Everything I've Never Had Read Online Free Page A

have, Celeste.”
    “If I admit that, it's like admitting my children weren't formed out of love, Bonnie. I can't do that.”
    “Fine. I’ll rephrase—you did love him, but you loved him like a friend. Your friendship with Tripp was unbelievably wonderful, and he was a good guy. But neither of you were in love with one another. I think you know that deep down. I think that's why you slept with Scott during college even though you knew it couldn’t go anywhere since you were practically betrothed to Tripp. You had the hots for him and it could’ve been more if you'd let yourself explore it. You knew you'd never feel that way for Tripp, so you reached out and experienced that little bit of passion before settling in with Tripp.”
    Holy shit! This woman! My mouth forms a tight line and I give a little shake of my head. I tsk, “You're right, Bonnie, about everything—except for your misguided insight into my feelings for Adrian. It really is just a physical thing.”
    The cat that ate the canary, she grins slyly at me and asserts, “Famous last words...”
    “Seriously. Drop it.”
    “If it's only physical, why don't you get it out of your system?” she challenges.
    “Umm...that would not be a smart path to pursue. You know as well as I do what happens when you complicate relationships with sex. Besides, we couldn't be together even if we wanted to.”
    “And why on earth not? You're both consenting adults. You've both been in relationships and are mature and would treat each other with respect.”
    “One word—family. Tripp's family would not tolerate that. They would make things difficult for my family. It would be bad all the way around.”
    Bonnie purses her lips for a moment before asking, “Why would they care? Who would y’all hurt?”
    “They would care because of who his father is. It may not make sense, but that’s the way they operate. Adrian is finally working his way back into the family fold and sleeping with me is a surefire way to get him compared to his father and ostracized further. I wouldn't put that on him. They're finally starting to accept him, and I know that's something he wants. That's the whole reason behind his reaching out to Tripp a few years back.”
    “Ah...You never really went into detail on that.”
    “Well, it’s important to him. Even though he wants nothing to do with the family business, he wants to know his family, and when he decides to have his own, he wants his children to know their heritage. So Tripp stepped in and championed him to get the family to open up to him. Adrian's done the rest on his own, though.”
    “So why not a little hidden affair? No one would be the wiser except for me. You know I would keep my mouth shut.”
    A cynical laugh escapes before I can control it, and I roll my eyes at her ridiculousness. “Umm...did we just meet? Because you know my family. Hiding anything in my family is as far-fetched as an Oasis reunion tour. Shoot...my family makes the Ewings look like the Cleavers.”
    Bonnie has the nerve to freaking chuckle at me. Like I'm over-exaggerating or something! “You're so right, girl! What was I thinking? Why would they care, though?”
    “They care about everything that has anything to do with image and public opinion.”
    She leans in and stares me down. “I know you’ve been programmed not to question your family, Celeste, but they shouldn't be in charge of your entire life. And I know there's a little rebellion hiding in there, girl!”
    That’s because questions could end you. “Me? Rebellious? You've known me since we were eight. When have I ever been rebellious?”
    She ticks her fingers off as she counts the ways. “I've already offered Scott as exhibit A. Exhibit B I don't see any little Charles Andrew Hebert the effin' fourth running around here—not one of your kids has a pretentious name. C, you drive a freakin' red MINI with racing stripes and three kids in tow. D, Rock 'N' Roll blares out of your speakers