Loving Her Read Free Page A

doing laps in
the pool, I was exhausted.  I’d had a few too many glasses of wine the night
before for that much exercise.  It was going on two o’clock by the time I
finished my workout and made my way home after a side trip to look for a new
outfit and quick stop to pick up a few groceries. 
    I put everything away and laid on
the couch with a pint of Ben & Jerry’s Cake Batter ice cream.  Yeah, not
the best choice after my workout, but I was wallowing in having to go on a
blind date.  It was my reward to myself for all the acting I’d be doing that
evening. 
    At some point during my fat-fest
and my Mark Walberg movie, I dozed off.  Thankfully, I heard my phone ringing
or I might have slept through my ‘hot’ date.  I snorted at the thought.
    My phone registered a few missed
calls from Emily, stalking me of course, and a number I didn’t know.  I
shrugged and typed out a text to Emily.
    Jen:
    I’m not coming!  Leave me
alone, stalker.
    I laughed out loud because I just
loved getting her all pissy and crazy.
    Emily:
    Stop it, you psycho!  You know you’re coming.
    I was calling to see what you
were wearing.
    Jen:
    I’m not telling.  You’ll have
to be surprised.
    Emily:
    You big cry baby.  See you in
two hours.
    Two hours?  Crap.  I hadn’t
realized I’d slept so long.  I had to get a move on it to be ready in time to
gear myself up for this thing. 
    I dressed in jeans and a new
sleeveless, red satin shirt that hugged my curves and showed off a little
cleavage and black heels.  It wasn’t that I was trying to impress Jack exactly,
but I did want to look nice. 
    I had time to sip a glass of wine
before my doorbell rang.  Taking a deep breath, I briefly closed my eyes then
pulled the door open with a big, fake smile on my face. 
    “Hey, girl!”  Emily was really
chipper.  “You look gorgeous, as usual.”  She leaned into kiss my cheek and gave
me a big hug.
    “Stop trying to butter me up,
slick!  I know your game,” I whispered in her ear before she could pull away.
    “Whatever.  You always look
good.”  Em winked and turned to the side so that I could see Cale and Jack
standing in the door.   Hmm, well he sure was a nice piece of eye candy….damn. 
    Emily nudged my arm and I
suddenly wondered if I had said those words out loud.  I looked at Em and she
was just smiling at me. 
    “Jen, this is Jack….Jack, this is
Jen.  Okay, let’s go.”  She was a huge pain in my ass.
    I shook his hand and to my shock,
I wasn’t totally freaked out.  Maybe this date wouldn’t be so bad.  “Hi, Jen. 
I’ve heard a lot about you.  Well, I’ve probably heard everything about you.” 
Jack smiled and nodded his head toward Emily and Cale who were hugged up at the
door and staring like fools.
    “Oh, I’m sure you have.  It’s
nice to meet you, too.  Shall we go, guys,” I said as I peeked around Jack to
my incredibly annoying friends.
    “Yep, let’s go,” chirped Emily.
    “After you…” Jack said as he made
a sweeping motion with his hand.  I just smiled and walked straight through my
front door toward the street.   I swore I heard Em doing that small little
chipper clap behind my back as I walked several feet in front of everyone
else.  Please….
    We drove to The Poseidon and sat
outside under the beautiful night air, right at the edge of the ocean.  I loved
this restaurant and I was certain Emily knew that, which made it clear who
chose our dining accommodations.  Good thing I loved her like a sister or I
would’ve had to cut her.
    I grinned at her as we sat down
at our table and she tried some innocent little look on me.  I just smiled
really big and shrugged letting her know I was fine with the choice.  As I
started to sit in my chair, I realized Jack was right behind me pulling out my
chair.  Really, men still do that?   Hmm, nice…I guess.
    “Thank you.  You didn’t have to
get my chair for me.”  I didn’t really know how to respond.
    He