Read Online A Ghost of a Chance by Evelyn Klebert - Free Book Online Page A

heavy perfume. In fact, she must have taken a bath in it. “So, this was all Hallie’s idea?”
    She pursed her lips in an annoying way. “Now, that would be telling.”
    “ Look Monica. . . , “ he took another swift drink of scotch, and decided that he might as well play along until he figured out a game plan. “Forget it. How about we get onto the main event. Where is Hallie?”
    “ Oh, you are impatient. Are you impatient in everything, Jack?” He didn’t like the way she lingered on his name. He didn’t know who was in charge here, but his taste in women, even in his former life, didn’t quite go this extreme. He half expected her to quote a price for services to be rendered any time now. “Well all right, if you’re sure you don’t want to just spend some time with me.”
    He smiled, “Quite sure, Mon.”
    She took another puff of her absurdly long cigarette and then extinguished it in the ashtray on the bar. “You better get rid of yours too. Hallie doesn’t like people who smoke.” She grinned, “OOPS, one strike against you,” she giggled annoyingly.
    He extinguished his cigarette with deliberateness and a tinge of well-disguised regret. “No problem.”
    “ Ooh, aren’t you forceful? Do you like it rough, Jack?”
    “ I don’t know what you’re trying for here Monica. But I’ve got to tell you you’re getting downright irritating.”
    “ Sorry, I just thought I’d make things easy for you, Jack.”
    “ Hallie?”
    “ Right, oh do you like your suit? I picked it out myself. I like my men dressed well.”
    For the first time, he looked down and noted the dark blue suit he was wearing. It was expensive, as was the cologne that he smelled on his skin. Well, at least when he found Hallie he would have a shot at winning her over. “You look smashing Jack. You’re a handsome man. Why waste that on Hallie?” And then her red fingernails were fingering the collar of his starched, white, linen shirt. “You’re so far out of her league. You need a woman who knows what she’s doing. Who’s been around.”
    “ The question is around where.”
    “ Now Jack that’s not a nice thing to say, is it?” she pouted her lips again. “Be sweet to me or I won’t take you to where Hallie is.”
    He cleared his throat, the powerful stench of her perfume nearly gagging him. “Um Monica, how about we get out of this bar and you take me to her. All right?”
    “ Don’t you mean them?”
    “ Them?”
    “ Hallie and her date. You don’t think she’s alone do you?”
    “ Ah. No, I suppose I don’t.” Actually, he hadn’t considered that possibility, although it did make sense. Whatever he was dealing with wouldn’t have made it that easy for him to get to her. “Well, let’s go and see them both. All right?”
    “ Sure Jack, whatever you want. But I hope you’re not disappointed.”
    Monica grabbed her little black sequined purse and threw a “Put it on his tab” to the burly, Mexican bartender, who made a sound that seemed akin to an affirmative grunt. She slipped her arm through his and whispered again huskily, “Come on Jack. They’re waiting for us in the restaurant.”
    “ Oh, is there a restaurant here?”
    She snuggled, slinking a little too close to him. But then restraint didn’t seem to be a concern with her this evening. Deep down he had to admit that she was appealing in a very sort of basic, primitive way. But he wouldn’t be enticed by obvious temptations. He was here for Hallie; that thought actually startled him a bit. He hadn’t really acknowledged the gradual, growing attachment that he was feeling for her. But it was true all the same. He was pledged in a way, whatever that meant in this scenario.
    “ Haven’t you figured out where we are yet Jack?”
    He looked around really for the first time scrutinizing the decor. It was flamboyant, colorful. “It’s through the door Jack.” Across the room there was a huge opening. It seemed as though it must be the