Crazy Love Read Online Free PDF Page A

to meet you.” I noticed his voice was deeper than Trip’s, as he leaned in and offered me his hand. I reciprocated, and he gently took my hand and shook it. I spotted a tiny butterfly bandage on his eyebrow, and wondered what he’d done to injure his handsome face. Trip’s brother seemed to search me, as if I was some sort of riddle and I wasn’t sure whether to feel flattered or uncomfortable. My skin felt sticky and flushed, and I realized it wasn’t just from the sultry weather. He held my hand and my gaze for a moment too long, and I felt my cheeks burn. Flustered, I pulled my eyes away from his as the smoke from Trip’s cigarette tickled my nose, reminding me of his presence. Trip exhaled through his nostrils and appeared completely unconcerned.
    “Sam’s at Harvard. He’s going to practice law. ” Trip informed me, carelessly flicking the ash of his cigarette onto the bricks at his feet.
    “Not anymore. I quit.” Sam shrugged. I noticed a petulant twinkle in his eye that made him look like a mischievous little boy. Though nothing in me approved of anyone quitting school for any reason ever, I found my lips struggle against a grin. Trip choked on his smoke and hacked a raspy cough.
    “What?” Trip exclaimed, clearly mortified. Having never seen him look anything but cool and casual, I blinked in alarm. Trip seemed positively horrified at his brother’s announcement. Sam simply appeared amused. “I thought you were just on a break.”
    “I suppose I am. A very long one.”
    “Well…Cosmo must be thrilled.” Trip managed to have the last word just as the manager of the Market Place sternly approached him. As if on cue, he stamped out his cigarette.
    “Annie’s gonna be a pharmacist. Aren’t ya, Angel?” Trip ignored the manager, who gave him the hairy eye and stomped away.
    I must have looked like I was watching a tennis match as I listened to the exchange between the Beaumont brothers. They had a dry, comedic timing, and the rhythm of their banter reminded me of an old black and white movie. I smiled, unsure which of them I should focus on. They were like a matching set of sexy salt and pepper shakers. “That’s the plan.”
    Sam’s eyebrows shot skyward, and he seemed to give me another once over. It was as if he just found out the stripper who was giving him a lap dance was a Rhodes Scholar.
    “Well, you don’t have to look so surprised!” I snapped. My tone sounded sassy, and I immediately wanted to take it back. I’ve always had a serious impulse-control problem when it to comes to my smart mouth. There are times when I can’t even speak for fear of what might slip from my lips. But I briskly shrugged off all regrets. Why the hell should this stranger’s opinion mean dick to me?
    To my surprise, Sam responded with a smile so broad I could see his inviting pink tongue. All sorts of dirty thoughts trampled the imaginary KYPO list I was preparing to compose. Sam’s eyes narrowed at me, and the smile vanished as quickly as it had appeared.
    “Sorry. It’s just…I’ve never had a pharmacist that looked like you .” His tone sounded completely earnest, and Trip snickered. Sam looked contrite in retrospect and turned red all the way to the tips of his ears.
    “Sammy-boy. Always suave with the ladies.” Trip murmured, picking up one of my framed rubbings. I noticed Sam’s eyes resting on my low neckline and crossed my arms over my chest. Surprised at his blatant admiration, I shot Trip a scandalized look. True to form, Trip did a double take at my scowl and actually had the balls to wink at me.
    “Wanna do lunch?” Trip seemed to direct the question to both of us.
    “I was thinking Vic’s sounded good,“ Sam responded nonchalantly as he slid his hands into his pockets. Trip shrugged, and I tried to hide my disappointment. Vic’s was pretty swanky, and though I had fantasized about the view, I’d never been able to justify such a splurge.
    “You two have fun with that. I have