Wishes Read Online Free Page A

sure.”
    Patrick smiled and devoted himself to finishing his meal. Between bites, he said, “I hooked up with Madison last night. She told me a little about Kennedy, and maybe you should talk to her first. I don’t think she’ll tell all Kennedy’s secrets, but she cares about her friend and will want only the best for her.”
    Graham shrugged. “I need to get her phone number and address, anyhow. And I’m a great believer in knowing my enemy.” He paused. “Want to tell me what’s up with you and Madison?”
    “I can’t explain it myself, Gray,” Patrick answered quietly. “She’s different somehow, and I want to date her, God help me.”
    “Whatever I can do, buddy, to help. If you need time off or whatever,” Graham offered. Patrick? Dating? Mr. I’ll train ’em and fuck ’em and pass them on. That Patrick?
    The two sat quietly, lost in their thoughts until the server came to clear the table.

    * * * *

    Kennedy shifted her purse to the arm that held the sack with the wine bottle in order to free the hand holding the keys to her door. She held the keys between her knuckles, making them into a pretty fair weapon. Old habits. She had interviewed twice today for PA positions, and both looked promising. One was with an oil company director and the other for a CEO of a popular fashion outlet. Kennedy had liked both men and would find it hard to choose between the two if the jobs were offered to her. She had a week to wait and three more interviews lined up between then and now, so she was confident that she would once again be gainfully employed. She wasn’t used to quiet, empty days, particularly when her recent time with Madison and Alberta was spent ignoring a really big elephant in the room or working hard at not thinking about that big elephant. But for now, all she could think about was getting into some comfortable clothes and pouring a big glass of wine.
    The biggest part of the elephant stood outside her apartment door. Actually, he leaned against the doorjamb, his arms folded across his chest, totally relaxed. Kennedy began to back up slowly. Graham wore tailored pants and a short sleeve button-down shirt, his feet shod in nice leather slip-ons, but he still reminded her of a dangerous animal, one she had already poked with a stick.
    “Ms. Johnson,” he rumbled. “I wonder if I might have a word with you?”
    Kennedy continued to back away. “Okay,” she said carefully. “We can talk on the sidewalk.” She wondered if she could club him with the bottle of wine if he rushed her.
    Graham chuckled. “I assure you, Ms. Johnson, you have nothing to fear from me. We are not at the club, and in any event, you are more than capable of taking care of yourself.”
    Kennedy shook her head. “Uh-uh. Sorry. I don’t know how you found out where I live…” She stopped. How could they do this to her? They were supposed to be her friends!
    “Go away, Mr. Alexander. Go. Or I’ll call the police and report a stalker.”
    She watched as Graham visibly turned on the charm, working hard at being convincing and trying to look as nonthreatening as possible. “Could I take you to dinner, then?”
    Kennedy wheeled and took off for the main door of the building. Graham uncoiled his broad frame and beat her to it. He must have accepted that she was afraid of him, for he backed up, holding up both hands in a gesture of surrender.
    “Ms. Johnson,” he spoke quietly, “I owe you an apology and would really like to just talk with you.”
    Kennedy pushed through the outside door to mingle with the pedestrians on the opposite side of the street.

Chapter Three

    Kennedy huddled over a hot chocolate in the little diner she had stumbled into after making a fool of herself. Graham had scared her for sure, and she had slipped back into a time where running and hiding might have saved her if only she had had the option. But this time she was running from herself, too, from that strange attraction. She couldn’t even