Read Laugh Like You've Never Cried (Summer Lake 5) for Free Online Page B

immediate, 'you', that sprang to mind. That would no doubt undo any little progress he'd made in getting her to relax around him. “I don't know. Do you feel like pizza? We could split one if you like.”
    She smiled at him and nodded. She had one hell of a smile. She was wearing just a tiny hint of makeup, and still she was so much more beautiful than any woman he'd ever known. Blimey! Was that true? He thought about it for a moment and had to admit that it was.
    “What toppings do you like? I'll eat anything.”
    “What would you have if you were by yourself? We can have that. I'm easy.”
    Michael raised his eyebrows and bit his lip. How he wished she was! Once the immediate, obvious joke had receded though, he wasn't sure he did. If she were easy, he wouldn't be so intrigued by her. Although he'd let the joke slip by, he couldn't become someone else completely for her. He was dialing it back, but he couldn't help winking as he asked, “Do you like sausage?”
    Her eyes widened, but she smiled. “I...I...I....”
    Now he felt bad. The poor little darlin' had that stutter going again. He smiled and waited patiently. Although people generally tried to help, by supplying words when someone stammered, Michael knew that what helped most was letting them get there themselves, without pressure. He watched her take a couple of deep breaths before she tried again.
    Then she surprised the hell out of him when she winked back and said. “I haven't had any for a long time.”
    Jesus! He knew he was grinning. “Then I think we'd better change that! Sausage it is!”
    Her cheeks were flaming, but she was smiling. He was thrilled. She did have some spirit to her!
    ***
    O h good grief! She really had said it out loud. It seemed that around Michael she either struggled to speak at all, or her thoughts came spilling out of her mouth before her brain had time to filter them. He was grinning at her. She knew she was smiling back at him and instead of feeling ashamed of herself, she was quite pleased. Maybe Missy was right and even she could have fun around Michael, just for tonight.
    Their server came out, and while Michael ordered the pizza, Megan dared to take a good look at him. He was so very attractive. He was more handsome than any man she'd ever met. Even the few movie stars she liked were nothing on him. It wasn't just his looks though. It was his manner, so confident, comfortable in his own skin. Unlike her. Even as she reached for her beer, she almost knocked it over. She was so clumsy. Always had been. She gave herself a little shake. She might have come up with one little comment that made him smile, but she had to be realistic. She would enjoy this evening for what it was—her one chance to hang out with a charming, handsome man. She wasn't under any illusions that it would be anything more than that. She was bound to bore him, or mess up somehow. He'd be glad to see the back of her by the end of the evening.
    “So,” he smiled at her after the server had left. “What brought you to Summer Lake? How long have you been here?”
    Oh dear. She hadn't thought about having to tell her story. She went for the easy question first. “I've been here for three months now.”
    He nodded and waited for her to continue.
    What to say? Stick with talking about her job would be best. “I'd been applying for jobs at libraries anywhere I could. I was lucky that Summer Lake had a vacancy for a while. It seems no one else wanted to move out here.”
    Michael smiled. “Yeah, it's the kind of small town people dream about leaving, not moving to.You  didn't fancy the idea of the bright lights and big city libraries then?”
    She shook her head. “I've had enough of big cities to last me a lifetime. Summer Lake is a much better fit for me.”
    “Where are you from?”
    “I was born in Florida, but growing up we were always moving. I came here from LA.”
    “Were you a military brat then?”
    If only. That would be easier to explain.