A Love Least Expected Read Free Page A

genuine.
    “Hello! Earth to Payton!”
    I tuned back in to find my three friends staring at me with matching expressions.
    “What?”
    Dawn piped up to answer the question, “Do you want us to fix you up for next weekend. There is this new guy that just started this week. He is pretty easy on the eyes.”
    “Oh no, no, no. No more friends of friends or friends from work, or guys from the gym. I’ve had my fill of being fixed up. When I find the guy for me it will be because it was predestined. Not, not…”
    My tirade was interrupted by my phone buzzing in my back pocket. I pulled out the vibrating smart device to see I had a text from Cade.
    I’m out front. How about breakfast tomorrow ? ??
    I pulled my lower lip between my teeth and worried it as I typed in a response.
    Coming
    Lame as far as responses went, but until I had more time to consider how to handle this I didn’t want to commit to anything. Pressing the power button, I slipped the phone back into my pocket. My eyes traced the length of the bar top and found my three friends giving me curious glances.
    “Come on you guys, Cade is out front and waiting. Let’s go.” I turned and headed for the door. Avoiding the questions that no doubt were about to inundate me was well worth it. I hunkered deeper into my down filled coat and pushed out into the cold with my three closest friends following behind me.

Chapter 3

    Cade’s BMW waited at the curb in front of the exit. Dawn chose the front and I gratefully climbed into the back sliding over the chilled leather seats between Kylie and Avery. Even in the dim light of the car’s interior I could sense him watching me, checking the rear view mirror more than necessary, trying to catch my gaze.
    There was no way I was prepared to do this tonight. Kylie’s apartment was always the first drop as she lived the furthest. Half an hour later he pulled the car to stop right in front of her building.
    “Thanks, Cade talk to you soon.” Kylie chimed as she shimmied out of the car.
    As I waited for her to clear the door, Cade’s eyes met mine in the mirror. There was no mistaking the expression of displeasure on his face. This was obviously not the plan he’d had for the rest of our evening. He held my gaze for a minute and then looked away as I slipped out of the car.
    “Thanks for tonight guys, you’re great,” I called from the sidewalk before closing the car door and following Kylie inside. They all waved back as they pulled away from the curb.
    I caught up with Kylie, the snow crunching loudly beneath my feet. The extreme cold making the snow sound brittle. Giant puffs of smoke rose with each breath as we marched towards the entrance.
    “What’s up with you tonight Pay? You’re not still upset about Danny are you? Cause honestly, I didn’t think you were that into him.”
    Leave it to Kylie to notice every detail even while inebriated. “No, I am not upset about Danny. He wasn’t the guy for me and I should have done it a while ago. It’s the being alone that’s bothering me.”
    “Ahh, damn it Pay. You’re not alone, we love you. You want to get together again, all of us, in a couple of weeks?”
    “Stop. Kylie, I’ve decided being alone is okay. I don’t have to succumb to the pressure of finding Mr. Right by a particular date on the calendar. And I don’t want any of you playing match maker.”
    She pulled the heavy door to her lobby open and we stepped inside, stomping our feet to remove the snow. Her apartment was on the first floor, so without looking at her I started for the stairs. The last thing I wanted to do now, was talk about my feelings. I was already confused.
    Her keys jingled in the empty stairwell as we came to her landing, I stood off to the side and waited for her to open the door, then followed her inside. I pulled my hat from my head and began undoing my coat in the darkened apartment.
    “I’m wiped. You know where the spare pillows and blankets are. Are you bunking on