Read Right Before His Eyes for Free Online Page A

work?”
    â€œThen you’ll die lonely and bitter.”
    â€œGee, thanks.”
    â€œCome on, there are other fish in the sea and all that jazz.”
    Were there? Gil couldn’t imagine trying to catch them. All he saw was Sheila.
    â€œJust so we’re clear,” Marley added, “I’m all for you finding somebody—besides me, that is—to deal with your temper and drive for perfection. Mom and Dad, however, will most definitely feel different about your choice.”
    With a wince, Gil remembered a race last month that his mother had turned up at—along with a young, attractive friend of the family. “Yeah? Tell me something I don’t know.”
    Â 
    A T 12:05 S HEILA LOCKED the diner’s front door, then retreated to the back for a glass of whiskey.
    Leaning against the counter, she toasted the empty break room. “Drinking alone in the dark. How pathetic can you get?”
    Brooding didn’t suit her, but she had cause at the moment.
    Rue’s Give Gil Another Chance campaign had been followed up by visits from Grace, Patsy and Sophia. She was determined to put the man out of her mind, and everywhere she turned, somebody was singing his praises.
    She glared at the flowers on the table.
    Why didn’t they all understand she didn’t belong with a man like Gil? Money and social status aside, they’d never fit. He was honorable and generous, and though she was trying to be the same, her past mistakes could never be forgotten. The humiliation of him learning what she’d done was a moment she could never face.
    She doubted he’d be so hot to date her if he knew she was an ex-con.
    The distinct sound of somebody tapping their keys against the front-door glass echoed through the empty diner. Setting her tumbler down with a sigh, she headed toward the interruption. She hoped Al’s car hadn’t broken down again. With all the engine specialists in this town, you’d think he could find one that worked.
    When she was steps away from the door, she noticed the shadow of the person standing outside. Way too tall for Al.
    Gil.
    Despite her vow to snap off their relationship, and knowing she was no good for him, her traitorous heart had other ideas. It fluttered like a bird trapped in a cage.
    She unlocked the door and extended her arm to invite him inside. “It’s pretty late for coffee and pie.”
    He handed her a single red rose. “I came for you.”
    Her heart stuttered. She was supposed to resist this? Why did he have to make things so difficult? “You investing in floral shops now?”
    â€œSince you so clearly love them, I should buy a dozen.”
    â€œYeah, well, I imagine you could afford to.” Avoiding his gaze, she turned toward the back room. “I was having a whiskey,” she said as she walked away.
    Naturally, he followed. “I was going to offer to take you to a new wine bar that just opened up by the highway.”
    â€œWine is for wimps.”
    â€œYou were full of compliments about the wine last night.”
    â€œThat was then.”
    He faced her, his gaze searching her face and not seeming at all intimidated by the keep-away vibes she was throwing in his direction. “You’re in a mood.”
    â€œYeah. A bad one.” She glanced at him, holding up an empty glass. “Wanna join me?”
    â€œWhy not?” Once she’d tossed in ice and poured out a measure of whiskey, he took the glass and toasted her.
    â€œI’m already miserable. How much worse can things get?”
    As he sipped, her temper flared. He was gorgeous, popular, successful and rich. “What do you have to be miserable about?”
    â€œYou. And if you hold that rose any tighter it’s going to snap.”
    Deliberately, she set it on the counter with great care. “How could I possibly have the power to make you miserable?”
    â€œI want to be with you, and you’re