Read Online Flirting with Love by Melissa Foster - Free Book Online

sex, but she wanted to have that sex on her terms. When she was ready. When she wanted to give her heart and body to a man in that way. She realized only too late that her virginity had meant something to her, and she could never get that back. She quickly gave up the feigned interest in fashion and pretentious conversations and let her mother continue to believe she was more like her than her aunt. It wasn’t the most honest relationship in that regard, but it made for an easier one with her mother. She was surely born to the wrong Nash sister. And she’d closed herself off even further—until Robbie. She pushed thoughts of him aside and answered her mother.
    “I’m not coming home, Mom. We talked about this. I want to make a go of it.” She pulled the cupcakes out of the oven and set them aside to cool.
    “Oh, I know, sweetie, but you know I have to ask. I miss having you in the same city.”
    She pictured her mother sitting in a pedicure chair, her Botoxed forehead as clear and smooth as Elisabeth’s. Elisabeth breathed a little easier being away from that pressure. She glanced down at her cutoff shorts and the work boots she’d picked up last week at Target. Her mother would keel over if she knew Elisabeth had shopped at Target, but Elisabeth had enjoyed it. There weren’t any click, click, clicks of stilettos on marble, and women were holding their children’s hands instead of cell phones. Trusty was exactly what she remembered from her summer visits. Well, everything except Ross. He was the best surprise.
    “I know, Mom. Guess what I did this morning?” She smiled, knowing her mother was rolling her eyes to go with her sigh. “Oh, Mom. It’s not that bad. I fed my baby piglet, Kennedy, with a bottle. Isn’t that a hoot?”
    “A hoot? You sound like you’re from that dinky town. Oh, honey, I hope you know I only kept you here in LA for your own good and that you don’t forget all of the cultured things you learned about the world.”
    Her mother had told her that often, and Elisabeth still didn’t know what to make of it. Cultured? She’d learned how to schmooze, live life on a hamster wheel, and that men treated women like trains—ride one after another and never look back.
    She breathed deeply. Don’t get caught up in her world. Let it go. She exhaled a long, calming breath, then drew her shoulders back and set her eyes on the boots she had quickly come to love with a smile.
    “I know, Mom.”
    “Are there even any good-looking men in Trusty , Colorado? The name itself has me conjuring up overalls and beer bellies.” Before Elisabeth could answer, her mother said, “Oh, sweetie, I have to run. They’re ready to do my nails. Love you.” She blew two kisses into the phone and ended the call.
    A minute later her phone vibrated with another text from Ross. BTW, careful saying you owe a guy big-time. We guys love big times.
    There were good-looking men in Trusty, and one of them was thinking about her right now. She wasn’t missing a darn thing.

Chapter Five
    MID-MONDAY MORNING, donning a pretty summer dress and heels, with a TRUSTY PIES cooler and a stomach full of butterflies, Elisabeth went to deliver her first pie order. Aunt Cora had a list of standing orders, and Elisabeth was determined not to lose a single customer. They’d been gracious enough to give her a few weeks to unpack and get settled, and she hoped they wouldn’t be disappointed.
    Margie Holmes at Trusty Diner was first on her list. Elisabeth had already learned that the diner was the hub of Trusty. Everyone and their brother ate there. She’d gone in for coffee a few times, and she knew who Margie was—she also knew that Margie was quite inquisitive, as she’d asked her a million questions the first time she’d gone in.
    The diner smelled like eggs, bacon, and coffee. Every table and booth was taken, and two waitresses called out orders and hustled to deliver them. Elisabeth stood by the register and waited. The