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

closed his eyes.
    “Well? Do you like it?” she asked in a desperate tone.
    He smiled and took another bite.
    Oh…  for crying out loud. “Do you like it or not?” she finally shouted.
    “Um… well it’s definitely interesting…” he started, smiling and taking another bite.
    She rolled her eyes. This had to be a personal record for eye rolling. She had rolled them more this week than she had in the last previous twenty years. He was driving her insane – literally.
    “Yes… I like it,” he finally offered with a smile. “It’s great,” he added taking another bite.
    His words delighted her. They did. And she wondered why his opinion mattered so much.
    “So… to answer your question,” he said between bites. “Paige is coming next weekend.”
    “We’ll get to meet her?” she asked, excited.
    “I can bring her over if that’s all right,” he suggested, downing a gulp of iced tea.
    “We would love that,” she cheered. “Wouldn’t we, Jesse?”
    Jesse shrugged. “I guess.”
    “I’m hoping to see a bit more of her this summer,” John said.
    “Oh that’s good,” Sophie smiled. “Are you trying to get her every weekend?”
    “Well, Jennie’s seeing someone,” he started. “And when she’s seeing someone, I get to see a lot more of Paige”
    “That’s good, isn’t it?” Sophie asked.
    “Paige cramps her style, I guess,” he elaborated. “But yes, it’s good for me. I get to see a lot more of her. I love having her.”
    “Well… let’s hope Jennie gets married soon,” Sophie joked. And they both laughed.
    Sophie hadn’t realized John’s family life had been so tumultuous. His life had also been chaotic when he was younger; his mother moving from man to man without a thought for the well-being of her children. He seemed like he had married a woman who was exactly like his own mother. She wouldn’t dare suggest this, but she thought it. His life had been so difficult and she wished it hadn’t been – he was such a good person – slightly obnoxious and an occasional pain in the rear, but good nevertheless.
    Her marriage in contrast, had been such a positive experience, and then… Marcus was cruelly snatched away in an instant.
    Yes, life definitely was not fair.
     
    ***
     
    The renovations were going well. They had completed the roof and the interior painting – hues of sky blue, moss green and indigo. But they had yet to install the white bead board paneling throughout the house – meant to give the whole cottage a very seaside feel – the new owners would get the full Maine experience.
    John had been busy working on the renovations with his two main guys – Jimmy and Craig. They seemed like good guys, but they always smiled and chuckled around Sophie. And she knew it probably had something to do with John.
    Occasionally, Jesse would join the group and John would teach him a few tricks of the trade. Jesse seemed to really enjoy it – it seemed he had the mind for building things.
    Sophie had tried to stay out of their way as much possible, going to town, hanging out with Jesse and her mother, and working on her book. This was for the best, she told herself – it was best if she stayed away from John, for everyone’s sake.
    But there were still times when she just couldn’t avoid him.
     
    John came over early to meet with Sophie regarding kitchen renovations and flooring options. He was clearly a morning person – setting up meetings early so he could get an early start on the work day. Sophie got the impression that his work days were long. She didn’t dare argue about the time of the meetings, lest appearing like a lady of leisure, which she kind of was at the moment. 
    “How much do you work every day?” she asked, setting down his cup of coffee. “You seem to work a lot.”
    “I do. I typically start at six in the morning, and usually work till six at night, sometimes until seven.”
    “Wow, I feel lazy next to you.”
    He smiled. “You enjoy your