Catch My Fall Read Online Free PDF Page A

just so damn cute. Then the dreaded moment came – the one I’d found myself desperate to dodge in conversations like this for the past five or so months. There’s a reason why I don’t leave the house.
    “So what are you up to?” She asked.
    I fumbled for an appropriate response. Oh, you know – living at home, vegging on Soap Operas and Cheetos, buying my coffee and cannolis with Mom’s money or letting my best friend buy me lunch when he isn’t holed up in his parent’s basement.
    “Well, I got laid off a few months ago, so I’ve been in between things.”
    “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. You home with mom these days?”
    That bitch. “I am, actually. Yeah.”
    She nodded. “Nothing wrong with that. It’s been happening to a lot of people, recently. Damn economy, you know?”
    “Don’t I?”
    She smiled again, a pleasant redirection prepared. In the split second that I realized she wasn’t going to press further, I fell madly in love with her and decided she needed to be my new best friend.
    “So, is there a lucky man in your life?”
    I wanted to cut her face. “No. Just me for now.”
    She puckered her lips in an exaggerated frown. It was so fucking cute I wanted to punch her.
    “Well, are you still in touch with Stellan Ødegård? Oh, or Evan! Weren’t you friends with him?”
    Evan Lambert. The lady had a damn good memory.
    Evan Lambert was the third member of Stellan and my trifecta. He was the only son of one of the wealthiest families in Concord, and we’d spent much of high school together. Last I heard from him was three months after he went live with his website, made more money than God, and became a local celebrity.
    He wasn’t just a local celebrity anymore. Being a billionaire will do that to you.
    “I am, actually. Not Evan, but Stell, yes.”
    Where are you going with this, you demonic sprite?
    “He’s a handsome guy. And as I recall, he’s always loved you.”
    “Yeah, not like that though. Besides, I can’t imagine myself the den mother of giant, mulleted Swedes.”
    She laughed, and somewhere a fairy was born. “Doesn’t sound so bad. I could totally see you as Mrs. Faye Ødegård? Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
    “You know what? It does. I’m going to call him now and demand a ring, now that you mention it.”
    She laughed and wished me well, heading back to the Visitor’s Center. I turned back toward the bridge and Monument Street, silently promising myself that I would become an insane hermit and never leave the house again.
    I was halfway back down Monument Street when my phone buzzed in my pocket. It startled me. The most likely culprit had left my company to go ‘plow through’ some last minute work. I pulled out my phone.
    I miss you, baby.
    My stomach turned. Three weeks, two days – nothing. Now, on the first day I’m even capable of leaving the house…
    I’m pretty sure Cole Blanchard has asshole clairvoyance.
    I stood there on the side of the road staring at my phone as cars whizzed past on their leaf peeping day drives. I wasn’t ok. Any feeling of relief or joy I had while spending the afternoon with Stellan, or walking through town was gone. It wasn’t just fucking gone; it was like it never was. I swallowed and started to walk, watching the ground just inches in front of my feet, oblivious to the oncoming cars. I got home, clenching my hand around my phone, half ready to throw it.
    “You all right, honey?”
    I startled. “What are you doing home?”
    My mom shuffled in from the kitchen and watched me. She was wearing one of her trademark flowing dresses of every color. I didn’t know why she was home, but at that moment I’d never been more grateful for her presence. Still, I wasn’t going to tell her what was wrong.
    “Just not having a great day.”
    “Did you see Stellan?”
    I nodded and quickly ended the conversation by turning on the TV.
    Despite my better judgment, I texted Meghan and told her of the new contact.
    You are