquid wetting his well-cut lips. ‘Just a bit shy, that’s all.’
    It wasn’t the truth , and she knew it. But if he wanted to be nice, she wasn’t really eager to prove him wrong.
    ‘Well, good old times .’ She smiled, ready to move on. With his interesting career, talking about their high school experiences didn’t have to be on the agenda. ‘Are you here to stay for