Read Online His Perfect Woman (Harlequin Superromance) by Kay Stockham - Free Book Online Page B

smell like boy and dog and peanut butter sandwiches.
    â€œI’m setting the record straight before you embarrass all of us.” His head lowered until he was at eye level with her. “You and Ellen didn’t talk about that in the kitchen, did you?”
    She almost smirked, would’ve if she’d found the situation the slightest bit funny. But Bryan admitting he’d only hired her because of Ellen… She couldn’t laugh about that. “Nope.”
    He swore softly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have opened my big mouth and—”
    â€œDon’t be sorry. I’m glad I know. It makes things a lot easier.”
    He stilled. “What things?”
    â€œI quit.”
    â€œOh no, you don’t. Melissa, it isn’t what you think,” he murmured huskily.
    â€œHow do you get that? Because what I think is that Ellen somehow convinced you to hire me, which gets you the help you need, me out of the way and Ellen the marriage she wants.”
    â€œI admit Ellen was the person who told me you were looking for work, but she didn’t make me hire you and to insinuate she has that power implies a deeper relationship than friendship. Something I’m certain your father wouldn’t appreciate.”
    Meaning they were more than friends—or had been—and her dad suspected? Was that why her dad hadn’t liked the idea of Bryan returning for leftovers? “If not because of her then why did you hire me?”
    Did it matter why? Melissa tried to sink into the unyielding door to escape, but it didn’t work. And it did matter. She might be desperate to reestablish her independence, but she couldn’t handle being thought of as a charity case by her childhood friend.
    â€œDidn’t we go over this last night? I hired you because I figured—” Bryan’s voice lowered to a gravelly pitch “—you’d want to prove everyone who thinks you’re too fragile or ill or unemployable wrong. I hired you because a long time ago, we were friends.” His eyes glittered in the dimness, the Exit sign above their heads giving his sandy-golden hair and body an orangish cast. “We’re both in a predicament here. I have an opening, you need a job. If you’ve changed your mind, tell me now and let’s be done with this, but don’t blame Ellen or me because you’re not up to the challenge of working for me.”
    Not up to the— “It’s not that simple and you know it.” She shook her head, thankful the movement had him taking note of the lack of space separating them and drawing back. Foronce he appeared as uncomfortable as she felt, but she was too angry to appreciate the fact. “I don’t like Ellen or you or anyone else thinking I can’t find a job on my own.”
    â€œThen prove you’re up to keeping it.”
    â€œProve I’m up to—You think I can’t do it?” Melissa shoved a finger hard into his chest. “Back off, Booger Boy,” she said, using the nickname he’d earned long ago, “and watch me.”

CHAPTER FIVE
    M ELISSA FITTED the floppy hat more firmly to her head and tried not to notice the surprised glances sent her way. She opened the back door of her car and retrieved Ashley’s baby-shower gifts, resisting the urge to dive inside and hide.
    How she had wound up here in the first place was still a mystery. At least to her. The party was being held by Mrs. H. and the garden club that Ashley belonged to, and while Melissa had always adored Mrs. H., she wasn’t quite sure she was ready to face the townspeople at so public a function. Attending the B and B’s opening-day celebration was one thing, but Ashley’s baby shower?
    But she couldn’t decline. Not when the news would spread and cause more gossip. So she had to attend the baby shower with a smile on her face and pretend it didn’t hurt to think of Joe becoming a