Coming Home Read Online Free PDF Page A

I’d be alone all weekend.
    “Why not? We both need to eat anyway, right?”
    Wade grinned and stepped aside to let me out first. “After you.”
    “I was wondering where you went.” Mandy had just started down the
hall when Wade and I stepped out of my office. Mandy Carson was the
receptionist for Matt. She was petite and energetic. I often thought her small
stature was what allowed her to zip everywhere like a bee. She got nervous when
she saw us together and tucked her brown hair behind her ear. “I can leave
whenever you’re ready.”
    “I’m sorry. Rebecca and I are going to dinner.” Wade patted a
frowning Mandy on the shoulder as he ushered me by. “Have a great weekend.”
    I waited until we were out of earshot. “She could have come with us.”
I could tell by the look on Mandy’s face she had fully believed she had plans
with Wade. I felt bad that he was ditching her.
    Wade didn’t appear to feel too badly. “Maybe next time. I really
think you’re going to love this place.” He stopped and snapped his fingers. “I
really need to get something from my office first. Do you mind?”
    “Not at all.” I followed him to his office.
    “I forgot my EpiPen.” He pointed to his bracelet. “I almost have
the world record in allergies.”
    I looked at the bracelet he pointed to. I’d wanted to ask what it
was for, but didn’t know him well enough for personal questions. Now that he
pointed to it, I took the opportunity to look. It was a medical ID bracelet. It
listed two allergies: peanuts and shellfish. I looked at Wade. “Wow. Almost
held the title with two, huh?”
    Wade laughed. “I didn’t say what the record would be held in.” He
went in his drawer and pulled out one the pens. “I’m really surprised I’m not
dead yet with how many times I forget this stupid thing.” He walked me out of
his office. “It’s not really convenient to keep in my pants pocket, and I don’t
like to draw attention to it by putting it in my shirt pocket.”
    I stopped walking and held out my hand. Wade just looked at me. I
waved my fingers. “Hand it over.” He looked puzzled but put it in my hand. I
placed it in my purse and started walking. “There. Problem solved.”
    He smiled and started walking with me. “Thanks, Rebecca.”
    Dinner was fascinating. I learned everything I ever wanted to
know about Wade and more. He’s not gay and did grow up with money, but he didn’t
seem to be stuck up as he said the rest of his family is. Wade didn’t wear a
watch because he felt it was unnecessary. His smart phone held all of his
appointments and gave him reminders more than a watch ever could.
    Wade didn’t pressure me to tell him anything about my life other
than where home was, what my parents were like, and that I was an only child.
He asked where I went to school and what started me in graphic design, but never
anything too personal. I couldn’t believe we had talked until eleven.
    I tried to pay for my own dinner and wine, but Wade refused. He
told me I could get the next one. I liked how he insinuated we would be going
out again but didn’t really make it feel like a date since I would be picking
up the tab. I really liked Wade, and I was glad I agreed to come instead of
going home and spending the evening alone. I just still felt really bad about
Mandy.
    We walked back to the office since the place really was just
around the corner, and he waited until I unlocked my car. “Are you sure you’re
good to drive?”
    “Yes, Wade. I just had two glasses and that was hours ago.
Someone kept talking.” I gave him a teasing smile.
    He shrugged. “I know the waiter wasn’t very happy we didn’t leave
so another customer could sit there, but I left him a good tip, so he has
nothing to complain about.”
    I smiled and shook my head. “Thank you for tonight. It was good
to laugh.”
    “I could tell the first week was a little tense for you. Not used
to this at your old job?”
    “No.” I opened my car