Beautiful Abyss (California Dreamers #3) Read Online Free PDF

from the chair so Nellie can sit at the laptop. Her eyes go wide as she looks at the screen. “I realize it’s not really any of my business, but you only have one dollar in your account.”
    “I keep a buck in there so they won’t close the account.”
    She turns to face me. “Is that all the money you have?”
    I nod. “Until that check comes…”
    “We have accounts at the same bank. I’m pretty sure they require you to keep a minimum balance of at least a hundred dollars.”
    I laugh. “That’s a lot of money. If I had that much cash I wouldn’t be sitting here refreshing the screen every five seconds. I’d be taking Abby on another date. If she agrees to go out with me again…”
    Nellie glances around the condo. “Was she here?”
    “No, definitely not.”
    She frowns. “That’s unusual for you, isn’t it?”
    “Abby isn’t like that.”
    “Okay, whatever you say.”
    “I don’t just want to bang her. I actually want to spend time with her. Okay, part of me does want to bang her too, but it’s not the biggest part of me. Does that make sense?”
    “It actually does, which is scary.”
    She turns back to the computer and starts typing. I try to figure out what she’s doing but she’s a little too fast for me.
    When she turns back towards me she says, “You now have a hundred and fifty dollars in your account. A gift from me until you get your paycheck.”
    “You didn’t have to do that,” I tell her. “I wasn’t looking for a handout.”
    “I know. This way they won’t close your account, and you’ll have a little extra to take Abby out again. But only if I get to meet her.”
    “I’m not making any guarantees. She lives with her aunt and uncle and I guess they’re really strict.”
    Nellie frowns. “Please tell me you’re not dating a minor. She is legal, isn’t she?”
    “She’s nineteen. A little young, but completely legal.”
    “Good.” She points to the laptop. “The bank will send you a notification when the deposit is made. It’s all set up.”
    “Thanks,” I tell her.
    When she rises from the chair, I give her a hug.
    For the first time since we met I don’t think about getting her into my bed. Hugging her is more like hugging a friend, or a sister if I had one. If Roscoe is like a brother, then Nellie would be like a sister, wouldn’t she?
    “I think I’m going to buy Abby a card.”
    Nellie nods. “That’s a good idea. Get something friendly and fun. Just don’t go too mushy too soon.”
    I raise an eyebrow. “So an I love you card would be a bad move?”
    Nellie laughs even though I wasn’t completely joking. “Love at first sight only happens in romance novels and movies. You don’t want to freak her out.”
    “I may have done that already,” I admit. “I’ve been with a lot of women, but I actually don’t have a lot of experience with dating.”
    Nellie shrugs. “You’ve come to the wrong place for advice about dating. Just be yourself. You can be a really sweet guy when you want to be.”
    “I’m a sweet guy all the time,” I protest.
    “Whatever you say, Mr. Sparkling Vitamin Water.”
    “My sparkling vitamin water days are behind me.”
    Even though she nods I get the feeling that Nellie doesn’t quite believe me. Not that I blame her. She’s seen me in action, and she knows I’ve been with a lot of girls.
    “I’ve turned into a new leaf,” I tell her proudly.
    That makes her smile. “Turned over. You’ve turned over a new leaf.”
    “That too,” I say to save face.
    Nellie knows I’m no Shakesbard . Or is it The Bard ? Shakes-pear? Anyway she knows I’m not great with words and she still likes me anyway.
    Hopefully Abby will feel the same way.
    ***
    I spend so much time at the gift shop looking at cards I don’t even realize how late it is until it starts to get dark.
    That’s when my cellphone buzzes.
    It’s Penny.
    Shit! I got so wrapped up in Abby I completely forgot I was supposed to be at her place at