Read Online The Alpha Dating Game: An Extremely Sensual BBW Shifter Romance by Dawn Steele - Free Book Online Page A

over.
    She knew she would be checking her phone every two minutes tonight.
    “So how was it?” Lyla gushed when she stepped into their room.
    “Incredible!”
    Jessica spent the next thirty minutes detailing to Lyla everything that happened. It was her turn now. She used to spend hours and hours since high school listening to Lyla talk about her dates, and now it was her turn! She could squee with the immense satisfaction it gave her.
    After she had finished Lyla’s interrogation, Lyla said mysteriously, “Well, I’ve done some snooping.”
    “I thought you were going out with Stuart.”
    “I did, but I did plenty of snooping along way on my phone.”
    “You mean Googling?”
    “Yes. I Googled your boy and searched for him all over on Facebook, Twitter and Linked In. And you know what?” Lyla’s expression was crafty.
    “What?”
    “He’s not anywhere.”
    Jessica waited patiently, and when her best friend did not say anything, she ventured, “And . . . ?”
    “I’m just saying he’s a ghost! Everyone has an Internet presence these days, even you.”
    “He was on the dating website.”
    “Not anymore. His profile has been taken down.”
    Jessica would like to think that was because he met her, which meant he was off the market. “Not everyone is on Facebook, Lyla.”
    “Yes, but I should be able to find something on him. Alumni photos, blog mentions . . . you know how college kids are. There’s always a mention of someone somewhere . But there are only crickets where he’s concerned.”
    “Crickets?”
    “Chirp chirp chirp chirp.”
    “So what am I supposed to do? Insist he set up a Facebook page?”
    “No, silly. I’m saying he might not be who he says he is, that’s all. Did you ask to see his ID?”
    It was Jessica’s turn to bridle. “I don’t believe you. You were the one pushing me so hard to go out with him. And now you’re suspicious?”
    “I am not! I’m just saying he might not be who he says he is and you have to be careful, that’s all.”
    The realization of what Lyla was going all about struck Jessica like a sledgehammer in the gut. She was stunned for a moment, and then the hurt flowered like a bleeding wound.
    “You don’t want me to have a boyfriend,” she said in a small voice.
    Lyla looked stricken. “Jess, that’s not true! Of course I want you to have a boyfriend! If anyone deserves to have a gorgeous boyfriend, it’s you. Haven’t I been pushing you all this while? I’m just saying ‘be careful’, nothing more! Jess . . . I only want the best for you. You have to believe that!”
    Jessica shook her head. “I don’t know, Lyla. I don’t know.”
    Her eyes filled with sudden tears.
    “Oh, Jess!” Lyla was truly distressed. She ran to Jessica on the bed and hugged her. Jessica did not hug back. “I’m sorry, Jess. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for you to see it that way. I take it back. You are right. Not everyone has an Internet presence. He’s just one of those people.”
    Tentatively, Jessica put her arms around her friend and weakly hugged her back. But the damage was done. The seed of doubt had been sown, and Jessica would be subconsciously suspicious of her best friend’s motives from now on.
    To kiss and make up, Lyla spent Saturday night with Jessica at the movies. But all throughout the movie, which was the latest ‘Paranormal Activity’ sequel, Jessica couldn’t help thinking of what Lyla said.
    He might not be who he says he is.
    She wanted to sweep it like cobwebs under the table, but it nestled in the back of her mind like a watchful spider that wouldn’t quite go away.

THIRD DATE
     
    The next day, Kyle suggested a movie date.
    “I haven’t caught the latest ‘Paranormal Activity’,” he said.
    It was on the tip of Jessica’s tongue to say, “Sure, let’s watch it together”, but she reminded herself that she needn’t be a doormat and try to please people all the time, and she should say what she thought because this