Read Online Caught by Brandy Walker - Free Book Online Page A

it tipped. He waited for the server to leave.
    “Well, I’m thinking they expect you to be romantic and share plates back here.”
    She knew she was pouting and getting grumpier by the minute. When they first walked into the wine bar the previous few hours had drifted away and the comfort she always felt with Evan settled in. Then he started looking at her in a different way, like he was studying her, checking her reactions to things he would say or do. He would also, what she suspected was supposed to be casual, brush his fingers over her hand or lean in while resting his hand on her back. He kept touching her the same way Quin had yesterday yet instead of the giddy, feminine feeling, it just felt wrong.
    “We could have waited for another table to clear up,” she grumbled.
    “I’m pretty certain I would have died of starvation by then. Look at me, I’m skin and bones.”
    Laurel couldn’t help the guffaw she made. “Evan you have never been skin and bones. You might be the fittest man I know.”
    The flash of a memory of Quin standing in front of her with his shirt off made her pause. Well, maybe not the fittest.
    “You say the sweetest things, peaches. We’ll be fine at this table. There’s plenty of room. Here.” He lifted his left arm and motioned for her to move closer. Reluctantly she inched next to him and jolted when he draped his arm across her shoulders.
    “What’s got you all worked up tonight? You’re usually the most patient, accommodating woman I know.”
    “I am not worked up. Just a little grumpy. I had a long day on very little sleep.”
    “Come on Laurel, this is me you’re talking to. How long have we been friends?”
    Picking up her glass of wine, she drained the last bits while figuring it out. “Damn, have we really known each other for eight years?”
    Evan laughed and she found it soothing. “Yep. Eight long years.”
    “Whatever.” She punched him in the stomach lightly and relaxed a bit into him. “You know you’re thankful to have me as a friend.”
    Evan scooped up a bite of pasta and held it out for her. Without thought she opened her mouth and let him feed her.
    He snorted as he took a bite of pasta for himself.
    “I’ve always been glad we’re friends, so why don’t you tell me what’s up?
    Laurel held out her glass and waited for him to refill it. She didn’t have to debate long about telling Evan about Quin. It would actually be nice to talk to someone not invested in the outcome.
    “There’s this guy.”
    “Damn, I never would have guessed that.” Evan sounded surprised to hear it. She was kind of offended by his reaction.
    “I date,” she said a bit too defensively, even to her own ears.
    Evan looked at her skeptically. “Yeah, not so much hun.”
    She couldn’t stop the roll of her eyes. “Anyway, there’s this guy and I used to know him back in high school. Well, I didn’t really know him. He was popular, I wasn’t. I had a HUGE crush on him and nothing ever came of it. After graduation I went my way, he went his way.” She stopped and took a gulp of wine, deciding to skip over the embarrassing events that shaped her life.
    “I have a feeling there’s more to it but go on.”
    “I have that skydiving look-book assignment.”
    “Yeah. We emailed back and forth about it. I think you should be doing other things, but you enjoy niche projects.”
    She patted him on the knee, belatedly feeling his leg stiffen when she moved her hand away. “Yes, I know. Back to my story. I went out to the Chute Shack with Jason and his friends and found out that this guy, the one from high school, owns the place with his brothers. I don’t think he knew who I was at first. He seemed attracted to me and I’m attracted to him, even after all of these years. So he invites me to his brothers’ place, but I don’t see it as a real date. We had a good time laughing and talking, then he freaked out when one of his brothers carried me off into the other room as a