Read Online Sunday (Timeless Series #7) by E. L. Todd - Free Book Online Page A

money for the land—a fortune. I was glad he was reaching new levels of wealth. Not for his sake, but for Francesca’s. If she wanted to quit her job and sell the bakery, she’d have that opportunity. She could stay home and raise their two kids. I suspected she would never do that, but it was nice to have the option.
    Rose halted in the center of the lot and kept making notes. She wore dark jeans and a loose blouse. Her hair was done in curls and her make up was done. She looked exceptional, like always. Just a week ago we slept together in the same bed, but now it seemed like we were a world apart.
    I stayed quiet so I wouldn’t disrupt her artistic thoughts. She was probably mapping out the entire place in her head, using that abnormally gifted brain of hers. She made a few more notes before she closed her notebook. “I think I have everything I need.”
    “Great.” I walked with my hands in my pockets, appearing as casual as possible. “Just give one of us a call when you’re ready to discuss your progress.”
    “I will.”
    We walked to the sidewalk. Fortunately, there wasn’t any foot traffic in the area. I could feel the awkwardness rest on my shoulders. Naturally, I wanted to say something. I wanted to invite her to dinner or tell her I missed her. I wanted to convince her she was my soul mate, the one person I wanted to spend my life with. But I had to act like I didn’t care. It was the only approach I hadn’t tried. “Well, I guess I’ll see you around.” I nodded my head slightly in her direction then quickly turned around. It took all my strength to keep up the act, to pretend she didn’t mean a damn thing to me.
    “Kyle.”
    I turned around and kept up my poker face. “What’s up?”
    She held the notebook to her chest, a fight going on deep inside her. “Are you still mad at me?”
    It was the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard her say. Was I having a conversation with a high school girl? “Why would I be mad at you?”
    “The way we left things…”
    “Rose, I’m over it. I’m not going to keep fighting for someone who doesn’t want me. You’ve made your decision and I accept that. I worked my ass off to win that case for you, and I was the gentlest and most caring boyfriend the world has ever seen—but it wasn’t enough for you. I’m not going to keep wasting my time on someone who doesn’t deserve it.” I kept my gaze cold, freezing her skin and everything beneath. Then I turned around and walked away without looking back. It was heartbreaking to act this way, to give her the cold shoulder in such a rude manner. But she didn’t leave me any other choice. Either this would work or I would lose her altogether.

Misery
    Rose
    When Kyle said he had plans later that night, did he have a date?
    It was like a light had switched off in his head. He was one man, and then he completely changed the next instant. When we couldn’t work it out he turned cold—something I’ve never seen him do before. I understood his anger and frustration, but he didn’t seem to care about my feelings at all.
    It hurt.
    Seeing him flirt with that blonde woman and possibly ask her on a date made me sick to my stomach. I still loved him and missed him, and to see him move on from me so quickly was nauseating. I wish we could work out our differences and move on, but that wasn’t so simple for me.
    Did he not understand that?
    Florence called me one evening when I was sitting at home drinking a bottle of wine. “Hey, I heard about the trial in the paper.”
    “Good news, isn’t it?”
    “It is.” She didn’t sound too enthused about it. “Are you okay?”
    “I’m glad he’s in jail. And I’m glad he’ll be there for the rest of his life. Of course I’m okay.” I refilled my glass and took another drink.
    “Then why do you sound so miserable?”
    For entirely different reasons. “Kyle and I broke up.”
    “What?” she blurted into the phone. “I didn’t know that. I’m