The Phantom Read Free Page A

want Italian.”
    “You should try that place on Summers Street. I had the penne from there the other night and it was really good.”
    “Date?”
    “No,” she said, “just me treating myself.”
    “You really should let me try to set you up with someone. Geoff has this friend”
    Her little laugh cut me off before I could even say a name. “No thanks, I have absolutely no problem waiting for my dream guy.”
    We stepped from behind the light blue curtains at the same time. “Wow!” I said as soon as I saw her and how the fabric seemed to mold her hourglass figure. “I told you. You look incredible!”
    She pushed her glasses up. “I don’t know, I still think it’s too low.”
    I rolled my eyes. “You’re crazy. And you’re getting that dress if I have to buy it for you myself!”
    Beth still played with the top, tugging at the places that only hinted at cleavage in the mirror. “Hmm... Maybe, I do want something new for that art exhibit. Are you sure it doesn’t make me look slutty?”
    “Maybe if we lived in one of those really old silent movies. If anything you look innocent. Now, what about me?”
    She turned and her eyes went wide behind her slipping lenses. “Honey, you’re beautiful!”
    I smiled and looked in the mirror. She was right. The square top revealed only an inch of cleavage and the skirt fell to my knees so I could still show off my calves. Geoff was going to lose it when he saw me in this!

Chapter Four
    A couple in love couldn’t have dreamed of a more intimate dining experience than Georgio’s. Sconces along the wall kept the dining room in a low light and candles on every table illuminated the faces of lovers. It was so romantic. All around us, couples held hands across the table and smiled at each other. They even kissed between every single bite because the lips of their mate tasted even more delicious than the food.
    “Don’t even look at the prices,” I said. “We’re celebrating after all.”
    “Huh?” Geoff looked up from his PS Vita.
    “I told you. Marion accepted my article.”
    My boyfriend rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah, your little Phantom thing.” Then, he was right back to ignoring me.
    “It’s not little, it’s huge! This could be the first thing ever written about him! Aren’t you proud of me?”
    “Yeah, yeah, sure. Turn, turn, turn!” Geoff was so into his game that he was frantically steering his virtual race car in the air until his knee kicked the table. All around us, heads turned at the clatter. Luckily, I was able to hide my embarrassment behind the menu.
    A pretty redheaded waitress approached our little table for two in the corner. “May I take your order?”
    “Um, yes, I’ll have the fettuccini with a glass of white wine. What do you want dear?”
    Geoff didn’t even look up, just shrugged. “I don’t care. Just get me a burger.”
    “This isn’t the kind of place that does burgers,” I whispered across to him.
    “Just whatever then. No, no, no! Get back on the damn road!” He yelled at his game.
    I sighed. “Bring him the same.”
    The waitress gave me a smile of pity when she took our menus. Something told me she knew what it was like to be ignored by a boyfriend on what was supposed to be a special night out.
    “Oh, did I tell you? Beth got the two of us tickets to that charity art exhibit for our girl’s night out next week. Maybe you could have some of your buddies over that night.”
    “No, no, no! Don’t fucking crash!”
    I knocked on the table in front of my boyfriend. “Geoff Raedell,” I whined. “Pay attention to me!”
    “Yeah, whatever babe. Just let me finish this race.”
    I groaned. I knew I shouldn’t have bought that game for him, but he just wanted it so badly. He opened it and hadn’t look at me since, didn’t even notice my brand new sapphire dress, but I always have this crazy urge to make people as happy as I am. Lucky for him, I was in the best mood of my life that day.
    Thirty minutes later, it