Read Online Perfect on Paper by Destiny Moon - Free Book Online Page B

he’d taken her hand and kissed the back of it. She could still detect David’s scent, a combination of detergent and a manly hint of musk. She was smitten. There was no denying it. Against her own rationale, she was deeply attracted to this young guy who gave her the delicious attention she’d been craving for so long. He didn’t ask her about the future, about kids and weddings. He didn’t seem to evaluate her against the rubric she’d grown accustomed to. That in itself was intoxicating. There was more to it, though. She got the sense that he had a pure heart, that he had a positive outlook on the world and that, too, was something she hadn’t come across during the past decade. Perhaps the reason the corporate world was so exhausting and draining was that it required a certain cynicism and selfishness. She was so glad to be free of that and grateful for this evening of bliss.
    Marnie called.
    “How was your date with the boy toy?” she wanted to know.
    “Um…well,” Nadine didn’t know how to put her feelings into words that her friend would understand.
    “Oh no,” Marnie said. “Don’t fall for him, okay? He’s just a baby. There’s no way you two are actually compatible.”
    “You’re the one who encouraged me!”
    “Yeah. That should be your first clue. I don’t know shit about men.”
    “He’s not a baby, by the way. He knows himself better than a lot of people I know.”
    “Oh, please. He thinks with his penis, like every other guy.”
    Nadine changed the subject. She didn’t want to spoil her precious evening by trying to convince her best friend of anything. She realized in that moment that it really didn’t matter to her what anyone else thought. They discussed Marnie’s co-workers instead.
     
    * * * *
     
    Nadine’s brow was sweaty. The doors were wide open and the cool October wind permeated her workspace. The scent of varnish was strangely appealing, a reminder of her grandfather. How she missed him. It didn’t take a degree in psychology to guess that Nadine’s love of furniture restoration connected her to her childhood, which she had spent helping her granddad at Winston’s Fine Furniture. She’d been so sad to see the business sell after his death but her parents didn’t want it and she had been too busy with her supposed career. Selling the shop had been easy. Grandpa Winston had an excellent reputation and the turnkey operation was off the market two days after it was listed.
    Her phone rang.
    “It’s David. Just wondering if you’d like some takeout. I know you’re busy. I won’t distract you. I just happened to be in your area and thought maybe it’d be hard to do everything you need to do and make food too.”
    “You’re too sweet,” she said. “I do have to eat.”
    “Great. I’ll swing by with some Thai food in about half an hour.”
    How did he know that Thai food was her absolute favorite? She was almost finished with the final coat of varnish on the dresser but wouldn’t have time to clean up and look presentable. She considered stopping but decided it was best if David saw the real her. Maybe it would change his puppy-dog infatuation and solve the problem of their relationship before it even began, she rationalized.
    As she hurried through the last strokes, she couldn’t help but wonder whether any of the guys she’d ever gone out with, especially Allan, would have come by with food for her, if she’d asked. Certainly none had ever called and offered.
     
    * * * *
     
    David, dressed in his best work clothes, pulled into Nadine’s driveway at quarter to three in the afternoon. He had felt on top of the world driving home the night before and he knew that he had no reason to play it cool with Nadine. He had no interest in playing games with her and he figured she would either appreciate that about him or not, and it didn’t much matter. He had to do what was right in his heart and that meant seeing as much of Nadine as possible.
    He saw Nadine