Better Than Before (RightMatch.com Trilogy) Read Free Page B

said I could call.”
    “I’m surprised you did, though.”
    “I read your email,” he continued. His voice was deep timbered and slightly husky. “Had a rough night?”
    “Yeah.”
    Nervous, she fiddled with her hair. Though she’d resisted the fortieth birthday present Julia and Lauren, her other best friend, had given her—a subscription to the hot, new online-dating site RightMatch.com—she was enjoying this particular match.
    Spencer Tracy Brewer, given his first two names by a father who collected old films, was the only man she was in contact with now, and in a moment of weakness, she’d given him her phone number. Maybe it was because they emailed every day. Maybe it was because they discussed their beliefs, their goals, their deepest wishes, many of which they had in common. She had kids and he wanted some. He preferred a quiet out-of-the-limelight life, as did she. They both liked movies, casual dinners and walking in the city. But they hadn’t shared baggage, hadn’t shared ugly pasts.
    And Annie had an ugly past.
    “Annie, are you still there?”
    “Sorry, I’m zoning out. Jake’s better today. Right now we’re in the yard and he’s sleeping under the tree.”
    “You’re outside?”
    “Uh-huh, I was playing with Alex and Hope.”
    “The kids are home? What about school?”
    She explained the morning off.
    “After I read you’d been up all night, I was hoping you’d get some rest.”
    “I will as soon as I drive them to school.”
    “Not before?”
    “No, of course not. It’s, um, nice to hear your voice.”
    There was a long pause. Jeez, should she not have said that? Email was much safer because you could think about what you wrote.
    “I thought maybe it was time to take the next step, Annie.”
    “I guess.” Annie still hadn’t decided how many steps she wanted to take with this man. Her insecurities had been heightened by her bad breakup with Keith, and even though two years had passed, she was still sorting things out. But Lauren and Julia said she should push herself, so she would.
    “Actually, what I meant to say is I’m glad you called.”
    “That’s what I want to hear. Your voice is different from what I thought it might be from your picture.”
    “Really, how?”
    “Not sure. I’ll have to hear it again—a few times probably—to decide.” His tone was teasing, flirty. Cute.
    “Are you asking if you can call again?”
    “Can I?”
    “Yes. I’d like that.”
    “Great. Now I have to go. I’m meeting my mother for our weekly lunch.”
    “How sweet.” They had that in common, too—devotion to their moms.
    “Take a long nap. And rest tonight.”
    “I wish I could. I’m starting a job at a restaurant in town and have to be there by five.”
    “Why on earth would you do that?” She was surprised by his autocratic tone. “You already work at a spa, don’t you?”
     “Yes, but after I finish school, I’ll need another job until the fall. If I wanted this one, and I do, I had to take it when a position opened up.”
    “You work too hard.” His voice lowered a notch. “I worry about you.”
    Now, that felt good. It had been a long time since a man had truly worried about her well-being. Keith had, at first, until their relationship had gone sour.
    “Thanks, but I’ll be fine.”
    Hope wandered outside and waved to Annie.
    “I have to make lunch for the kids.”
    “All right. Email me later.”
    “I will.” She clicked off, buoyed by the call. Spence was like her in so many ways, wanting what she did, sharing her values. Maybe, just maybe, he was a guy she could date.
    o0o
    Spence might have had a rotten track record with women, but there was one in his life he loved unconditionally. His mother, Ellison Brewer Wickham Moretti Matheson.
    As he’d told Annie, he tried to have lunch with her weekly when he was in town. Today, he’d brought takeout to her house. They’d spent a leisurely hour talking over her favorite pecan-crusted chicken salad and