Read Online Rykhan (Book 1 of Mate Search Series) by J.A. Hornbuckle - Free Book Online
Authors: J.A. Hornbuckle
Ads: Link
knees. But it
resisted her attempts and remained at mid-thigh.
“Stop squirming, Ley!” Pam sharply whispered,
bumping into her arm. “You look amazing.”
“You mean I look like an Amazon. Big
difference, girlfriend.” Leah had already noted that she was the
tallest person in the room, which wasn’t unusual and hadn’t been
since fifth grade.
“Two red wines, please,” Pam shouted to the
bartender loudly over the din of all the feminine voices in the
room before turning back to her best friend with a frown. “Stop
with the negativity, honey. Remember this is just another step in
your post-R.B. evolution!”
Cautiously taking the full wine glass from
Pam’s fingers, Leah turned away from the bar maneuvering slowly
through the pack of women directly behind her, a move made more
difficult by the damn high heels she wore as well as her
thoughts.
Yes, being at Talking Stick Resort and Casino
for their monthly speed-dating event was on the list she and Pam
had concocted last summer when Leah had finally admitted that she
needed a transformation. A change in not only her appearance, but
also her outlook since she was done, completely done, with mourning
Tony’s absence. Tony, the man she’d thought was the love of her
life, her college sweetheart, and the one she’d wasted four long
years on before finding out what a total rat-bastard he was.
Alternatively, R.B., for short.
She’d made many changes in just the few months
following his departure. Some of those that were noticeable like
swapping out her glasses for contacts and choosing clothes, which
actually fit after she’d lost weight. Who knew grieving the loss of
a relationship would turn out to be the best diet for her? Cutting
her waist-length hair and adding layers had been another big step,
allowing the chestnut brown waves to do their own thing. Leah had
to admit the style was a good look for her.
It was the internal changes Leah had found the
most difficult. Of going out and interacting with people. To set
foot outside her apartment door and do things other than go to work
or shop for groceries. Pam had been great in helping her find new
experiences; things to do that were interesting and fun.
Although now only moments away from
participating in the speed dating thingy, Leah wasn’t sure the idea
was one of Pam’s better ones. It had been easier to sign up for the
internet dating sites. At least when she’d entered her information
on the computer, Leah had time to think of her answers in advance
as she’d concocted her profile. Face-to-face meetings didn’t give a
girl time to plan or to delete and re-do. It was live and
in-person. All her fumblings, mutterings, and mistakes would be in
plain view for the seven minutes she was stuck with each potential
partner.
Pam’s fingers gripped Leah’s elbow as she
steered them through the crowd until they were off to one side of
the group. “Okay. So. You’ve got the list of rules, right?” Blonde
curls bobbed in emphasis as Pam looked up at her.
“Right here,” Leah mumbled holding up her small
purse before tipping her head to her glass. “I know we can’t ask
for last names, phone numbers, where they work or live.”
“And you know to mark your sheet with the men
you would like to meet again?”
Leah couldn’t help her eye-roll at Pam’s
question. As if she was going to meet someone interesting or, more
telling, interested in her at one of these things. “Oh yeah. I’ll
be making lots of little checks on the paper, Mommy.”
“Sheesh, you’re a pain when you’re nervous!”
Pam fluffed her hair with a manicured hand and took a large gulp of
her wine. Moves Leah knew signaled her friend’s own brand of
trepidation at what was to come.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea…” Leah
started but Pam immediately interrupted.
“Oh no, you don’t. I paid forty bucks for my
ticket and that’s just too much to walk away from!” Pam grabbed
Leah’s forearm. “And if I’m
resisted her attempts and remained at mid-thigh.
“Stop squirming, Ley!” Pam sharply whispered,
bumping into her arm. “You look amazing.”
“You mean I look like an Amazon. Big
difference, girlfriend.” Leah had already noted that she was the
tallest person in the room, which wasn’t unusual and hadn’t been
since fifth grade.
“Two red wines, please,” Pam shouted to the
bartender loudly over the din of all the feminine voices in the
room before turning back to her best friend with a frown. “Stop
with the negativity, honey. Remember this is just another step in
your post-R.B. evolution!”
Cautiously taking the full wine glass from
Pam’s fingers, Leah turned away from the bar maneuvering slowly
through the pack of women directly behind her, a move made more
difficult by the damn high heels she wore as well as her
thoughts.
Yes, being at Talking Stick Resort and Casino
for their monthly speed-dating event was on the list she and Pam
had concocted last summer when Leah had finally admitted that she
needed a transformation. A change in not only her appearance, but
also her outlook since she was done, completely done, with mourning
Tony’s absence. Tony, the man she’d thought was the love of her
life, her college sweetheart, and the one she’d wasted four long
years on before finding out what a total rat-bastard he was.
Alternatively, R.B., for short.
She’d made many changes in just the few months
following his departure. Some of those that were noticeable like
swapping out her glasses for contacts and choosing clothes, which
actually fit after she’d lost weight. Who knew grieving the loss of
a relationship would turn out to be the best diet for her? Cutting
her waist-length hair and adding layers had been another big step,
allowing the chestnut brown waves to do their own thing. Leah had
to admit the style was a good look for her.
It was the internal changes Leah had found the
most difficult. Of going out and interacting with people. To set
foot outside her apartment door and do things other than go to work
or shop for groceries. Pam had been great in helping her find new
experiences; things to do that were interesting and fun.
Although now only moments away from
participating in the speed dating thingy, Leah wasn’t sure the idea
was one of Pam’s better ones. It had been easier to sign up for the
internet dating sites. At least when she’d entered her information
on the computer, Leah had time to think of her answers in advance
as she’d concocted her profile. Face-to-face meetings didn’t give a
girl time to plan or to delete and re-do. It was live and
in-person. All her fumblings, mutterings, and mistakes would be in
plain view for the seven minutes she was stuck with each potential
partner.
Pam’s fingers gripped Leah’s elbow as she
steered them through the crowd until they were off to one side of
the group. “Okay. So. You’ve got the list of rules, right?” Blonde
curls bobbed in emphasis as Pam looked up at her.
“Right here,” Leah mumbled holding up her small
purse before tipping her head to her glass. “I know we can’t ask
for last names, phone numbers, where they work or live.”
“And you know to mark your sheet with the men
you would like to meet again?”
Leah couldn’t help her eye-roll at Pam’s
question. As if she was going to meet someone interesting or, more
telling, interested in her at one of these things. “Oh yeah. I’ll
be making lots of little checks on the paper, Mommy.”
“Sheesh, you’re a pain when you’re nervous!”
Pam fluffed her hair with a manicured hand and took a large gulp of
her wine. Moves Leah knew signaled her friend’s own brand of
trepidation at what was to come.
“Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea…” Leah
started but Pam immediately interrupted.
“Oh no, you don’t. I paid forty bucks for my
ticket and that’s just too much to walk away from!” Pam grabbed
Leah’s forearm. “And if I’m
Similar Books
