Read Playing My Love for Free Online Page B

she's a student, and it was my fault she crashed her car because I distracted her, so we need to drive her into town in your car.  Are you okay to come out for a few hours , maybe get some dinner in the pub?"
      "Whoa, slow down a minute.  You want us to go out?  In town?"
      "Yes!  That's what I'm saying!"  I said, exasperated.
      "Who are you and what have you done with my wife?"
      "Gray, I'm serious.  This is important to her.  Have you got the energy to come out or not?"
      "For you, I always have the energy "  he said, yawning.
      "Oh, there's just one thing"  I hesitated, feeling awful at what I was about to ask.  "She, uh, she doesn't know.  About your, you know…"
      "My cancer?"
      I flinched, hating how casual he was about saying it.
      "Yes.  Can we keep it that way?  It's just nice having someone that looks at me normally and doesn't ask me if I'm alright or how I'm coping every two minutes.  Do you mind?"  My face was burning.  It felt like I was asking him to hide a dirty secret because I was ashamed of him, but he just nodded and yawned again.
      "Suppose I'd best go get changed then"  he said, standing to go to the bedroom.  Then he stopped at the doorway and turned back.  "You got chased by bulls?"
      "Go!"  I ushered him off, then plugged my mobile in before following him into the bedroom.  I had a quick tidy round as Gray changed and he watched me, amused.
      "This is a girl we're driving to town, right?  Not some hunky college dude?"
      "Yes, she's a girl.  And I can't believe you just used the words 'hunky' and 'dude'!"
      "Whatever.  So why are you so nervous?"
      "I'm not nervous!  You know how I get around new people."
      "Yes, you get quiet and shy around new people.  You are definitely nervous."
      "I'm not nervous!"  I insisted, smiling at him.  But I could tell he was unconvinced, and it was probably because I was actually nervous!
      "How do I look?"
      "Like a prince, now go.  Make a cup of tea or something.  You can't be in here when she gets out of the shower."
      Grumbling good naturedly, he went to the kitchen to make a drink while I rummaged through my clothes for something to wear.  I had just decided on a beautiful brown cashmere jumper with a pair of tight jeans when I heard a gentle knock on the door.
      "Alison?"
      "Yes, come in."
      She opened the door self-consciously, holding the towel around her and smiling dreamily.
      "Your shower is like standing at the bottom of a rainbow!"
      I laughed.
      "Funny, Gray said something similar when we first moved in.  He said it was like being bathed by angels!"
      "It really is!  Seriously, if you're ever in need o f a lodger, you let me know!"  she said, sitting on the edge of my bed.  I watched a drop of water roll from her wet hair and down her collarbone, and cleared my throat.  My nerves seemed more amplified now that she was actually in my bedroom.
      "Okay, so just rifle through the drawers and wardrobe and help yourself to whatever you want, I really don't mind.  I'm going to take a quick shower as well and I'll meet you back in the lounge.  There's perfumes on the side, and whatever you do, do not drink the tea Gray offers you!"  I said, feeling quite flustered.
      "Great!  I'll see you in a bit."
      "Great."
      I ran to the steamy bathroom and stripped off.  It wasn't until I was stood under the jets that I started to analyse.  By the time I was wrapping a towel around myself, I'd come to the conclusion that I was nervous about Darcy and Gray meeting, although I wasn't sure why.  That would require further analysis later when I had more time.  For now, I guessed it was because I felt embarrassed at having such a young friend who was still in college, or simply that they wouldn't get along.
      I tapped lightly on the bedroom door in case she was still dressing, and she called out for me to come in.
      "Wow, you look stunning!"   I said, gaping openly at