Read Online Begin Again by Christy Newton - Free Book Online

amazing turnout.”
    â€œThat’s good. I was thinking about coming to see your new place tomorrow if you’re not going to be busy.”
    Ryan had hoped to see Maisie tomorrow, but he hadn’t spent time with his friend since he moved. Recently divorced, Jacob needed him. “That sounds great.”
    â€œOkay, I’ll drive out tomorrow then. Maybe we can get lunch when I get there.”
    â€œSee you then.” Ryan disconnected and started his SUV. He looked over at the rabbit, which was twitching his pink nose. “Ready to go home?”
    â€¢ • •
    Cady laughed and shook her head, “A few weeks ago, you didn’t even want a hamster, and now you’ve adopted a bunny, too?”
    Maisie shrugged. “I know. Improvement, right?”
    Cady hugged her sister. “Yes, I’m glad you’re forming connections again.”
    â€œLook, I need to tell you something.” Cady let go of Maisie and sat down on the sofa in Maisie’s basement apartment. “Ryan stopped by here the other day while you were at work.”
    Maisie’s stomach turned the way it had when her mom had told her the truth about Santa when she was ten. “You talked to him?”
    â€œHe was worried. He cares a lot about you, Mais.”
    â€œBut not enough to respect my privacy,” she said in almost a whisper. She fought the tears burning behind her eyes. “Did you tell him?”
    â€œI didn’t go into any details. I just told him about your loss.”
    Maisie nodded with her mouth open. “How could you? I wasn’t ready to talk to him about that. Now when he looks at me, I won’t know if it’s only pity I see in his eyes.”
    Her sister shook her head. “Oh Mais, he doesn’t pity you! He likes you. A lot! I can tell.”
    Maisie stood up and walked over to the tiny window. Who was she fooling? Ryan would only feel sympathy for her, not love. She pressed her hand to her stomach and closed her eyes. Now she’d never know how he truly felt. She didn’t want Ryan to see her hideous scars, ever.
    â€œI need to be alone,” she said in a harsh whisper.
    â€œOkay. I’m sorry. I thought … ” her sister’s words trailed off as she headed up the stairs.
    Maisie sat down on the floor and let the tears fall. It would have been so easy to fall into Ryan’s arms and pretend that nothing had ever happened, pretend that she was unscathed and whole. But she couldn’t do that to him. He deserved better. She dried her eyes and picked up her phone to call him.
    â€œHey, I’m almost there. I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised when you see Lucky.”
    Maisie forced herself to smile so the sadness would leave her voice. “Um, I’m not feeling well. Could you just give him to my sister?”
    Silence for a moment. “I guess so. Is everything okay?”
    She nodded as if he could see her through the phone. “Yes, I just think I’m getting a cold or something.”
    â€œOkay, well, feel better. If you want, I can just keep him until you feel better.”
    Darn. She was really looking forward to holding the baby bunny again. Boots wasn’t much of a cuddler. “Well you’ve already named him anyway,” she said, more coldly than she’d meant to. “I’m sorry. That’s nice of you. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

CHAPTER 5
    Ryan frowned as he hung up the phone. What had happened to Maisie since lunch? Maybe she
was
feeling sick, but he sensed something else was bothering her. He wasn’t used to having to work so hard for a woman’s attention. He drove the SUV and his disappointment back home. He had been looking forward to seeing her tonight. If she lived alone, he’d at least have the excuse to bring her some soup. But he knew her sister would take care of her if she really was sick. Unsure what to do, Ryan picked up his phone and called his