TheHealers Read Free Page A

voice.
    “Hi, Cameron.”
    “So…you’re still with Leo?”
    “Yes.” I couldn’t help the smile on my face now. Of course, I was a little embarrassed because I was pretty sure he could hear Cameron, too.
    “I knew it! We all knew it! I’m so happy for you two. Do you know how long I think he’s been trying to seduce you?” I could just see how her cute little auburn curls must have bounced up and down with all the energy her voice was giving off. And when I thought about her question I realized I did know.
    A hand gently slid up and down my leg. I looked into the eyes of the guilty party and just thought it was too cute to stop him.
    Cameron’s voice brought me back to the phone call.
    “Well, now that you two finally got that out of the way I need you to come join us for brunch at our favorite French restaurant.” A purposeful sound in her voice brought me back to the phone. What was the secret?
    “Okay, but give me an hour.” I would have to get clean clothes from home first so I wouldn’t have the I spent the night somewhere else look in my outfit. Not that I worried about what my friends thought. That would probably be the majority of our discussion. I just didn’t want the other patrons of the restaurant to know.
    I hung up the phone and looked back at Leo.
    “I’ve gotta go.” My mind quickly recalled some of the words we’d said to each other last night. One three word sentence in particular stood out in my thoughts. I love you. Oh my gosh . Shock still trembled through my body as I remembered all the years of our friendship that had changed last night. Had we made the right choice? I’m just going to go with this and see what he says. I won’t bring it up.
    “I’m only letting you go if you’ll promise to have dinner with me tonight.” How could I deny anything to those baby blue eyes? His hands cupped around my cheeks and slipped his tongue right into my already parted lips.
    “I think I can put up with being fed,” I bantered back.
     
     
     
     

Chapter Three
     
     
    An hour and a half hour later I drove to the restaurant. Of course, the girl who’d shacked up last night had to be late. I couldn’t wait to hear their comments.
    As I pulled into the parking lot, I was reminded why this was always our favorite spot to meet. The warm colored bricks and cozy colors gave it a quant but old world feel. And we loved the creamy, rich French food.
    I pulled the door open and stepped through. A decision to throw on my favorite pair of jeans that had a hole in them stopped me for a second. I knew that holes in jeans were kind of cool so I let it be. I had just earned the hole instead of paying for it.
    A short glance through the tables and I found my group.
    Jane’s words came first. “Well, what’s up, Layna? I guess Leo is. Or he was last night. I really hope he’s not still up. But, maybe.” Jane’s eyes glanced around as she, Tabitha, and Cameron erupted into giggles.
    “Real mature, Jane.” Then I decided to revel in it for a moment. “Of course he’s still up. I always leave them wanting more.” Proud of my come-back, I pulled out a chair and sat down. Now, we all laughed loudly and I noticed a few stares from older more refined ladies at other tables. I also noticed someone else. Some guy sitting all alone. It was hard not to notice that in here. It wasn’t often you saw men without women at a French cafe. At least not in Texas.
    His presence buzzed through me. I continued to stare, unable to focus on anything else.
    “You might go ask him if he wants to meet you out back.” Tabitha’s voice claimed my attention. “Tell me you’re not scoping out your next conquest already. Wasn’t Leo enough?” The sharpness of her words caught me off guard, but no one else heard her. The conversation had already gone past me and my wild night.
    A fast glance up unveiled a moment of hesitation and then she immediately shielded her face back to the girl I knew.
    “Go get your food.