Read Online The Plan - Chances & Choices Prequel by Helen Karol - Free Book Online Page A
Authors: Helen Karol
Tags: Romance, Literature & Fiction, Contemporary, Short Stories, Contemporary Fiction, New Adult & College, One Hour (33-43 Pages), Short Stories & Anthologies, Single Authors
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If she had, he might have... No, he was not bound by any promises!
“He was in is late fifties when his wife died AND he had a young daughter to look after and keep him company.” Andrea’s voice softened. “It was so wonderful when his wife had an unexpected baby in her early fifties. It was such a joy for them after being childless for so long. He died last year, as well, you know.”
It drew him back to the present, genuinely surprised and saddened. Liam Fitzpatrick had been part of the entertainment and fashion industry for – well forever. A freelance journalist and reviewer he was well respected and a solid pillar of an old school style of journalism that was fast disappearing. He didn’t know him well enough to truly mourn the man, but he knew enough of what he represented to mourn his passing.
Andrea brightened. Julian inwardly groaned. He knew his late wife’s closest friend well enough to tell when she was hatching something.
“ That’s who you should take to the ball – she’s perfect! Oh, I am glad. I was wracking my brains for the right choice.”
“I have no intention of even going to this ball. Never mind letting you fix me up with a date with a view to marrying me off so I can procreate, allowing your precious society to function. Contrary to what you imagine, I am not some waif Susanna adopted who is now your responsibility.”
Chapter Two
It’s Time
Andrea looked across her dining room table at the love of the late Susanna Ainsley’s life. His emerald eyes were flashing dangerously and his lower lip was pushing out ever so slightly. Susanna always expertly managed his tendency to either erupt in rage or sulk or sometimes both. His churlishness only increased his drop dead gorgeous appearance.
Susanna confided that she always tempted him into bed when Andrea expressed concern over his explosive temper. “Does it frighten me? Are you kidding?” Her friend laughed; her seductive tone and sensuous expression flushing Andrea with more than embarrassment. “Oh, Andrea, his temper’s delicious. I do soo ooo love angry sex.”
Poignancy washed over her. She really did often fail to think of Susanna as gone; how much harder must it be for Julian?
When Susanna brought him over in a wild daze to announce their marriage after only a few weeks, Andrea just saw an astonishingly good looking, intense, charming boy – after all, he was of an age on par with her own sons, but she couldn’t miss the fact that he was clearly very much a man to her childhood friend. Especially when he looked at her like he wanted to devour her.
She had been against the whirlwind marriage at first, cautioning a tempestuous affair instead. But as time went on and she saw more of them together, she understood why Susanna -not to mention the media - found their union irresistible.
Andrea was joyfully married to the love of her life but if she was ever going to stray – well! Just then, the afore-mentioned love of her life meandered absently into the dining room, no doubt looking for his pipe. She handed it to him and he popped it in his ratty sweater pocket and then held out two neckties in front of her. She considered and pointed at one. He nodded and started to make his way out, taking the pipe from his pocket.
Julian watched in envy at the wordless communication of the happily long married. He and Susanna had never quite reached that point. He pushed the thought and the emotion down where the plan demanded it go, along with all other futile and dangerous emotions.
“Don’t be foolish, Julian. I’m not suggesting a date. That’s why I was being so picky. This will be your first public appearance since – well since. It’s essential you have the correct escort.”
Julian hunkered down in his chair, attempting to hang on to his bad humour. She had a point. Maybe it was time. Andrea sensed his softening and was planning her next move
“He was in is late fifties when his wife died AND he had a young daughter to look after and keep him company.” Andrea’s voice softened. “It was so wonderful when his wife had an unexpected baby in her early fifties. It was such a joy for them after being childless for so long. He died last year, as well, you know.”
It drew him back to the present, genuinely surprised and saddened. Liam Fitzpatrick had been part of the entertainment and fashion industry for – well forever. A freelance journalist and reviewer he was well respected and a solid pillar of an old school style of journalism that was fast disappearing. He didn’t know him well enough to truly mourn the man, but he knew enough of what he represented to mourn his passing.
Andrea brightened. Julian inwardly groaned. He knew his late wife’s closest friend well enough to tell when she was hatching something.
“ That’s who you should take to the ball – she’s perfect! Oh, I am glad. I was wracking my brains for the right choice.”
“I have no intention of even going to this ball. Never mind letting you fix me up with a date with a view to marrying me off so I can procreate, allowing your precious society to function. Contrary to what you imagine, I am not some waif Susanna adopted who is now your responsibility.”
Chapter Two
It’s Time
Andrea looked across her dining room table at the love of the late Susanna Ainsley’s life. His emerald eyes were flashing dangerously and his lower lip was pushing out ever so slightly. Susanna always expertly managed his tendency to either erupt in rage or sulk or sometimes both. His churlishness only increased his drop dead gorgeous appearance.
Susanna confided that she always tempted him into bed when Andrea expressed concern over his explosive temper. “Does it frighten me? Are you kidding?” Her friend laughed; her seductive tone and sensuous expression flushing Andrea with more than embarrassment. “Oh, Andrea, his temper’s delicious. I do soo ooo love angry sex.”
Poignancy washed over her. She really did often fail to think of Susanna as gone; how much harder must it be for Julian?
When Susanna brought him over in a wild daze to announce their marriage after only a few weeks, Andrea just saw an astonishingly good looking, intense, charming boy – after all, he was of an age on par with her own sons, but she couldn’t miss the fact that he was clearly very much a man to her childhood friend. Especially when he looked at her like he wanted to devour her.
She had been against the whirlwind marriage at first, cautioning a tempestuous affair instead. But as time went on and she saw more of them together, she understood why Susanna -not to mention the media - found their union irresistible.
Andrea was joyfully married to the love of her life but if she was ever going to stray – well! Just then, the afore-mentioned love of her life meandered absently into the dining room, no doubt looking for his pipe. She handed it to him and he popped it in his ratty sweater pocket and then held out two neckties in front of her. She considered and pointed at one. He nodded and started to make his way out, taking the pipe from his pocket.
Julian watched in envy at the wordless communication of the happily long married. He and Susanna had never quite reached that point. He pushed the thought and the emotion down where the plan demanded it go, along with all other futile and dangerous emotions.
“Don’t be foolish, Julian. I’m not suggesting a date. That’s why I was being so picky. This will be your first public appearance since – well since. It’s essential you have the correct escort.”
Julian hunkered down in his chair, attempting to hang on to his bad humour. She had a point. Maybe it was time. Andrea sensed his softening and was planning her next move
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