Read Online Past Imperfect by Alison G. Bailey - Free Book Online

waiter leaves, the discussion turns toward the book.
    “So our book this month, Impossible Perfection by A. K. Stewart. What did y’all think?” Sylvie begins.
    “I loved it although it made me ugly cry from seventy-five percent on,” Mel says.
    Turning to me, Christine asks, “Brad, do you know what an ugly cry is?”
    “Um… when you cry so hard that your face contorts into an ugly mess? Although, I can’t imagine any of you ladies even coming close to being unattractive.” I flash them the smile . Cue the next round of giggles.
    “Unbelievable,” Mabry mumbles under her breath.
    “Oh, don’t mind her, Brad, She’s been wound up and frustrated all week,” Sylvie informs.
    A wicked grin involuntarily appears across my face as I look over at Mabry. “Well, maybe I could help unwind you.” Three deep sighs in unison come from the other end of the table.
    “So, the book… thoughts on the book?” Mabry asks, trying to divert attention away from us.
    “The book, yeah. I loved it. Nathan was absolutely perfect. He’s right up there with Christian, Caleb, and Kellan as best book boyfriend for me,” Sylvie states.
    I continue to stare at Mabry and fight the urge to reach over and grab her hand. I haven’t touched her in a week and I crave the contact. I halfway hear the ladies chatter on, not paying attention to who says what.
    “I wanted to slap that damn Abigail in the face, then punch her in the throat and then shake her.”
    “I know, right? Why did she keep pushing sweet perfect Nathan away? I swear I screamed several times for her to get her head out of her ass, already. He told her a thousand times he loved her.”
    “If there hadn’t been all the push-pull the book would have been the length of a pamphlet.”
    “The twist almost had me throwing my Kindle against the wall.”
    “Oh and Brantley… he was hot as hell even though he turned out to be a Smurffucker. I think there’s more to him. I hope the author writes a book about Brantley.”
    “Brad, what do you think about what Brantley did?” The sound of my name breaks me from my Mabry trance.
    “I’m sorry. What?” I look toward the other ladies.
    “What did you think about what Brantley did to Abigail?” Christine asks.
    “Well, I’m sure he had his reasons. People aren’t all bad or all good. I bet Nathan isn’t as perfect as he appeared. Brantley probably has deep issues.” I turn my focus to Mabry. “Maybe he tried to stay away, but craved her so much that he couldn’t think clearly. He needed that connection with her. He felt lost and lonely, and couldn’t imagine his life being anything but miserable if she wasn’t in it.”
    There was complete silence at the table. Mabry and I lock eyes for a few seconds before she abruptly scoots her chair back. “Excuse me. I need to go to the ladies room.”
    “Excuse me too, ladies,” I say, following after her.
    As I round the corner I see her head into the ladies single restroom. I slip in behind her, closing the door and locking it.
    “Brad, this is the ladies room,” Mabry says in a low voice.
    “I know.”
    “You’re not supposed to be in here.”
    She walks to the sink and combs her hair with her fingers. She’s wearing a gray jersey halter sundress, exposing her soft shoulders. Her favorite color, orange, shoots up from the hem onto the flowing skirt that hits just at her knees. Simple silver hoop earrings and sandals complete her easy sexy look. It’s been a week since we had any physical contact. I can’t resist any longer, so I move in close, wrap my arms around her waist, and nuzzle her neck. Her body immediately molds to mine, leaning back against my chest. The electrical volt that passes between us is overwhelming. My pulse picks up and I feel Mabry’s doing the same.
    I let my lips glide up and down her neck. “I’ve missed you so much, Sweetness.”
    “Brad, please…,” she whispers.
    “Please what?” I ask against her neck.
    “Stop showing