Read Perfect for the Beach for Free Online Page B

and inexcusable social hazard.
    He hadn’t promised to call, but he had said they’d talk. Later. Whatever that might mean. She pinned all her hopes on it because if he called, then she could explain.
    With nothing left to do, Nora dragged herself into the shower. She still felt weak in the knees, and places she’d barely paid attention to before were now achy.
    By eleven o’clock that night, she gave up staring at a silent phone and tried to sleep, but she couldn’t put Cary from her mind. She missed him already. She wanted him again. It was almost dawn before she got any rest.
    The weekend continued in a heat wave, frazzling her nerves, making her listless. Liza called and wanted to go shopping, but Nora turned her down. She was afraid to leave for fear she’d miss his call. Like a lovesick teenager, she carried the phone with her everywhere, out to the pool, while doing yard work. By Sunday morning, when Cary still hadn’t called, she got angry.
    How did a man make love to a woman and then just walk away? But she knew it happened all the time, which was one of the reasons she’d avoided affairs. Sex was just sex and these days didn’t necessarily imply more.
    But this time … She covered her face with her hands. He’d asked her to marry him and she’d shot him down. What if that was the only reason he didn’t call?
    When the phone rang, her heart almost stopped. She stood there through four rings, immobilized by hope before ungluing her feet and racing to snatch it up.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey, it’s Liza. I’m bored. If you don’t want to shop, let’s do lunch.”
    Disappointment staggered Nora. “Oh, it’s you.”
    Feigning insult, Liza said, “Gee thanks.”
    Nora thumped her hand against her forehead. Now she was insulting her friend, too! “I’m sorry. I really am. And yeah, sure, lunch sounds great.” She desperately needed a distraction.
    “So much enthusiasm.” Liza laughed. “I have a better idea. Why don’t you tell me who you were hoping to hear from?”
    Why not? Maybe Liza could give her some advice. “A hound dog.”
    “Do tell! A sexy, doctor-type hound dog? Catch me up on what I’ve missed.”
    Nora strode to the couch, collapsed onto it, and in practically one breath rattled off her tale of woe.
    To her surprise, Liza cackled like a crazed hen.
    Bemused by that reaction, Nora explained, “It’s really not a humorous story.”
    “Oh, honey, of course it is. Women don’t wait around for men to call anymore. They pick up a phone and do the deed themselves.”
    The mere thought had Nora wincing. “Oh no. I couldn’t.”
    “Not even to apologize—which you owe him, by the way? If he doesn’t want to hear it, or it seems he doesn’t care, then you have your answer. It’s better than stewing, isn’t it?”
    Stewing and moping and wallowing in her misery … “I suppose.” And then, reluctantly, “Maybe after you and I finish lunch—”
    “No way. Forget that. I say call him now. Or better yet, just drop in on him. And don’t say you can’t, because he dropped in on you, right? Turnabout is fair play.”
    Nora sank lower on the couch. “You really think it’d be all right to do that?”
    “I’m betting he’ll be thrilled to see you. But hey, nothing ventured, nothing gained.”
    Nora wished she had Liza’s confidence. She drew a long breath for courage, and said, “All right, I’ll do it.”
    “That’a girl. And one more thing.”
    “Yes?”
    “You damn sure better call me later tonight and tell me all the nitty-gritty details!”
    “I promise.” For the first time since she’d misspoken to Cary, Nora was smiling. She glanced at the clock. It was nearing noon and she hadn’t bothered to do more than dress, but now she felt like a woman with a mission. She headed to the bathroom for a cool shower, a touch of makeup, and a dab of perfume.
    Within half an hour, she’d donned one of her prettiest sundresses, had her hair and makeup just right, and was on