Read Online Back to You by Roya Carmen - Free Book Online Page A

John sat at the old Formica kitchen table, working on the fighter jet model kit they had bought at the antique shop. Jesse fiddled with the stickers.
    “Let’s do those last,” John told him. “Let’s follow the instructions.”
    “Who knew you colored inside the lines,” Sophie teased, bringing over glasses of iced tea.
    He smiled. “I don’t often.” He worked meticulously, his large hands surprisingly delicate with the fragile pieces. He seemed good with his hands, she thought to herself, sipping her glass of iced tea. There was her mind again… in the gutter. She shot up and shook her head a little.
    “You’re pretty good at this,” Jesse said, perusing the directions and handing him the pieces.
    “I’ve done a lot of these,” John told him.  “…with my daughter.”
    “Paige… right?” Sophie asked, curious.
    He nodded, still focused on his work.
    “When do we get to meet her? She’s about Jesse’s age right?” she asked, eager.
    “She’s a year older,” he clarified, “…and a real tomboy.”
    He still hadn’t answered her question. “So when will we meet her?” She wanted to know.
    He shifted in his seat a little. He seemed suddenly a little uncomfortable. “I don’t get to see her much,” he said plainly.
    Sophie regretted prying. “I’m sorry. I… I didn’t…”
    “It’s fine,” he told her. “It’s just that she’s with her mother most of the time. I get her every other weekend.”
    “Oh…” Sophie said, looking down at her glass of iced tea. She couldn’t imagine seeing Jesse only every other weekend.
    After a long moment of silence, she finally spoke. “Um… what happened? Why did you split up?” She couldn’t believe she was being so nosy. It was like an alien force had taken over her body and… just wanted to know.
    “Uh…” John said, finally looking up, studying her curious gaze. “Jennie,” he started, looking over at Jesse, who wasn’t paying attention, “she was,” he went on, “…very social,” he said in a whisper.
    “Oh… I see,” Sophie said, not really understanding.
    “She was not a big fan of monogamy,” he clarified.
    “Oh… and you are, I assume,” she ventured awkwardly.
    He smiled. “Yes, of course,” he said bluntly.
    “Me too,” she told him. “A big fan of it,” she quickly added. God… was she making an idiot of herself.
    He smiled an even bigger smile. “Great, we’re all fans of it,” he said laughing. “What about you Jesse?” he asked.
    “I have no idea what you guys are talking about,” Jesse said plainly.
    “Anyone for sandwiches?” Sophie asked, desperately trying to change the subject.
     
    Sophie worked feverishly on one of her favorite kid gourmet sandwich recipes. She had been delighting her mother and Jesse with her delicious treats. She also prepared a salad to accompany the sandwiches.
    “Here you go,” she almost sang as she sat the plates down on the table, next to all the model pieces.
    “I’m sorry, we should have cleared the table,” John apologized, doing his best to gather the pieces.
    “It’s fine,” she told him. “We just need to move them over a little,” she said as she helped him tidy the table. Her hand brushed against his – a little bolt of electricity shot through her. They smiled thinly at each other.
    The chemistry between them was utterly ridiculous.
    “These look interesting,” he said with a hint of apprehension, looking down at the sandwiches.
    “It’s thinly sliced black ham on focaccia bread, with apricot mostarda,” she explained.
    “Uh… what?” he laughed. “I’m kinda used to plain old salami sandwiches.”
    “You’ll like it,” she pressed.
    “Uh… I don’t know.”
    “Geez, you’re such a meat and potatoes guy,” she teased. “Just try it.”
    He took a hesitant bite. Chewed and tasted. She sat impatiently waiting for his verdict. He smiled and didn’t say a thing.
    “Well?” she asked, anxious.
    He took another bite and