In Pursuit Read Online Free Page B

singsong voice.
    I jump up off my stomach and pat the bedding near me. “Just blogging a little. I didn’t wake you guys when I came in, did I?”
    She drops down next to me. “Not at all. We were both out, tired from the gym. Harris is gone now, so you don’t have to hide.”
    “I’m not hiding!” My voice sounds unnaturally high and defensive so I clear my throat. My hands flutter about the computer anxiously. Can she tell I was immediately attracted to him? “You just looked so peaceful, and I didn’t want to disturb you.”
    “Okay, okay, I’m just teasing you, little mouse. You don’t mind the nickname do you? I give them to all of my friends... and I’m hoping we can become that. Friends, ya know?”
    For someone who came off so confident, now Claire sounds unsure of herself.
    The feathers that were ruffled from the pet name immediately smooth over and I offer her a reassuring smile. “Never really had a nickname before, and I hate to admit it, but I am sort of meek, so I guess it fits.”
    “Oh, no!” She rests her hand on mine, giving it a reassuring squeeze. “I don’t mean it that way at all. It’s just that you’re sweet and gentle. I only mean it in the most complimentary way.”
    “Well, thanks. It’s nice to have a friend who gives me a nickname.”
    The silence between us is awkward for half a beat, and then Claire’s shiny happy face comes back.
    “I know the best Thai, we’re ordering in, and watching trashy TV.” With the hand she is already clutching, she drags me into the kitchen for our first official roommate dinner.

    Much later, we are both lying with our legs stretched out along the couch. Claire surprises me when she admits that she can’t get enough of a reality show following around a group of women in New York.
    “The single one tried to hook up with Harris at the Hamptons last summer. Can you believe?” She sounds nonchalant, like reality stars are always hitting on her brother.
    I stare at the curvaceous bombshell on the screen, heavy diamond earrings twinkle at us. “Her?”
    “Yes! We were partying at our friend’s house in East Hampton and she shows up like she was invited. Please , like we would mix with that skank.”
    Internally, I shrug. I don’t know what the rules are in East Hampton, but apparently showing up uninvited to a house party is gauche. Seems a little elitist to me, but I keep my mouth shut. 
    “She threw herself at my brother, rubbing her barely covered tits all over him. He basically had her kicked out.”
    That doesn’t seem too out of character, based on the way he fought with Claire this morning.
    “Harris doesn’t date, or ever really talk to women outside of work, so why would he touch something as cheap and disgusting at her? I guess the coke dripping out of her nose was probably a turn off, too.”
    Yikes.
    She’s silent as I contemplate Harris and the curvaceous reality queen. Picturing it in my mind, a scantily clad woman throwing herself at him in that way makes me feel a bit sick. It must be the Thai that’s making me this uneasy. No, it couldn’t be my attraction to Harris. Not in the slightest.
    “Come to think of it, Harris hasn’t had a girlfriend in, like, years. That’s probably why he is always so grouchy. Lack of sex.”
    “Seriously?” I erupt in giggles, relief cascading through me. “You should find a willing candidate, and then he won’t shout at you.”
    “Ugh!” She throws her head back dramatically, covering her forehead with a hand. “Why is life so hard?”
    Companionable silence resumes as we watch the end of the episode.
    “I guess I should slither off into bed. Work and all tomorrow. What are you doing?” She twists her way up into a sitting position.
    “I am going to call Amanda in the morning, thank you , and after that, I’d like to check out the Merchandise Mart and then there is a fabric store I want to review for my blog. I’m going to try and stay busy.” We’re both standing. Out