Read You Can't Run From Love for Free Online Page A

night.”
    Julie suddenly looked pleased with herself. “Yes, you have, you bought me one. Do I win?”
    Jess smiled and teasingly said, “Well yes, if you want to join me in my bed tonight?”
    Julie slowly closed and opened her eyes, desperately trying to mimic a disapproving look, but failed miserably. “So those two bees are fighting over the honey pot are they?” She started chuckling. “Either take your fancy?”
    “Nah. Unfortunately.”
    “Why unfortunately?”
    “Forget it.”
    “No. Are you feeling horny and neither one is suitable?”
    “Julie!” Jess screeched as she looked around for eavesdroppers.
    “Well you haven’t been out since you returned last summer, so it wouldn’t be surprising.”
    “Good grief woman, are you keeping tabs on me? I’ll have you know, I don’t get that desperate.”
    Julie winked. “Nothing escapes me my friend.”
    They both giggled and then sat quietly. “Could I ask you something without you jumping to a conclusion?”
    Julie’s interest piqued. “Of course you can. You know you can.”
    “Umm.” Jess looked a little skeptical at the bleary gaze she was receiving. “Do you think Rachel is…you know, like me?” Jess could hear her own words slurring, never mind her friend’s.
    The eyes slowly tried to focus. “Like you…? You mean a lesbian?”
    “Yes, what else would I mean?”
    “I’m not sure. I mean in answer to the lesbian question, not what else you would mean.”
    Jess frowned. “This is getting complicated.”
    “Why?” Julie returned.
    “Why what?” Jess sniggered.
    Julie frowned. “I don’t know. I think I’ve lost the thread of this. Rachel…”
    A man interrupted. “Hello you two, it’s great to see you both.”
    They both stood and smiled enthusiastically. “Hi Charlie.”
    ***
     
    It was almost midnight and the two of them stood chatting with a small group of old school friends. Julie suddenly elbowed Jess in the ribs. She nodded toward the door. “It’s Maddie.”
    The small group looked on as the named woman was instantly welcomed by a number of people, almost all of them male.
    They heard someone hiss, “Trust her to turn up at this time. Only a grand entrance for that one.”
    Jess chuckled as she heard Susan from the group say, “Women beware. Those fools have no chance now.”
    The group laughed as Susan touched Jess’s arm. “No offense intended. I’m still holding a grudge against her for stealing my boyfriend at the age of fourteen.” The group laughed again.
    Susan had been a lifesaver in school. She had guessed Jess’s sexual orientation way before even Jess really understood the odd feelings she was having. Her older sister had attended a college for girls and had relayed a number of stories and then advice when Susan had questioned her more closely. Susan initially had approached Julie with her suspicion, who then spoke to Jess. The two of them had then been Jess’s support throughout her teenage years and beyond.
    “Oh no, here she comes and she is looking right at you, Jess,” Charlie said with a wink.
    “Hello everyone, how are you all?” Maddie swooped among them with hugs and kisses and saved Jess until the last.
    Jess held out her hand in the vain hope of keeping Maddie at bay. She had already managed to alienate her from the rest of the group. It worked. Amazing.
    “Jess, how are you? Long time no see.” She looked her up and down. “The years have been very good to you.”
    Jess inwardly groaned. “I’m fine, thank you Maddie, and you’re looking good yourself.” Instantly she cringed. Why on earth did I say that? Maddie had always been everyone’s dream, men and women alike.
    “Oh, thank you. Definitely not as good as you though.”
    Jess could see Richard, Susan’s husband, wiggling his eyebrows over Maddie’s shoulder.
    The small group had decided that Maddie had no intention of involving them in the conversation and that Jess was more than capable of taking care of herself, so