Read Online Next Time by Robin Alexander - Free Book Online

kindly. “Tell me the most basic facts you know about her.”
    “She’s a history teacher. She’s one of seven children with a shitload of nieces and nephews. Her real name is Ryanna. She…” Payton stalled out and scrubbed at her face.
    “Ryann seems like a really sweet woman, but what if she’s not? Maybe she berates and belittles Leigh. Maybe she’s cheated on her. She could be manipulative. She could be draining Leigh dry financially. Maybe the woman you met is a front for a really dark soul.”
    “I thought we were dealing in facts. I’m hearing a lot of maybes.”
    “I’m making a point. You don’t know her.”
    “I hate it when you’re logical. Quit hogging the guacamole.”
    Payton grabbed it when Jana didn’t readily give it up. “Leigh is jealous and paranoid, that’s the mark of someone who cheats. We didn’t see her having lunch with another woman who could’ve been a business associate. She made a damn profile on a dating site, that’s the same thing as a fishnet. She’s probably already had a large haul.”
    Jana shrugged. “Maybe they have an open relationship.”
    “I don’t think that’s Ryann’s style,” Payton said with a frown.
    “We’ll wait to draw our conclusions after Melanie talks to Leigh. But it really isn’t any of our business.”
    Payton felt it was. Jana did understand her better than anyone, but this was one of those rare times they wouldn’t meet in the middle. As Payton ate, she was forced to concede that Jana was right—she truly didn’t know Ryann. Jana didn’t understand instinct, either, and that was what Payton was relying on. Ryann was someone special, and Payton was torn between her heart’s desire to rush to her aid and her good sense that said wait.
    “When are you gonna go into the studio and record those songs?”
    “I’m scheduled for next Thursday. I’m kind of nervous. I can sing my ass off in my own house, especially when I know what I record is just a demo for the producers to get a feel for the song. This is the real deal.”
    “It could lead to something,” Jana said between bites. “You might end up singing more than writing.”
    Payton shook her head. “They hired me because I ‘captured the essence of Julie.’ There’s not much of a call for a woman who can make herself sound like a ten-year-old girl. There are plenty of kids who could do what I did. The budget is tight, and Julie isn’t a primary character. I’m sure they felt safe with cutting that corner.”
    “You’re way too hard on yourself.”
    Payton wasn’t in the mood to talk about pipe dreams and changed the subject. “Grace’s granddaughter brought over a casserole today. I’m gonna send that home with you.”
    “It might be better than the rock hard broccoli I’ve been eating lately. Any hits on your profile?”
    Payton had spent more time looking at Leigh’s. She wasn’t going to open up the opportunity for logical lectures by admitting that she had no intention of seeing anyone. “I got a one-line message that just said, ‘Hey, how are you?’ from GlassPony. I was too busy pondering the meaning of that name to respond.”
    “You need to add your picture. That’ll make you look less like a lurker, and you may get some legitimate hits. And you may wanna—” Jana pulled her phone from her pocket and chewed slowly as she read the text. “Melanie is headed to my place. She says ‘the whole thing was very upsetting.’ I have to go.”
    It was a prime opportunity to point out to Jana that she jumped whenever Melanie harkened. Instead, Payton asked, “Will you call me and tell me what happened tonight?”
    “I will, or I’ll go into the bathroom and text you because I’m sure Melanie will consider me telling you anything an invasion of Leigh’s privacy.”
    Payton held her glass to her temple. “See you later.” She listened to the door slam and said sarcastically, “By all means, we should protect Leigh’s privacy.”

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