Read Online Speaking of Love (Perfect Kisses) by Ophelia London - Free Book Online Page A

lunch.”
    “Nice,” Mac said, smiling.
    “I wish you could find someone who makes you as happy as Jack makes me.”
    “I don’t need a—”
    “I know, I know,” Tess said, cutting her off. “You don’t need a man to make you happy. I didn’t mean it like that. I just think… In life, you reach different levels of content and happiness. For me, I was happy alone. You could say I was at the top level of my happiness. I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. But when I met Jack…” She smiled and looked down at her diamond ring. “It was like I reached this whole new level of happiness that I didn’t know existed. But I couldn’t get there alone.”
    Mac was annoyed with herself when she felt tears spring to her eyes. Where had they come from?
    “I just don’t want you to miss out on anything,” Tess added.
    “Believe me,” Mac said. “I’m not. I’m great. Work is good; I’m young and healthy. I’m not missing anything. I promise.”
    “Okay,” Tess said. “I believe you. Lecture over.”
    “Thank you.”
    “So.” Tess took a bite of her salad. “What time does Brandy arrive? Where is this lunch tomorrow? And what are you wearing?”
    …
    Rick ran a towel over his face. “Nice game,” he said to one of the players they had just beaten.
    “We’ll even it up.”
    “I don’t doubt it. See you next week.”
    After securing a towel around his waist, Rick walked out to the locker room. The others were already dressed.
    “We thought you fell down the drain,” Jack said, pushing up one of his shirt sleeves.
    “You get me up at the crack of dawn and then you’re the one not in a hurry,” Charlie said, riffling through his cammo duffle bag. “Nice.”
    Rick looked at the clock on the wall. He’d spent an extra ten minutes in the shower after their hockey game. He’d been distracted lately. Luckily he was able to keep his mind on the game long enough to score two goals and help his team win. Not that winning was all that important at these early morning games. It was more about exercise and camaraderie. Rick usually enjoyed starting off the day with his two buddies, but this morning, he couldn’t seem to stay focused.
    “I guess I zoned out for a while,” Rick said, opening his locker. “I should already be at the office. I have a lot to do before I go out to lunch.”
    “You got a lunch date?” Jack asked.
    Rick nodded.
    “Who’s the girl?” Charlie asked. “Mac?”
    Rick looked up. “Mac? No. Why would you think that?”
    Charlie tossed his towel toward the row of sinks. “My sister told me you’re dating.”
    Rick frowned. He sometimes forgot what a tight, little group he’d been pulled into: He’d been non-dating Mac, who was best friends with Tess, who was engaged to Jack and sister to Charlie. Sometimes he felt like he needed notecards to remember.
    “Not dating,” Rick corrected, opening his locker. “We’re friends.” After the words left his mouth, he felt about as masculine as a Lifetime movie. “In fact, she’s setting me up with one of her cousins.”
    “I haven’t met any cousins,” Jack said. “I only know her brother and sister. They’re fun, kind of rowdy, like Mac.”
    “I know,” Rick said, smiling to himself, remembering the comical glares darting across the table between Mac and her sister Justine last night. He’d never seen that side of Mac. He liked it.
    “Which cousin?” Charlie asked, pushing his hands through his hair while he checked himself out in the mirror.
    “She lives in Indianapolis,” Rick said. “Her name is Brandy.”
    “Brandy?” Charlie turned to him, grinning. “Oh, buddy.”
    Rick looked at him. “You’ve met her?”
    “Affirmative.” Charlie drew out the word. “I’ve known Mac’s family forever. Brandy used to spend plenty of summers here.” He whistled.
    Charlie was a documented ladies’ man. If one woman pulled his focus more than another, there was always a reason.
    “What’s she like?” Rick