Read Online Tainted by Brooke Morgan - Free Book Online

don’t think they have brains.”
    â€œSomehow I think you’re right.”
    â€œWhich makes it fine to eat them.”
    â€œCompletely fine,” he nodded.
    She was back on track with him now, finding it easy to talk again. How did he manage to put her at ease? She didn’t know; what she did know, though, was that other women always looked at him. When he passed by, females inevitably stared. She could see with peripheral vision that many even turned their heads to keep looking at him. Yet he didn’t respond at all. In fact, he didn’t even seem to notice. Because he was so used to it or because he didn’t see it happening or because he didn’t care?
    They settled back down in the booth. Jack was wearing a pale blue shirt with the sleeves rolled up above his elbows. This was all beginning to seem so normal, so relaxed, Holly felt giddy.
    â€œSo, how was the interview? Good, I guess, seeing as how you got the job.”
    â€œGreat, actually. It’s a nice restaurant. I start tomorrow so I have to get a move on. I’ve rented a little flat—apartment—just by the boatyard, so it’s an easy walk.”
    â€œPretty much anything is an easy walk in Shoreham.”
    â€œI’ve noticed. You described it perfectly on the bus: a street like a street in old movies. It looks like it hasn’t changed much in decades.”
    â€œIt’s changing now, though. More people are moving here year round; they’re figuring out that the commute to Boston isn’t that bad except in the summer and that it’s a good place for families. Pretty soon there’ll be a lot more than that one street. And there’ll be more upmarket places like Figs to cater for everyone. Plus there’s a new mall going up just half an hour away down Route 495.”
    â€œThat’s a shame.”
    â€œMy grandfather would agree.”
    â€œAnd you?”
    Holly recognized her chance and took it.
    â€œI’m not hopelessly old-fashioned.”
    â€œThat’s a shame too.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI’m not a big fan of modern, that’s all.”
    â€œWhy not?”
    â€œBecause it’s out of control. You should see the young people in Britain now. They go binge drinking as often as possible, make as much noise as possible, get sick on the pavement, get into fights and end up in hospital. And that’s supposed to be fun.” He shook his head. “No one has any self-control, but that’s fine because they’re all modern and that’s the way of the modern world. I don’t understand it.”
    â€œNumber 157, your order is ready.”
    â€œThat’s us.”
    They both got up and went back to collect their food.
    So I misunderstood that comment on the bus. It was a compliment, not derogatory. I was so worried about it and I didn’t need to be. He actually likes old-fashioned. But how old-fashioned is it to be a single mother with a five-year-old? What will he think when I tell him about Katy? Why haven’t I told him yet? Because I’m waiting for the right time. It will come. I just want him to get to know me as Holly before he knows me as a mother.
    When they sat back down, their trays were laden with red lobsters, plastic cups of butter, forks, knives, water to dip their hands in and implements to crack the lobsters open.
    â€œA feast.” Jack picked up his glass of wine. “Here’s to brainless lobsters and a perfect choice of restaurant.”
    Holly clicked her plastic glass against his.
    â€œI’m glad you like it.” She took a sip, watched as he began to work on pulling his lobster apart. “Do you miss England?”
    â€œSometimes.” He was looking befuddled as he picked up the shears, put them down, picked up a claw and tried to wrench it off with his hands.
    â€œYou must miss your family—hold on—you’re doing it the hard way—let me show