Back for You Read Free Page B

he
says.”
    Asia placed her half-full margarita glass on the end table with a loud
snick. “I thought he was gallivanting around the world living the glamorous
life of a freelance reporter.”
    “Yeah, me too. And I can’t tell you how much I wish he was.”
    Asia shook her head, amazement evident in her pretty features. “Did he
say why he’s here?”
    “He claims he’s come back for me. Not that I believe him.”
    Asia’s eyes went wide. “You’re kidding. How do you feel about that?”
    Now there’s a really good question. Thea sat back in the chair
across from her and tried to corral her emotions. “I don’t know. Confused, angry,
annoyed, panicked, worried. Pick one.”
    “Worried? Why?”
    Thea hesitated, concerned that giving voice to her thoughts would somehow
make them more real.
    The front door flew open and her other good friend, Lexi, bustled in to join
them. She’d only moved into town about six months ago, but the three of them were
kindred spirits and had become as close as sisters almost immediately.
    “Sorry I’m late, guys.” Her shoulder-length glossy brown hair caught the
light as she plunked herself next to Asia on the far end of the couch. “What
did I miss?” She dropped her purse on the floor and turned her full attention on
them.
    When Thea didn’t comment, Asia tucked a stray blonde curl behind her ear
and answered. “The love of Thea’s life has come back to town with his sights
set on winning her back.”
    “Wow. I miss all the good stuff.” Lexi looked from one to the other of
them in confusion. No doubt because Asia looked worried and Thea probably
looked like she wanted to chew someone’s face off. Also, she didn’t know
anything about Cain. “Is this a good thing or a bad thing?”
    “Bad. Very bad.” Thea filled Lexi’s glass from the pitcher of margaritas
on the coffee table.
    When Thea didn’t elaborate, Asia explained. “Ten years ago Cain left town
without a word to Thea. Just left her a note saying he was sorry but he had to
see the world and pursue his dreams.”
    Lexi scowled. “What a jerk.”
    “Yeah, no kidding.”
    Thea turned thoughtful. “You know, I could have come to terms with Cain
wanting to see the world. And I always knew he wanted to be a reporter. What I
can’t get past is that he didn’t tell me to my face. He left me a damned note.
I thought I meant more to him than that.”
    “At least he did that much, I guess. He could’ve left you wondering what
happened.”
    Thea shrugged at Lexi’s comment. “Color me not impressed. It didn’t help.
All I could think was that he couldn’t wait to get away from me.” Just like
every other important person in her life. Her parents’ deaths had proven that beyond
a shadow of a doubt.
    Lexi’s intelligent face scrunched up in disgust. “Guys can be such pigs.”
    Asia piped in. “Not all of them.”
    “Easy for you to say, now that you’ve snagged the best guy in town.”
    Asia’s secret smile wasn’t lost on Thea. “It’s true. Marcus is awesome.
Sorry, ladies.”
    “Yeah, right. Sure you are.”
    Concern etched Asia’s face. “Well, what do you want me to say? I am sorry
neither of you have met a great guy like Marcus.”
    Thea took pity and stopped teasing. “We know. And we’re happy for you.
But sometimes it’s hard to see how incredibly happy you are.”
    “Don’t worry, I get it. It wasn’t too long ago that I was in the same
boat. So, what are you going to do about Cain?”
    “Aside from avoiding him like the plague, I have no idea.” Thea grinned with
satisfaction. “I wasn’t very subtle about telling him to get lost.”
    Lexi hooted. “Atta girl.”
    Asia’s laughter joined in. “I’m sure you weren’t. But are you sure that’s
the right thing to do?”
    “What do you mean? Of course, it is.”
    “I’m not so sure.”
    “Why not?” Thea and Lexi asked in sync, they grinned at each other and
raised their glasses in a silent salute.
    “Because this