Read Online Greek for Beginners by Jackie Braun - Free Book Online Page A

Automobile Enthusiasts Monthly . The pay was mediocre, the benefits were crap. She’d only taken the position after she and Tad became serious. At the time, with some help from him, she’d convinced herself that a career in New York was a pipe dream. Settling down in Buffalo with reliable if tedious employment and a future with Tad — those were what had mattered, what she had wanted most.
    â€œYou are at a crossroads,” Nick said. Up ahead, the light turned red and he slowed the Shelby to a stop.
    Darcie gestured with her hand. “It’s really more like this busy intersection, but with no working traffic light.”
    â€œAh, then you need to take care in getting to the other side.”
    Treading carefully, that was how she’d spent the past several years. Feeling reckless now, she said, “Or I could just run like hell and hope for the best. After all, we’ve established that I am adventurous.”
    â€œI like your style.” Nick’s hand left the gearshift to caress her cheek. He was leaning toward her, eyes hooded with unmistakable intent, when a horn blasted behind them.
    â€œThe light is green,” she said, suppressing a laugh.
    â€œYes. A green light. I believe I got that very impression.”
    The car shot forward. Darcie’s pulse lurched as if trying to catch up. The scarf was in no danger of blowing off, but she pulled it snugger around her head, just to have something to do with her hands.
    â€œLet’s talk about you.”
    â€œAll right. You know what I do for a living. You also know I have a brother who is to be married.”
    â€œA younger brother. Pieter.”
    â€œVery good. You pay close attention to details.”
    â€œIt’s what I do.” She shrugged. “I check facts for a living, remember?”
    â€œOr you did.”
    The seed, so recently planted, seemed to be taking root. But she forced herself to focus on the present. “Tell me about Pieter. How old is he? What’s he like? Are you close?”
    A muscle ticked in Nick’s jaw, although when he spoke, his tone bordered on blasé. “He is a year my junior. As boys, we did everything together. Now...he works with our father at his shop. They are electricians by trade.”
    â€œThe family business?”
    Nick nodded. “My father had hoped I would follow in his footsteps as well.”
    â€œBut you had other interests.”
    â€œYes.”
    One syllable said without regret but full of sadness. More family expectations, Darcie decided. Hoping to lighten his mood, she shifted the subject. “Why don’t you tell me about Pieter’s fiancée?”
    That muscle ticked in Nick’s jaw again. “Selene.”
    The wind rushed past in the open car, but the tension grew thicker. “Um, that’s a pretty name.”
    He snorted. “We grew up together, the three of us.” Nick paused before adding, “Selene and I used to date.”
    Darcie blinked, too surprised to apply tact when she said, “You dated the woman your brother is marrying?”
    â€œIt would be more accurate to say that my brother is marrying a woman I dated,” he replied tersely.
    â€œOh.” More like uh-oh. Darcie had stepped into something unpleasant, and she had no clue how to scrape it gracefully off her shoe.
    â€œYou are wondering if I am heartbroken.”
    â€œAre you?” she asked bluntly.
    â€œIt was over a long time ago.”
    Nick might not be heartbroken — and the jury was still out on that as far as she was concerned — but Darcie didn’t think it was as over as he claimed it to be. She heard another emotion in his tone. Anger? Betrayal? If it truly was over, he would feel nothing. She wanted to ask why he and Selene had broken up, but she sensed that topic wasn’t open for discussion.
    She said quietly, “It has to be awkward.”
    â€œIt is.”
    Did this mean Nick was on the