Read Online Lessons From a Younger Lover by Zuri Day - Free Book Online

fake hair. No, she wasn’t interested in Ransom from a personal perspective but from one of a concerned resident wanting to know more about the man kind enough to track down troublesome squirrels for Miss Mary.
    Gwen eased into the coffee shop parking lot and parked next to a Jeep that seemed more suited for the desert than a sedate town of ten thousand. Still, there was something about the ruggedness and strength that struck her as thoughtful. In a world where everything was about the bling-bling, like Adam’s sporty Porsche or Chantay’s champagne wardrobe on a beer budget, this display of restraint was welcomed.
    The twinkling of the door chimes to Kristy’s Coffee Shop welcomed Gwen into the establishment and provided a strange comfort. Since leaving Joe, or vice versa, and the news about her mother’s deteriorating mental state, her life had been anything but routine. Coming here almost every day gave the place a familiar feel. In the few weeks left until the first day of school, Gwen was determined to find the peace and predictability she once took for granted.
    Gwen stepped into the cool confines and tantalizing smells of the eclectically decorated establishment. Again she noticed the homey, personal touches Kristy had used to make her business feel as if one were sitting in someone’s home. Cozy, overstuffed chairs in deep mustards and burgundies vied for space with two colorfully striped love seats that anchored each wall. Two tall, worn bookcases held the latest newspapers, gossip rags, and a variety of used books. The ledge under a game table housed chess, checkers, Scrabble, and a couple decks of cards. Four round wooden table and chair sets lined the back wall. Local artists added their creative flair to the salmon-colored walls with prices for the artwork discreetly displayed on wooden blocks beneath each piece. The overhead lighting was subdued, with lamps strategically placed throughout to give the readers additional illumination if needed. The low-playing music had a world beat sound that lent an organic quality to the overall vibe.
    â€œHey, Gwen.”
    â€œHey, Kristy. You know, I’ve been meaning to tell you that I love the decor here. Is it your design?”
    â€œDesign may be a bit lofty a description. Basically I scoured estate sales and flea markets for whatever I couldn’t steal out of my parents’ basement.”
    â€œYou gotta appreciate a woman who can improvise.”
    â€œThat’s what I say. Your favorite double-Dutch chocolate today?”
    â€œActually, I think I’ll wait to decide. I’m meeting someone.”
    â€œNo problem. I’ll just finish up this order. Let me know when you’re ready.”
    As Gwen studied the menu on the wall, a man came up behind her.
    â€œThere’s my butterfly. How long have you been waiting for me?”
    Gwen jumped at the husky sounding voice perilously close behind her. Knowing the man behind the voice, she closed her eyes and swallowed before stepping out of his reach and turning around.
    â€œHi, Ransom,” she said in her best professional, nonchalant, you-don’t-affect-me-at-all Mrs. Smith voice.
    Ransom took a step toward Gwen. Gwen took another step away from him.
    â€œWhy do you keep running from me?”
    â€œI’m not running from you. I just like my personal space, that’s all.”
    Ransom narrowed his eyes and nodded slowly. “Is that so?”
    â€œYes, that’s so.”
    â€œWell, I like it too. Although I am respectful. I wouldn’t want to step on your wedding vows and whatnot, try and take something that doesn’t belong to me. Is that why you’re unavailable, because you’re married?”
    Tell him, Gwen. Just say yes! But she could not. While technically true, she felt that to say this would be lying. But to say she was separated would invite questions about Joe, the last person she wanted to discuss. And while she