Read Jilted in January for Free Online

Grant hated to admit this, but as much as he believed he could turn things around financially for the catering hall, he didn’t want to disappoint his friends.
    Through the phone, Owen DeWitt sighed. “I don’t think anybody’s going to care where we have it. All that really matters is , James will be back. Two years in the Middle East is a damn long time. He won’t care if we have his welcome home party in my garage as long as he gets to see everyone.”
    “So it’s definite , his tour will be up at the end of November?” Grant hadn’t seen his college roommate in more than five years, and his phone calls and letters home had gotten fewer and farther between since his assignment to a war zone. After a year of academics, James had joined the army, and he’d been all over the world in the last few years, culminating in a stint in Iraq. Having him finally home would be great, even if it was still almost a year away.
    “Well, you know the army, but supposedly he has it in writing. I figure we’ve got plenty of time to put together something awesome.”
    “Do me a favor, you see his parents once in a while, right? Ask them what they’d like to do, and I’ll pencil it in any day they want. If the place ends up getting sold, I’ll find a new place to hold the party.”
    A soft knock on Grant’s office door interrupted him. “Hold on, come in!”
    Harper entered, looking adorable in a baggy sweatshirt, her hair in a girlish ponytail. Grant broke into a wide grin. “I’ve got to go, Owen. Someone’s here. Call me with a date , and we’ll make it work.”
    “Will do, man. Thanks.” Owen hung up , and Grant rose from his desk, still grinning.
    “You look happy,” Harper said. “You have a date?” She winked.
    Grant laughed. “I wish. No, that was my friend Owen. He just told me our friend James is coming home from the army at the end of the year. We want to plan a welcome home party. I know it’s early yet, but he’s been gone a long time. We miss him.”
    “That’s awesome. He’s lucky to have a couple of friends like you.”
    “We’re lucky. James is a great guy.” Grant fished his keys out of his pocket. “I guess you’re here for your samples.”
    Harper sighed as she followed him out of the office and down the darkened hall toward the ball room. “I’m going to take them to the hospital. If the y don’t need them for the lobby, Audrey can find patients who need some cheering up.”
    “She works at the hospital?”
    “She’s a nurse.”
    “What do you do? I mean, besides flowers.”
    “I work in the exciting field of payroll in an accounting firm.”
    “You don’t sound all at excited about it.” Grant moved to open the ballroom door, but a sound caught his attention. He couldn’t quite place it.
    “It’s fine. The company is nice, and I like my boss, but…you know. It’s paperwork all day. I like to get out now and—”
    “Shhh.” Grant held up a hand. The sound was definitely out of place. It seemed to echo in the hallway , and he couldn’t figure out where it was coming from.
    “ Huh?”
    “I’m sorry, I hear something. Do you hear that?”
    She tilted her head and listened too. After a moment, she shrugged. “What am I supposed to be hearing?”
    Grant turned in a circle. “It sounds like water running, but I’m the only one here this morning. Nothing should be on.”
    “The kitchen? Maybe someone left a sink on?” She met his gaze for a second, then he turned to head for the kitchen, her samples forgotten.
    “Come on.” The sound got louder as the y approached the kitchen, and by now Grant had a sinking feeling. Something wasn’t right. He hit the lights to illuminate TF’s gleaming stainless steel kitchen. A quick check of all the sinks turned up nothing, but the sound of running water was definitely louder. It led him to the basement access door. “Uh-oh.”
    Harper was right behind him. “ Sounds like a leak.”
    He groaned. “Worse. It sounds like a