Read Online Please Remember Me by Wendi Zwaduk - Free Book Online Page A

have it? If that’s what you mean by something to lose, I never really had it to begin with.”
    When Judi frowned, Jaden nodded. “Yep. My mother left me a trust fund, but I can’t access it unless I do something charitable with it. Until this past year, I couldn’t get past my selfishness long enough to even consider doing something for someone else. I’ve got money from the last D-list movie I made, but it won’t last forever. I’m at rock bottom.”
    Another round of thumps echoed in the room. “What’s going on out there? Are you tearing the roof off or did you give Steven the hammer for stress relief?”
    “Steven went to Baltimore for business. His stress is of his own making, but the next time he calls and gripes at you, let me know. He can’t holler at me without getting an earful.”
    Jaden grinned. Having Judi as a mother-figure felt nice, like a treasured gift she didn’t deserve.
    A smile built at the corners of Judi’s mouth. “I didn’t want the porch to leak this winter so I have a boy here doing repairs.”
    Before Jaden could question Judi’s statement, Sparky jumped and growled at her feet. Jaden shook her head. “Okay, okay. I guess you’re ready to go and I don’t want to clean up more piddle. We’ll be back.”
    “I’ll see you after a bit.” Judi patted Jaden’s arm. “Call Cass. I think you’ll have a great time at the races. I know I did the last time I went. Plus, Sparks needs a few hours to rest. He’s not used to all the exercise.”
    “You got it.” As Jaden strolled out onto the porch, a silver ladder blocked the stairs. At least it wasn’t grouchy Steven. Sliding on her sunglasses, she called back into the house. “Um, how am I supposed to get off the porch? The boy has the steps blocked.” She added, “The moron,” when she turned back towards the street.
    A pair of work-boot-encased feet descended the ladder. Dusty jeans clung to the legs. Some men could get away with the grubby workman look. Wonder if the rest of him is hot? she mused. Once the legs came into view, Jaden realised who was responsible for the hammering. “Marlon?”
    Peering between the rungs of the ladder, he grinned. “I’m Marlon, not moron, but thanks for shouting it all over the neighbourhood. People wondered and now they know.”
    Her ears burnt. Great, she’d told him she hated him and compounded it with an insult. Wonderful. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you were up there. She said it was a boy.”
    Even under the bill of his racing cap, his green eyes sparkled. The dimple in his left cheek deepened as his grin grew. “Would it have made a difference?”
    Sparky yelped. Realising the dog wanted to go for his walk, she snapped her attention away from the thick muscles rippling underneath Marlon’s tight, dirt-smeared T-shirt. Heat swirled low in her belly. God, what would it feel like to smooth her hands all over his body? To clean him up after a long afternoon of hard work?
    “Jaden Marie?”
    Shifting her gaze from his chest to his eyes, she blushed again. Damn, he’d caught her looking. Her stomach clenched as the quivers made their way down her spine. She liked his appraisal, even if he said nothing at all.
    Marlon nodded at the dog. “You’d better get moving. Sparky just peed on your tennis shoe. Are Azad originals waterproof?”
    As she wriggled her toes in her high-heeled sneaker, the dampness seeped into her sock. Swell. She sighed—so much for name brand. Nope, the dog and the man weren’t going to break her mood. If Sparky wanted to walk, then they’d walk. If Marlon wanted to laugh at her, then let him laugh. Spying the side exit off the porch, she made a beeline for the second set of steps and shoved her sunglasses higher on the bridge of her nose. “I won’t melt. Come, Sparks. Let’s go for your walkies.”
    With a happy yelp, Sparky surged off the porch and into the yard. Although it took a block to calm him down, she let him go at his own pace. At least