Read Just Three Words (Soho Loft Romances) for Free Online Page B

wildly uncomfortable, and he pretty much quit engaging with her altogether. It was a big deal if the two of them said hello when in the same room. So her father was an aloof asshole. It was a part of life. She certainly didn’t lose sleep over it. It wasn’t like she was the first one in history with that problem.
    “Maybe I can make it home for July Fourth. Claire will probably plan something for everyone not even remotely related to the holiday, and I can’t miss that.” Her sister had a habit of missing the point a lot.
    “She’s already talking about a sixties-themed BBQ party.”
    “Of course she is.”
    “It would make me very happy to see you on the Fourth, but I was actually hoping for sooner than that. How about your father’s birthday?”
    Hunter took a breath and tried to figure out how best to navigate this one. Her mother was always in perpetual “heal the family” mode. She couldn’t fault her for trying, but if there was one thing she knew for certain, it was that she and her father were never going to be okay. And her presence on his birthday was a really bad idea. “I don’t think I can make it. That’s in just a few weeks.”
    “You can make it if you really wanted to. For me, Hunter. I don’t ask a lot.”
    It was true. But this was too big a request for her to wrap her mind around. “Mama, please don’t. It’s best just to leave well enough alone. Trust me, it will be a better party for him if I’m not there.”
    “Will you think about it?” The hope in her mother’s voice tugged at her.
    “I already did.”
    “Okay.” She sounded so defeated, and Hunter couldn’t help but hate herself a little bit for it.
    “I’ll see what I can do about July Fourth, though.”
    “See that you do. I’ll talk to you soon. Make sure you’re eating. Read a good book. And find someone to fall in love with.”
    Hunter smiled in recognition of the advice. The same three sentences her mother always left her with. One and two were easy enough. But three was a little lofty. She smiled internally at the pun. Love was overrated. She watched how it controlled people, dulled them in a way she wasn’t at all keen on. But for her mother’s benefit, she swallowed the opinion. “On it. As always. I’ll call soon, Mama. I promise. I love you.”
    “I love you too, Hunter.”
    They ended the call and Hunter snagged a Twizzler from her desk drawer, checking number one off her mother’s list.
    *
    Friday night at a club in Chelsea, and Sam felt a little underdressed. When Libby had informed her of their destination that night, she’d honestly been a little tentative. Outside of Showplace, the nightspot she and her own friends frequented, she didn’t get out to many clubs. Loud music and wild dancing wasn’t really her scene. She’d always been more of a coffee and quiet conversation kind of girl.
    But she was excited for tonight, as it was a celebratory occasion for her very deserving girlfriend, whom she was beyond proud of. So she could suck up the intimidation. Cut loose a little if that was the kind of evening Libby had in mind. She’d even brought her daisies and presented them to her when she’d arrived at Libby’s apartment earlier in the evening.
    Upon seeing them, Libby’s eyes had widened and she’d covered her mouth. “Samantha Ennis, you’re the sweetest, most thoughtful girlfriend ever. This makes me feel so special.” Libby’s blue eyes sparkled and Sam’s knees went all soft and weak. The reward had been a kiss that had made the purchase all the more worth it. Moments later, Libby’s best friend, Tanya, had arrived with an entourage made up of both men and women, most of whom Sam only knew peripherally. Beautiful and sophisticated, these people.
    “Samantha, you’re here!” Smooches.
    “Is this the Samantha? Libby’s mentioned you several times.” Smooches.
    “Look at you. You’re just what Libby described. Adorable.” Smooches.
    “That’s a darling dress on