Read Online Perfectly Broken by Prescott Lane - Free Book Online Page A

opened his menu and scanned it. “I’m an only child, too.”
    “What about your parents? They’re still together?”
    “32 years.”
    “What do they do?” Peyton asked, tilting her head to make eye contact.
    Reed took a long drink. “My mom never worked.” Then he gave a naughty smile. “Being my mom was a full-time job.”
    “I bet it still is.”
    “She dedicates a large part of each day telling me to redecorate my loft, find a woman to give her grandchildren, and cut my hair. And when she’s not doing that, she’s on several charity boards around town.”
    “What’s wrong with your hair?” Peyton reached up and gently touched it.
    Reed’s eyes sparkled at her touch. He leaned into her, their lips only inches apart. “Are you actually admitting you like something about me?”
    The waiter approached to take their order. Peyton dropped her hand and scooted her chair back, their playful moment over. Reed silently cursed the waiter then politely asked him for a few more minutes.
    “So what about your dad?”
    Reed pulled at his shirt collar, suddenly wishing the waiter would come back. “My dad owns several businesses in town.”
    “Really? Any places I’ve heard of?”
    “A few hotels,” he said, shrugging.
    Hotels? That’s convenient. Peyton set her hands in her lap, unsure what to say next. “Do you ever do any work with your dad?”
    Reed looked around for the waiter, now tending to another table. “My father and I, uh, well, we....”
    Peyton’s phone rang. “I’m so sorry. I forgot to turn it off.”
    Reed assured her it was fine; indeed, he couldn’t have hoped for better timing.
    Peyton found her phone in her purse, buried under Quinn’s “Shame on You” kit. “Sorry, I need to take this.” She stood up from the table — and so did Reed — then quickly walked outside with her phone to her ear.
    He followed her with his eyes, watching her through the window, her back to him, admiring how the blue dress perfectly framed the curve of her waist. Then she turned slightly, her profile coming into view, and he saw something was wrong. Did Griffin call? She appeared to be shaking. She hung up the phone, then her eyes caught his. Reed stood up, seeing a tear on her cheek. He threw several bills down on the table and rushed outside, half-hoping it was Griffin who called. The boxer he was, Reed hadn’t been in a good fight in a long time and pummeling Griffin was long overdue. When he got outside, he saw her tears had multiplied. “Who’s ass do I need to kick?”
    “No one,” she said, managing a smile before her voice cracked. “It’s Gram. I’m sorry. I have to go.”
    Reed took her hand. “Let’s go.”
    * * *
    Peyton researched various centers before settling on Poydras Home. It was right down the street from her pie shop, close to her home, and most important of all, seemed a perfect fit — with lots of activities to keep her grandmother entertained. After all, her mind was still there, but her body wasn’t what it once was, a fact Gram was reluctant to accept. But Gram knew it was for the best. She’d lived in Poydras Home for the past year.
    Peyton and Reed hurried inside the lobby and towards a door leading to a corridor where the residents lived. Before they could open it, a young receptionist stopped them. “I’m sorry, you can’t go back.”
    “What? My grandmother, Adelaide Mayfield, is hurt. Nurse Gloria called me like ten minutes ago.”
    “I understand, but the doctor is examining your grandmother right now,” the receptionist said, fixing her eyes on Reed. “He’ll come talk to you when he’s done.”
    “I need to see her.” Peyton tried to go around her, but the receptionist blocked her path. “I can’t believe this is happening!” Reed put his arm around her.
    “There’s really nothing I can do,” the receptionist said, playing with her hair, wishing Reed’s arm was around her. “It’s our policy.”
    Reed sensed an opening. “Look, I