Read Straight To You: A Novella (Taking Chances Series Book 1) for Free Online

knew about.” He cleared his throat and gave a forced smile. “We all agreed it was better for our mom to have a fresh start. It was good to be near our relatives. I have a few cousins there around my age.”
    “How is your mom doing now?”
    “She got remarried a few years ago. My stepdad’s a good guy. She’s much happier now. I’m thankful to God for that.”
    “Oh, it’s great she found love again.” Ashlynn held one hand up to her heart. “That’s like the perfect ending.”
    Jeremy’s blue eyes twinkled in amusement. “You are a hopeless romantic, aren’t you?”
    “Hey, not hopeless, very hopeful in fact.” She cocked her head and grinned. “I believe everyone deserves a happily ever after.”
    Their attention turned to the server who stood before them with a tray of desserts. Jeremy noticed Ashlynn’s eyes grow wide. “I think our dinner deserves a happy ending, too, don’t you?”
    “You read my mind!” She studied each plate intently, her nose wrinkled in concentration. “The problem is deciding which one.”
    “Why don’t you pick two? We can share.”
    “Really? That makes things easier. Hmm, I’m leaning towards the creme brûlée. I love the crispy glazed sugar on top. What about you? What do you prefer?”
    Truthfully, Jeremy preferred nothing more than to gaze at the angelic woman sitting across from him. The way Ashlynn’s eyes lit up in childlike delight brought a feeling of contentment to his heart. Their evening together had already been so sweet; he couldn’t imagine any dessert tasting sweeter.
    “I’m good with anything. Go ahead and choose. Whatever makes you happy will make me happy.”
    “You’re awfully accommodating for a negotiator,” she remarked. “But okay, if you insist.” She pointed to the crème brûlée and a slice of cheesecake, and waited expectantly as the server placed the desserts in front of them.
    Jeremy raised his spoon in Ashlynn’s direction. “Cheers. To old friends...”
    “And yummy desserts.” She picked up her spoon and met his across the table.
    “ And new beginnings,” Jeremy finished amid the clinking of their spoons.

FIVE
    Ashlynn rushed in the door of Adorn after her internship at the local elementary school. Thoughts of the last client she had seen that morning still occupied her mind. The seven year old had been extremely distraught over his parents’ impending divorce. According to his teacher, he had changed from a cooperative student to a terror. Destroying property. Disrupting the classroom. Ashlynn sighed as she recalled the family picture he had scribbled in black crayon.
    Zoe noticed the worry lines on Ashlynn’s forehead. “Oh no, don’t tell me. Did something bad happen with Mr. Knight in Shining Armor?”
    “Huh?” She heard a hint of protectiveness in Zoe’s voice. “Are you talking about Jeremy?” Ashlynn shook her head. “Nothing happened.”
    “Oh, good.” Zoe breathed a sigh of relief. “I was going to rearrange his pretty little face if he had hurt you.”
    Ashlynn laughed at the thought of Zoe’s five foot three frame taking on all of Jeremy’s six feet. “You might just have a chance against him if you wear your four inch stilettos. Thanks for the thought, but I was thinking about work.” She set her belongings behind the counter. “Would you believe four out of the ten kids I see have had their parents split up? I love helping them, but I hate seeing how much pain they’re going through. Why can’t everyone just live happily ever after?”
    “Hello June Cleaver. Real life is never picture perfect. People are messy and they mess up all kinds of stuff, including marriage. It just takes one wrong move to turn something good into something bad. Sorry to sound like a downer, but personal experience has taught me a lot. I never thought I’d be one to get a divorce. I’m just glad we didn’t have any kids to worry about ending up as collateral damage.”
    “I’m sorry, Zoe.” She frowned