Counting Stars Read Online Free PDF

be fine,” Caroline assured her. “Don’t watch any more until I get there, okay?”
    “All right, but bring your own ice cream.”
    * * *
    “This is the best part. Watch how he looks at her when they dance.”
    “You’ve pointed out half a dozen best parts already. Quit narrating the movie,” Caroline complained.
    Jane ignored her. “You can see it in Darcy’s eyes. He’s lost in her, hungering for her.” She sighed. “I wish someone would look at me like that.”
    “You don’t,” Caroline said. “Trust me.”
    “Yes. I do,” Jane insisted. She stabbed her spoon into the ice cream again as she stared at the television.
    Caroline reached for another cookie, then kicked her slippered feet up on the old trunk that served as Jane’s coffee table. “That’s the only way anyone ever looks at me—with hunger in their eyes. At three in the morning it’s Andrew howling for a bottle. Then at six thirty it’s ‘what’s for breakfast, Mom, and did I get a Twinkie in my lunch box?’ When they walk in the door after school it’s ‘I’m st-aaar-ving Mom. Got any cookies?’ Even the dog only looks at me when he wants to eat.”
    Jane elbowed Caroline. “You know what I mean.”
    “I know exactly what you mean, and let me tell you, by the time Ryan looks at me with that kind of hunger, it’s ten thirty at night, and I just want to slug him.”
    Jane rolled her eyes. “You’re real romantic.”
    “Just wait. Someday you’ll be there, and I’ll remind you.”
    Jane turned to her. “Will I be there? I mean, honestly? One more month and I’ll be thirty. I haven’t had a date in—in I don’t know how long, and I haven’t got any prospects for one either. So how am I ever going to be there —with a husband and a house full of kids?” She looked back at the movie just in time to see Elizabeth walk away. “Wake up. He loves you.” Irritated, Jane grabbed the remote and snapped the television off. She put the lid back on her ice cream and slammed it onto the table.
    “I’m sorry, Jane. I didn’t mean to—”
    “I know,” Jane muttered. “It’s okay.” She leaned her head back against the couch and closed her eyes.
    “Was this part of your rough week?” Caroline asked.
    “No—yes. I don’t know.” Jane sighed, then opened her eyes and turned to Caroline. “I ran into Jay Kendrich on the ferry this morning.”
    Caroline leaned closer. “Jay? As in restraining-order Jay?”
    “Yep.” Jane nodded. “Apparently after a few years those things aren’t good anymore.”
    “Well, are you going to get another one?”
    “No. I don’t think I’ll have to. Jay was actually pretty—agreeable.”
    “ Agreeable? ” Caroline asked, bewildered. “Jane, this is the guy who made you so nuts that you dropped out of life for a year. This is the guy who was one beat away from a stalker.”
    “I know. I know.” Jane picked at a fuzz on the arm of the sofa. “He seemed different today. People can change.”
    “Maybe.” Caroline bit her lip. “You’re not going to see him again are you? Please tell me you didn’t agree to a date or anything.”
    Jane rolled her eyes. “I’m not stupid. I was actually quite curt with him.”
    “Good,” Caroline said, relief in her voice. “You had me worried.”
    “I promised to meet him on the ferry one year from today. And if I’m still unattached, then he can take me out to lunch.”
    “So you did agree to a date!” Caroline exclaimed.
    Jane frowned at her. “Thanks for the vote of confidence.”
    “I didn’t mean it that way.” Caroline touched Jane’s arm. “It’s just that the guy is trouble. You can do better than that.”
    “Can I?” Jane looked at her.” I don’t see how, Caroline. I’m getting old. It’s getting real lonely.”
    “Come here,” Caroline put her arm around Jane and pulled her against her shoulder.
    Jane sighed as she leaned into her sister. “I know Jay was messed up, but if he’s not now—if there is even a