Read If the Shoe Fits for Free Online

having arrived at the cafe, she checked her purse to see how much cash she had — the cafe was notorious for being expensive — and opted for a cup of coffee and a muffin. She could jog off the muffin when she was done.
    The cafe was packed, as usual, and it was a good fifteen minutes before Eleanor was sitting down with her snack. She savored the strong brew with small sips, and allowed the muffin to melt in her mouth, rather than guzzle it down in Jake-like mouthfuls. She was debating whether she should get a second cup of coffee when she saw him. Max Bloody Charming. Walking into the cafe dressed casually in a tracksuit and running shoes. Eleanor couldn’t believe her luck; she had managed to avoid him at work for an entire week, yet here she was, on an unplanned visit to the park, and in walked the person she least wanted to see.
    Watching from the corner of her eye, Eleanor tried to sneak out the back way, but in her haste to escape didn’t see the stroller wheel that was in the middle of the aisle. That would have been bad enough, but on her nose-dive to the floor she also managed to catch her tracksuit pants on the cutlery tray, so when she landed, she landed with her bottom displayed in all its thonged glory.
    â€œMiss Gibson,” drawled that hated voice. “I see the stitches have healed nicely.”
    â€œOh, I’m dreadfully sorry!” cried the harassed owner of the protruding stroller. “It’s Toby, he
will
insist on pushing the pram back and forth. Toby! Look what you did! You naughty boy! Say “sorry” to the lady!”
    â€œWhere’s your knickers, miss?” said the boy who Eleanor assumed to be Toby.
    â€œToby Jenkins! Don’t be so rude!” said his mortified mother.
    â€œI’m not being rude. I’m wearing
my
underwear!”
    â€œOh dear, I really am sorry.”
    â€œDon’t worry, it’s no big deal,” said Eleanor quickly. “Accidents happen.”
    â€œEspecially when
you’re
around,” muttered Charming.
    â€œYou can talk,” hissed Eleanor.
    â€œI’m not the one who is always in the middle of a clothing catastrophe,” he replied pointedly.
    Eleanor glared at him as she straightened her tracksuit.
    â€œIt’s all your fault,” she muttered. “I’ve never been this clumsy in my entire life. Then
you
turned up, and all I’ve done since is flash my body parts.”
    Toby’s mother gave her a reproving look, then gathered her son and the offending stroller and left the cafe. Charming appeared to change his mind about buying anything and, much to Eleanor’s annoyance, seemed intent on joining her for a chat instead. He followed her out from the cafe and caught up with her.
    â€œDo you do this every week?” he asked with interest, falling in to step beside her.
    â€œWhat, flash my butt, or humiliate myself in front of my boss? No to the first, but yes to the second, unfortunately.”
    Charming grinned. “I meant jog around the park.”
    â€œNo, not usually. I just decided on a whim this morning. I wish I hadn’t bothered now.”
    Charming coughed uncomfortably.
    â€œAll joking aside, I didn’t realize that you’d needed stitches the other week. You should have taken more time off.”
    â€œOh no, I couldn’t do that!”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI have this new boss who thinks I’m a complete nitwit. Taking extra time off would only add to his low opinion of me. Between you and me, I think he thinks I’m an idiot.”
    â€œDoes he? I mean, do I?”
    â€œI don’t know. Do you?”
    â€œYou’re certainly the most accident-prone female I’ve ever come across,” he said. “Though that doesn’t make you an idiot. What about this boss? Do you still think he’s a ‘bastard’?”
    â€œOh God,” she blushed. “Don’t remind me about that day. I would never