Read Online Just to See You Smile by Sally John - Free Book Online Page B

huh?”
    â€œMust be.”
    â€œAlec, you like your job, don’t you?”
    â€œI did. Now I’m not so sure. As manager, I expected I’d be traveling less next year. I expected on getting out of the routine. And I expected a raise! That’s not even in the picture now. I want to pay off the van and get Drew a car. I want to buy you something extravagant for a change. I want—”
    Anne placed a finger on his lips. “You know the money part will work out. It always does. And I don’t want something extravagant.”
    He pulled her close. She fit so naturally against him. “I’ve been doing the same thing for ten years. There’s nowhere else to move into except manager. You can’t become vice president until you’ve been manager. You know how much Kevin makes?”
    â€œKevin’s a podiatrist. We wouldn’t want his headaches or his lifestyle. And yes, unfortunately I know what he makes because Val has given me all the dreary details of what two households cost. Speaking of headaches, do you want some ibuprofen, honey?”
    â€œYes, thanks. But Val works a full-time job. They can’t be hurting too much.”
    She sat up and rubbed his temples. “In our economy, no, they’re not hurting much, but it’ll probably turn into a big, ugly issue in the divorce.”
    â€œMmm, that feels great.”
    â€œAre you calming down?”
    â€œI’ve been driving around since I left the office at lunchtime.”
    â€œOh, Alec. This isn’t against you personally, you know. It’s just politics.”
    He closed his eyes. What did she understand? She was a woman. “I thought I might call Peter.”
    â€œGood idea. Why don’t you invite him and Celeste over for pizza tonight? I’ll be home from practice early.”
    â€œDo you have something you can cook? Pizza gets expensive.”
    â€œAlec, our money situation hasn’t changed, has it?”
    â€œNot yet. It might if I resign.”

    Anne hadn’t seen Alec this strung out since he was studying for his master’s, working full-time, and attending Lamaze classes with her.
    It was a typical chaotic Saturday morning in the Sutton household. At the moment she wasn’t sure where the kids were. All she knew was that as she and Alec crossed paths in their bedroom, she made an idle comment about intending to paint the room in the spring, maybe put some paper on one wall. How opposed was he to something floral?
    â€œAnne! We’ve got to stop spending money.” He hadn’t shaved. He wore a sweatshirt he had pulled from the laundry hamper. “That pizza last night cost—”
    â€œWe don’t buy pizza regularly, Alec. It’s a treat. And it was a treat for Peter and Celeste. House maintenance is an ongoing thing. These walls haven’t been painted in five years. The pittance I make at the pharmacy will buy the paint.”
    â€œYou said wallpaper.”
    â€œThat too. One wall won’t cost that much.”
    â€œVal makes more than a pittance.”
    â€œYes, and between managing the Community Center and teaching aerobics, she practically lives there.”
    â€œYour pharmacy job is more like volunteer. And coaching per hour probably nets you two bucks.”
    â€œYou’re not allowed in the den with the checkbook before dawn again. Come on, Alec! Nothing has changed.”
    â€œDon’t you get tired of our tight budget?” He raked his fingers through his hair. “I’ll be 40 years old in a few months, and I’m still counting nickels and dimes.”
    â€œSo do our parents.”
    â€œThey’re retired. They have to.”
    She sighed in exasperation. “We don’t go without anything we need. Except for the van and the house, we’re not in debt. I only shop for necessities, and that’s fine with me. I don’t like shopping except at Christmastime. I don’t need