Consumed Read Online Free PDF Page B

and dropping my cell on the bed beside me. I flop back down and pull my pillow over my face just in time to scream into it trying to release my frustration from the long overdo phone call with my mother.
    I know her intentions are good and I can't help but feel awful that I have been keeping this from her for two weeks now, but again I knew exactly how she would react. My poor dad will never hear the end of this. Sometimes I wonder how on earth he has been married to my mother for thirty years. He's such a quiet, gentle soul. The exact opposite of my mother, who is non-stop all the time and always in everyone’s business.
    I would say I take after my dad in the personality department. I have always been more of the sit back and observe type rather than getting involved with anything. Maybe that's my problem though. Isn't sitting back and just letting things happen what got me here in the first place? I have to admire my mom's ability to just call things as they are and never back down from what she believes in. Perhaps I should cut her a little slack.
    I know how extremely lucky I am to have two wonderful parents that are still madly in love after years of marriage. Growing up with no siblings, it was just me and my parents for years. Thinking back to my childhood makes me more than a little homesick. I really do need to schedule a trip to Vermont sometime soon to visit. I sit up and grab my cell, scheduling a reminder to check airline ticket prices on Monday.
    It's exhilarating to be able to just pick up and go home for a visit whenever I want. Grayson would have made the process more than a little difficult on me. I am starting to see the brighter side of my situation more and more as time passes. What at first felt like the end of my life, now feels like only the beginning.

Chapter Five
    ––––––––
    “Y ou want to go grab a bite to eat?” Sam asks, perching himself on the corner of my desk and crossing his arms in front of his chest. It's been a week since his attempt to ask me on a date and since then he has not mentioned it again. Lucky for me he can take a hint because I really like working with him and I would hate for anything to ruin that.
    “What did you have in mind?” I ask, swiveling around in my chair to face him. Lunch with Sam seems like an awesome idea. I could use his humor and playful nature as a distraction from well, life.
    “We can grab sandwiches from Jen's Deli?”
    “Sounds perfect.” I say standing up and side stepping him to grab my purse that is hanging on the side of my cubicle.
    We make our way down to the first floor through the stairwell. I haven't exercised in over two weeks and I can already tell that it's catching up with me. I need to make myself start exercising at least a couple days a week or before long I will definitely lose my figure which is one of the only things I have going for me.
    Sam jokes and pokes fun at me the two blocks to the deli and by the time we arrive I feel lighter and more at ease. He really is a great guy but for whatever reason I am not attracted to him in that way. Not to mention I know a certain tall blonde who has her eye on him.
    Jen's Deli is a small little place tucked away among odds and ends shops on a busy street. Walking inside is like entering an alternate universe. It's small and quiet with black and white tile floors and red booths lining the walls. A few round tables are scattered throughout the middle of the room and the deli counter lines the front wall. It has an old diner feel to it which is so very different from most of the establishments in Vegas. I guess that's why I love it so much. It reminds me of something you would see in Vermont, it reminds me of home.
    I make my way over to one of the booths in the far corner of the restaurant while Sam heads to the counter to order our sandwiches. We have been here enough that he knows my order by heart which is both sweet and sad at the same time. Clearly I am a predictable