Avoiding Mr. Right Read Online Free PDF Page A

bunch of barely legal college girls.”
    I grab us some beers, settle on the couch, and turn on the game. We drink in silence
     for a few moments, watching the players warm up by throwing a ball around the bases.
    “Did you play last night?” I ask. Rocko is lead guitar in a local band. They’re working
     hard, playing any gig they can in the hopes of building a fan base to catapult their
     song sales.
    He nods, his eyes on the game. “Tiny hole in the wall, Fitzpatrick’s, right here in
     the Village. Great crowd.”
    “Yeah, I’ve been there before. Good energy.”
    We watch the game together, but my mind keeps wandering. I need to figure out a way
     to seduce Carla back into bed, to prove I can be the kind of lover she’s looking for.
    Does she even know what the hell she’s looking for?
    I shake my head at my silent musings, not really sure where I messed up things last
     night, but determined not to quit.
    “Dude?” Rocko asks.
    “Huh?” Damn, has he been talking to me for a while?
    “You’ve got that far off look on your face again. Is it over that chick at work you
     mentioned?”
    “Am I that obvious?” I laugh. “I saw Carla on Friday.”
    “It’s pretty easy.” He smiles. “You look all stupid-spacey and shit.” He coughs into
     his hand to pretend to hide his next word: “Pussy.” I glare at him across the couch.
     He shrugs, uncaring. “How did it go?”
    My chest tightens in frustration. “Let’s just say it was not my finest performance.”
    He laughs, his humor at my expense filling the room. “Dude, you messed up? Oh, that’s
     rich. You can charm the panties off ladies of all ages the moment your fingers tickle
     the ivories.” He gestures to the baby grand sitting in what would be my apartment’s
     dining area. “And yet in an office environment you tank?” He snorts. “That’s fucking
     pathetic.”
    I ignore him and take a swig from my beer. My silence is the male equivalent of stating
     I refuse to rise to his bait.
    “So,” Rocko says, “what do you plan to do? Gonna give up like a wuss?”
    “No,” I bite out, surprised by the vehemence in my tone. “I just need a plan. Something
     that will get her thinking about me…”
    “Remember that Tina chick I dated a couple of years ago?”
    A vague memory of him mentioning a Tina stirs in the depths of my brain. “I think
     so. What about her?”
    “She came across as rough on the outside, but was a hellcat in bed.” A satisfied smirk
     tugs the corner of his mouth. “Man, she brought out the wild in me. Really liked it
     when I came on strong.”
    “Yeah, so?”
    “She turned off every guy with her smart ass comments and sneer.” He picks at the
     label on his beer. “But under that do-not-touch exterior was one hot tamale.”
    “What happened to this hot woman? Why did you let her go?”
    “Not me, man. She moved for work.” He takes a long drink from his beer. “If a gig
     ever takes me to Baltimore, I’ll be looking her up.”
    We lapse into quiet and I wonder if Carla could be like Tina. Maybe she’d like me
     to come on strong. I watch more of the game, lost in thought.
    The mental pull from the shiny piano nags at the back of my brain. I’d like nothing
     better than to lose myself in the feel of the keys beneath my fingers and the sound
     of the notes filling the air. But this complex woman keeps drifting into my head,
     demanding my attention.
    She’s a complicated bird, Carla. Haven’t quite figured her out yet. Likes to flirt
     with everyone—which could just be a natural part of her personality and that’s made
     her a good salesperson. If I’m honest, perhaps it’s more that she’s very approachable
     and friendly instead of an outright flirt.
    I take another long drink, the cool amber liquid easing the tightness in my chest.
     On the other hand, I have witnessed her leave with a guy from the bar, so her behavior
     does go beyond flirting when she wants. One other thing I’ve