Read Online Addy And The Smart Guy (Big Girl Panties #3) by Carter Ashby - Free Book Online

 
    They sat across from each other with candles and wine and everything perfectly arranged. "I'm not sure what sorts of things you like doing," Grey said as he bit into some tortellini.
    Addy licked her lips. She'd asked for the chicken Marsala. She loved chicken Marsala. But that tortellini was screaming her name. She took a bite of her own dinner. "Anything. Whatever you usually do."
    "When I'm here? I usually read and write. Not exactly couple's activities."
    "I like to read. We could read together by the fireplace or something."
    His eyes twinkled. "Sounds nice. But what else? There's a wine tasting event tomorrow. There are cooking classes. We could take in a play at the community theater. I'm afraid we're not exactly staying in the cultural center of the world."
    "No," she said. "It's rustic. I love it. I'm sure we'll find plenty to keep busy."
    He grinned and winked. "I'm sure."
    She blushed furiously and took another bite of the dinner. His was halfway gone and looked so good.
    He cocked his head and caught her gaze. "Did you want some of this?"
    "What?"
    "My tortellini. Did you want some? You're kind of gazing at it like it's a professor and you're a student who can't have him."
    She laughed. "Don't flatter yourself. I never wanted you like I want that tortellini."
    "Take it then. We'll switch."
    She grinned as they pushed their plates at each other. She bit into the tortellini, generously soaked in Alfredo sauce, and moaned, her eyes rolling shut. "Mmm, so good."
    "Do you see this relationship going anywhere?"
    "I don't think so. This tortellini is kind of a commitment-phobe. I'm just going to eat it while it lasts and then thrive on the memory."
    His chin was propped on his fist as he watched her. She opened her eyes. "Did you want this back?" she asked, because he hadn't eaten any of the chicken yet.  
    "No, I'm good."  
    She ate unapologetically. The extra physical activity, lately, had heightened her appetite. She might've been embarrassed by it, but she was too hungry to care.
    She caught him staring. Watching. "What?" she asked with a laugh.
    "You're incredibly beautiful, is all."
    "So are you, Greyson." She stuffed another bite in her mouth.
    Grey chuckled and leaned back in his chair, shoving a hand through his long hair.  
    Addy finally took a moment to look at him. She gulped her food down and chased it with some wine. Then she stood, walked around the table, and perched on his lap. He rested his head on her chest, and she stroked his hair with her fingertips. "What's wrong?"
    He wrapped his arms around her waist. "This isn't going how I thought it would."
    Her heart sank. Had she disappointed him? "I'm sorry to hear that."
    "Addison, how are we ever going to say goodbye?"
    She pushed him back so she could look into his eyes. "You're violating your own rule. We're supposed to be living in the moment. Not thinking about the weekend."
    He smiled sadly. "A week won't be long enough, that's all I know."
    Her heart swelled with love. "An eternity wouldn't be long enough."
    He shrugged. "Well, that's not necessarily true. Generally, two years is the max for this sort of hormonal connection. Maybe even three. But it does eventually end."
    Her heart deflated. She slumped, her hands relaxing their grip on his shoulders.
    "If only we could go on a two-year vacation," Grey said.
    She didn't bother to mask her disgust. "The reason people marry is because by the time the initial reaction wears off, their lives are tied up together, and they're in love."
    "I'll agree about their lives being tied together. The love is only an interpretation of the hormonal reaction. They just cling to the memory of it, spending the rest of their time together desperately trying to relive those first moments together."
    "Wow," Addy said in a dry voice. "You're such a romantic, Grey."
    He suddenly met her eyes. "I'm sorry. You're right, this isn't romantic. Let's forget about it, okay?"
    The mood was killed as far as Addy was concerned.