Read Online The Valentine Grinch by Sheila Seabrook - Free Book Online

for family
gatherings at the last minute, then escape the first chance she
got. “Do you remember Dane Weatherby?”
    “Sure. He’s that nerdy kid who used to live across
the street. Morty’s grandson, right?”
    “Yeah.”
    “Did you know he used to have a crush on you?”
    On another patch of ice, Amanda nearly lost her
footing. She found her balance and stepped off the sidewalk onto
some snow, then stood there. “No he didn’t.”
    “Yes he did. You were oblivious because you had a
crush on one of the football players.” The line crackled and
cleared. “So what’s up with Dane?”
    Amanda closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Might
as well admit the truth to someone because she didn’t think she
could keep this to herself any longer. “Steph, I think he’s the
one.”
    “The one what?” The line went
silent and then Stephanie exclaimed, “You mean the one ?”
    Misery turned her stomach. “Yeah.”
    “Holy smokes, Sis.” Silence filled the line again,
broken only by the crackle of Stephanie moving around wherever she
was. “Have you told him yet?”
    “No, and I don’t think I can.”
    “Look, I only have about five minutes before I have
to run, so hurry up and spill. Why not?”
    She pinched the place between her brows and tried
not to panic. “Well, first I saw Mom and Dad making out in the
backseat of the car—”
    A gagging noise came over the line. “You’re not
going to give me details, are you?”
    “Next time we meet. Hey, why should I suffer
alone?”
    “Great. Just get to the good stuff, will you?”
    “Then Dane gave me this Valentine note—”
    “What did it say?”
    “Be my Valentine Grinch Forever.”
    “Okay. Not exactly romantic, is
he?”
    Romantic? He’d accused her of being the least
romantic person he knew. And yet— “But he gets me, Steph. He showed
up at the door almost naked and gave me coffee.”
    “Wait, let’s go back to the naked part. I hear you
guys have snow. Did he have boots on?”
    She knew her sister. She’d rather hear about the sex
than discuss the emotions. Amanda wrapped up the story in a
breathless rush. “No. I went to his house, and then he came to help
me decorate the wedding car and before I could stop myself, I tried
to get him naked in Mom’s car.”
    “So did you? Get him naked?”
    “No. And now he’s avoiding me and I think I’ve
ruined our friendship, and now I don’t know what to do.”
    A breath of air blew through the phone. “So it was
all one sided.”
    She recalled the way he’d kissed her, as though he’d
wanted to inhale her. “No, I don’t think so.”
    “So he tried to get you naked too?”
    Amanda thought of his hot mouth on her nipple. “Oh
yeah.”
    “Was it good?”
    “The best I’ve ever had.”
    “Right, like you’ve had a lot of experience.”
Another voice came through the line and Stephanie said, “Hold on a
sec.”
    Up the street, Amanda saw Dane come out his front
door and head for his truck. When he saw her standing on the edge
of the sidewalk, he paused, one hand on the door handle, the other
in his pocket. Her body reacted in a rush of heat and breathless
joy.
    What would it be like to make love with him? Would
she ever get the opportunity to find out?
    After a moment, he took his hand off the door handle
and headed her way.
    Panic bubbled up inside of her. She lowered her
voice to a whisper. “Steph, are you there? He’s coming this
way.”
    “Yes, I’m back. So is he worth a repeat? Maybe
another rejection?”
    She didn’t hesitate for even a second. “Not if it
means losing my best friend.”
    “Then there’s your answer, Sis.” Stephanie swore
into the phone. “I really have to go. Give Grandma and Mom and Dad
a hug from me. Tell them I’ll see them all tomorrow.”
    And then the line went dead. Amanda slipped the
phone into her coat pocket and watched Dane approach.
    Guilt hit her square in the gut.
    Stephanie was right. What had she been thinking? Her
seduction attempt