Read Online A Man of Honor by Miranda Liasson - Free Book Online Page A

most of your day with me?”
    There was a time when that question would have lit up her world. “My interview will last until one or two. Finn’s covering the kindergarten all day, so I’m in no rush to get back. I thought we could maybe meet up for a late lunch and hit a few antique stores to get some ideas for Maddie and Nick’s wedding gift before we head back.”
    “Sounds fun.”
    She wasn’t sure if he was being sarcastic or not. She hated herself for thinking it, but part of her fantasized what it would be like to spend the entire day with him. They’d have lunch at a cute little outdoor café and stroll along the streets holding hands and…
    No. This was business. There would be none of that daydreaming that had sustained her during their months apart when they’d both so looked forward to being together. When the anticipation of finally being together, touching each other, making love to each other, had been all she wanted and all she thought about. And she’d known that he felt the same.
    Trouble was, a good part of her still wanted him. Somehow, she had to squelch that. Remain objective, be friendly, and whatever she did, do not cross the line.
    She needed coffee more than she’d thought. Cat pulled up to the Bean’s drive-thru menu sign.
    “Hey, Cat,” her friend Sarah’s voice came through the speaker, and she waved from the drive-thru window. One benefit of living in a small town—people knew who you were by your car. “Your usual? Tall dark roast?”
    “Thanks, Sarah.” Cat looked over at Preston. “And for you?”
    “I’ll have a raspberry white chocolate mocha,” he said, leaning over Cat a little to order. “No fun.”
    She tried to ignore his nearness as she drove up a little in the line, then stared at him. “That is the girliest drink I’ve ever heard a man order. And what’s ‘no fun’?”
    “First of all, a guy should be allowed to order whatever kind of drink he wants without getting judged. I thought you were a little more open-minded than that, Catherine. And ‘no fun’ is skinny. You know, no whip, skim milk, that kind of thing.”
    “The fact that you ordered all that then want it low-fat is a huge disappointment.”
    “I’m not as active as I’d like to be.” He patted his rock-hard stomach. “Have to watch my calories.”
    “Right, Mr. Washboard Abs. I mean, if you’re going to go for it, why not go all the way? It’s like someone ordering cake on their birthday and then asking for it to be diet.”
    “What about you? Don’t you ever order anything except plain coffee?”
    “I don’t ever want anything else. I know what I like.”
    “You know what you like,” he repeated, drumming his fingers against the dashboard. “Or is it more like you’re afraid to try anything else?”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?” Somehow, she had the feeling they weren’t talking about coffee anymore.
    “I’m talking about your fiancé.”
    “That’s awfully personal.” She glanced at the door, fighting a sudden impulse to bolt. Oh, hell, she could take him. She wasn’t trying to impress him, and she didn’t care what he thought of her.
    Mostly.
    “Well, maybe I need to know some personal details in order to find you the right match.”
    “I’d rather not.” Yeah, she would really rather not. That was a can of worms she did not want opened.
    “The guy was an actuary. His life revolved around predictions. Risk calculations. You couldn’t have chosen anyone safer.”
    “Robert had a great job.” In retrospect, that was about all he had going for him. “Why would you criticize it?”
    “I’m not talking about the guy’s job. I’m talking about his personality .”
    Preston insisted on paying. She passed him his coffee, took a sip of hers, and got back on the road. Yeah, she knew what he was getting at. Robert was as exacting and meticulous in his life as in work. He left no room for spontaneity or fun. Everything came down to ratios of right and