All Good Things Absolved Read Online Free PDF Page B

"Don't you look delicious?"
    "Do I?" He shifted his stance to a pose fit for vogue and I laughed. "I purchased the goods with my new salary."
    Again, I laughed. "I'm sure you did."
    "Honey," he looked down at me. "You've got one hell of a catch."
    "I know." I beamed. "Jace is amazing."
    Franco nodded obstinately. "He really is." His eyes turned dreamy for a moment and my mouth dropped. Oh, he so was not thinking about my man like that! "Anyway, what'll we be having?"
    Trisha shook her head, marveling at the ease with which he jumped from one topic to the other. And even I had to admit it truly was an exceptional talent only he possessed. He wasn't even fazed by my dropped jaw. He was just scandalous! And, as odd as it was, it was kind of why I liked him as much as I did. He was unique. He walked to his own drumbeat. That was inspiring. The world needed more people like him.
    "I'll get a tomato parmesan soup with a raspberry juice." My mouth watered as I ordered the juice.
    Trisha raised her brows at me. "I'll get a tomato soup with a coffee. Thanks Franco."
    "I'll be right back with your orders." Franco smiled and turned on the heel of a shiny black shoe. I bit my tongue and buried my laugh as I looked at Trisha.
    She smiled. "So, when did you start drinking juice?"
    I waved, "Oh, it happens every once in a while." I reached into my bag, eager to change the topic. Jace would be livid if Trisha found out I was pregnant before we had a chance to tell his mom. "I have something for you."
    "Ohh," She leaned into the table. "I love surprises."
    "I know." I grinned as I slid a little box over the table. "For you."
    Trisha's eyes widened as she stared at the box. "You're not proposing to me, are you? Because I would totally say yes and we would live life happily ever after, driving Jace insane with jealousy."
    I rolled my eyes. She could be such a comedian. "I'm not proposing. Open the box."
    "All right, all right." She lifted the lid to find a small white gold band with an infinity symbol over the top. The symbol was encrusted with mini diamonds. It caught the sun, shimmering the reflection over her face. "You are proposing!"
    "Will you be my maid of honor?" I asked, clarifying quickly the type of proposal. "You've been my best friend, my sister, my family...forever. I love you like crazy and I can't imagine anyone else I would rather have walking me through this time in my life. But the job doesn't end on October 19 th . It's a position that needs to be filled till the very end." I felt my eyes grow moist with tears as I stared at my best friend. She was already crying and nodding. But she hadn't spoken yet. "Will you?" I asked.
    She nodded. "Under one condition." Her face was serious.
    I hadn't been expecting this. "What's the condition?"
    "You need to name your first born child after me." There was no joke in her tone and I felt my mouth drop in shock. She couldn't be serious?
    "I don't know about that one," I said hesitantly and she burst out laughing.
    "You seriously considered it! Jeez Liv," she shook her head. "I don't even like my name."
    I crossed my arms over my chest at her snickering. "Seriously, Trisha." I shook my head. "You're ridiculous."
    "But I'm your maid of honor!" She yelped the last word as she slid the ring on her right hand. "Now I've got to find a man so I can get you one of these flashy things."
    "Sometimes I don't know why I love you so much." I laughed.
    "You love me because I'm awesome." Her face turned serious. "And because I love you too."
    "So, any men in your life?" I asked as Franco set our soups on the table.
    "Apart from me?" He feigned hurt.
    Trisha ignored him as she shook her head. "Apart from Trey," she shot him a look. "And Franco here, nope. No men for me."
    I waved my hand. "And these relationships you do have are platonic?"
    "Absolutely." She nodded. "Franco is so not going there." She shot him a warning look. "And Trey's been there done that. He's just a friend."
    "I don't know how you