Primary Colors Read Free Page A

with all those dancing girls around.”
    Another laugh. He liked causing it. He wanted to hear more, to experience more the feelings it aroused in him.
    “I’m glad to hear that. I want Sal to be well-rounded. And happier.”
    “He isn’t happy?”
    “I’m not sure. He wasn’t when he thought he wouldn’t see you again. And normally, he’s terribly shy.”
    “Like his mom.”

    “Hmm. Yeah, I guess I’m shy. Me and Sofia.”
    “One of the sisters?”
    “Uh-huh.”
    “Have you always been shy?”
    “Yes. As we grew up, Paulina was so outgoing, I didn’t have to be. And then I met my husband and he…protected me, I guess.” She rolled her eyes. “I was fifteen.”
    “You’re kidding?”
    “Nope. Paulina and I met the Pettrone boys when we went to high school, and the restis history.”
    “You married brothers?”
    “Twins.”
    “What a cool story.”
    “It is. Too bad it didn’t have an HEA.”
    “HEA?”
    “Happily-Ever-After ending.” At his questioning expression, she added, “You know, like in romance novels.”
    “You read romance novels?”
    “Yes, why?”
    “Well, then, darlin’, you can’t be all that shy.”
    oOo
    A green goblin with blood-redeyes jumped out from behind a haystack. Three boys recoiled and screamed. Adam Armstrong also shied away. Nia smiled at Paulina. “Babies.”
    Sal moved behind Nia and didn’t say anything. Ben puffed out his little chest. “I wasn’t scared.”
    Adam grinned. “Nope, me neither.” He winked at Ben. “We guys got to be macho, right, kid?”
    In a development no one had expected, Ben, Paulina’s mischievousson, had taken to Adam. It had only enhanced the relationship between him and Paulina.
    Paulina poked her man in the ribs. “Don’t encourage him, Adam.”
    Tommy said, “I was scared. Were you Sal?”
    “Uh-huh.”
    Bending down, Adam whispered in her son’s ear. Sal’s expression turned devilish. Lord, the guy had a way with kids. At one time, Nia had objected to letting Adam in their lives.No more, though, as he’d made them all happier. And Paulina watched him as if he’d hung every single star in the sky. Sometimes, Nia felt…not jealous but wistful when she watched them together.
    Adam held Sal’s hand as they reached the little bridge sightseers had to cross to get to the hayride. “Watch out for trolls,” Adam said, just as one banged against the floorboards and stuck a greenclaw between them. Ben jumped, Tommy giggled nervously and Sal laughed. Once they reached their destination, Adam added, “Here we are.”
    For the Halloween Horror Show put on by the community, the big rectangular wagon was already filled halfway with kids and adults.
    Tommy pointed to the wagon. “There’s the hayride.”
    Ben said, “You and Aunt Nia can’t go on.”
    “They’re ’lergic,” Saltold Adam.
    “I know. It’s just us guys, I guess.” Taking Sal’s and Tommy’s hands, Adam followed Ben, who’d run ahead to the traditional Halloween ride. The four of them climbed on. When they pulled away, Nia turned to Paulina. She was shocked to see tears in her tough sister’s eyes. “What’s wrong, Paulie?”
    “I can’t believe how good Adam is with the kids.”
    “Who would have guessed?”

    “He’s a constant surprise.” She turned to Nia. “I’m glad you’ve accepted him.”
    “How could I not?” She slid an arm around Paulina. “He’s great. It’s getting more serious, isn’t it?”
    Paulina had wanted to take the relationship slower than Adam had, but he’d agreed.
    “Yeah. I can’t resist his charm, either.” She took a bead on her sister. “I wish you had someone, Nia.”
    “I do, too.Maybe it’s not in the cards.”
    “I’m sorry the date with the art teacher didn’t go so well.”
    “I did try, Paulie. I called him up. Went out. But I felt so uncomfortable with him.”
    “Do you know why?”
    “Because he wasn’t Peter.”
    “You know what? I think you have to be friends with someone