Read Online Up to Date (Better Date than Never Book 8) by Susan Hatler - Free Book Online Page B

it. “I need a paycheck, not a distraction. Must be fun to have your carefree life.”
    She shrugged, then popped to her feet. “It’s Friday night. Liam’s taking me to this new club that just opened. Yes, he actually made it to date number two. I’ll admit it had something to do with how hot he looks with his goatee.”
    “Have a good time.” I dropped down into the chair at my desk. Great. Mary Ann would be out rocking the dance floor, while I’d be struggling to invent a creative logo design. As always, I chose to act responsibly while she got to act on her whims. This didn’t exactly give me the warm fuzzies.
    Mary Ann hesitated by my door, eyeing me up and down. “You look really depressed, Ginger.”
    My brows furrowed. “Gee, you think?”
    “I didn’t mean it like that.” She rolled her eyes, then propped a hand on her hip. “Come dancing with Liam and me tonight. That’s sure to snap you out of your funk.”
    Great idea, in theory, but I had work to do. Besides, dancing would only remind me of Greg, anyway.
    I gestured toward my drawings. “Thanks for the offer, but I have a project I’m working on. You have fun, though.”
    “I’ll be around for a few more hours if you change your mind,” she said, then sauntered away. Her invitation actually touched me. She may be a flake, but she tried to take care of me in her own way, and I loved that about her.
    I glanced at the clock. Five-thirty. Since Trenton was supposed to pick me up at seven, I needed to call him pronto. Taking a deep breath, I dialed his phone number. Canceling our date was all kinds of awkward, but I managed to stumble through it. He mentioned his ex again, which confirmed he probably thought about her as much as I thought of Greg. But he was trying to be rational about things. Just like I was.
    Too bad we both seemed miserable.
    Maybe I should listen to Mary Ann, stop thinking so much, and go for it with Greg. She threw caution to the wind all of the time and she was the epitome of happiness. The idea enticed me, but reason took over. I had no job. My livelihood rode on this magazine article generating clients for me. I needed to go upstairs and decorate, but that would be mega uncomfortable considering the debacle I’d created earlier by kissing Greg.
    Then a terrible thought sliced through my brain. Greg was an incredibly hot doctor with an amazing personality to boot. What if he’d asked someone else out tonight? What if she showed up at his condo while I was painting?
    The idea made me sick to my stomach.
    But I had no choice. I needed to impress Jenna like never before. Gritting my teeth, I picked up my phone and drafted a text to Greg: Mind if I come up and paint? I have your key if you’re not home.
    I shut my eyes and held my breath. He was probably out with some gorgeous doctor from work, who was gainfully employed, and couldn’t wait to pop out a dozen of his babies. I wondered if The Skipper would like her. . . .
    Ping! Ping!
    Squeezing one eye open, I slid my finger across the screen: Not a problem. I’m here and the door’s unlocked.
    I let out the breath I’d been holding, then typed back: Thanks. I’ll be right up.
    I pulled my long hair back into a ponytail, then changed into my painting clothes—a white tank and old black yoga pants. Then a terrible thought occurred to me. Just because Greg was home didn’t mean he was alone.

Chapter Six
    Ten minutes later, I trudged upstairs to Greg’s condo. What were the odds that a gorgeous, single doctor would be home alone on a Friday night? Oh, so slim. Seeing him with another woman would be torture. Why did Greg have to win my auction item? Was the universe exercising a sick sense of humor at my expense?
    At least Greg was quieter than my previous upstairs neighbor. I supposed that should count for something.
    I stepped onto the “welcome” doormat that I’d picked out—a gorgeous camel-brown straw rectangle with chocolate-brown script and green bay leaves