A Man Apart Read Free Page A

degree.”
    â€œExpose yourself?” Maggie frowned in confusion. “I don’t get your point. Expose yourself to what?”
    â€œThat sort of emotional vulnerability,” she said.
    Maggie’s amusement showed with her easy laughter. “You’re wacko…you know that? Don’t you realize that if I’m emotionally vulnerable, stands to reason Mitch is, too?”
    â€œI suppose so,” Hannah murmured. But is he? She kept the question and her doubts to herself. She had always considered herself a pretty good judge of character, and she had been right about Todd.
    Wait and see, she told herself, lifting an eyebrow in question when Maggie, suddenly frowning, nibbled on her lower lip in consternation.
    â€œIs something wrong?”
    Maggie lifted her shoulders in an indecisive shrug. “Not really…it’s just…”
    â€œJust?” Hannah prompted.
    Maggie sighed. “Well, I think maybe I should give you a heads-up on the best man, Mitch’s brother, Justin.”
    â€œA heads-up?” Hannah grinned. “Why, is he some kind of ogre or monster?”
    Maggie grinned back. “No, of course not. It’s just…well…he’s different, a little rough around the edges, not nearly as polished as Mitch or their oldest brother, Adam.”
    â€œLike, crude?” Hannah raised an eyebrow.
    â€œNo, no.” Maggie shook her head. “Just a littlebrusque. I understand he is something of a loner, thinks women are good for one thing only.”
    â€œI don’t think I need ask what the one thing might be,” Hannah drawled. A thought occurred that brought a glint of anger into her eyes. “Was this ‘loner’ brusque and perhaps a little rude to you?”
    â€œHeavens no!” Maggie exclaimed on a laugh. “Actually, he was quite civil, really very nice.”
    â€œThen, how do you know that he—”
    Maggie interrupted. “Because Mitch gave me a heads-up.” She laughed. “He told me I should tell him at once if Justin said one word out of line.” Her laugh turned to a giggle. “Mitch said if he did, he’d mop the casino floor with him. Which, after I met him, I thought was hilarious.”
    Thoroughly confused, Hannah was about to demand a fuller explanation when Maggie glanced at the clock, pushed her chair away from the table and stood.
    â€œI think I’d better get dinner started,” Maggie said. “I don’t know about you, but I’m getting hungry. And I told Mitch we’d have coffee and dessert with him.”
    â€œOkay. I’ll help,” Hannah said, stretching as she stood.
    â€œBut…you’re my guest,” Maggie protested. “The first one I’ve had in this apartment.”
    â€œGuest, shmest,” Hannah retorted. “I’m not a guest, I’m a friend…your best friend. Right?”
    â€œRight.” Maggie gave a vigorous nod, then qualified, “After Mitch, of course.”
    Oh, brother, Hannah thought. “Oh, of course,” she agreed with a smile, skirting around the table. “What’s on the menu?”
    â€œPasta.”
    Hannah rolled her eyes. “What else?” Being Maggie’s second-best friend, she was well aware of her passion for past dishes. “What kind?”
    â€œPenne with snow peas, baby carrots, walnuts and a light oil-balsamic-vinegar sauce.”
    â€œYummy.” Hannah’s mouth watered. “And dessert?”
    â€œA surprise.” Maggie’s eyes gleamed.
    â€œOh, come on,” Hannah groused, grinning.
    Maggie shook her head. “All I’ll tell you is that Karla showed me how to make it.” Her eyes now sparkled with a teasing light. “And it’s a delight,” she finished on a suspicious-sounding giggle.
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    After their fabulous meal, Hannah leaned back in her chair. “That was wonderful,” she said, sighing with