Darkman Read Online Free PDF Page A

she said. “You’ve never been a quitter. We’ve been going together since high school and you haven’t quit on me yet.”
    “These love bumps are a good incentive.” He squeezed them harder. “Going to, ah, spend the night?”
    “Do I have a choice?”
    “Not when I’ve got you in this new karate hold I just invented. Just try to escape.”
    She hadn’t. Sometime around two o’clock, when she was sleeping with her face in a cold bar of moonlight, Peyton had stroked her hair, enjoying that familiar fragrance of shampoo and perfume, and made up his mind. They weren’t getting any younger; they were both financially secure; and lately, when Julie saw a mother with her children on the street, an oddly pensive expression would pass across her face like a shadow. Peyton knew what it meant, though she might deny it.
    “Bowser’s, mister.” The cabbie wrenched down the arm of the fare meter, startling Peyton out of his memories. “Four-twenty. And just look at them dummies eating on the sidewalk. Effing effers.”
    Peyton paid him and got out, glad to be rid both of him and his effers. He spotted Julie waving at him from a table and sauntered over, feigning a casual attitude. In reality his heart had switched into a higher gear at the sight of her beneath the fringed patio umbrella. He patted his coat again. Still there, still worth more than seven hundred dollars. How about that business with being crass? Was he still?
    He nodded slightly as he walked. Call it crass if you must, but that’s one tough lady when she wants to be. The necklace was grease, pure and simple.
    Are you that afraid she’ll say no?
    Naw. Not really.
    What if she does? What then?
    What should I do? I can’t simply keel over dead on the sidewalk, and the earth is most certainly not going to open up and swallow me. How red can a face get? Will people stare?
    Aren’t you really afraid that if she does say no, your relationship will be over?
    Please God, no. Anything but that.
    Then don’t take a chance.
    Wise effing counsel, Peyton decided, and pulled out one of the white metal chairs to sit down. Julie stood up at the same moment. Peyton looked at her quizzically, then at the table, where a glass and a greasy plate sat.
    “I’m sorry,” she said, and for a terrifying moment he was sure she had been reading his mind.
    “W-what?” he managed to stammer.
    “Sorry I have to leave. I’m running late already. Big meeting popped up, and Pappas couldn’t make it. He sent me instead.” She picked up a briefcase from the cement and stuck it under one arm. “This is big, Peyton. Bigger than I’ve ever handled before.”
    He slumped in his chair. She cast him a sweet smile. “You’re such a dear,” she said, and bent to stroke his cheek. “Try the mutton hock today. Sounds like pure puke, I know, but Christ, is it good. See you tonight, right?”
    She gave him a peck on the lips, then hustled away. Peyton sat frowning, not quite ready to digest any of this. His eyes widened as it sank in. For God’s sake, he was supposed to propose today!
    He jumped up and hurried after her. She was hailing a cab, one arm waving. For her, of course, a cab appeared instantly. Peyton rushed to chase her down.
    “Julie, wait!” he called. He fumbled at the lump in his pocket as he ran, managing finally to pull it free. He held it overhead like a trophy. “Julieeee!”
    She opened the door of the cab and set her briefcase inside. Peyton rushed up and grabbed at her arm. The cabbie looked on, frowning.
    “Julie,” Peyton said, breathing hard.
    She sat down on the tattered seat. “What’s the matter?”
    “I’ve been thinking. Maybe we should . . . maybe we ought to get . . . married?”
    Her blue eyes became larger. “Marriage? Well, we could do that, I suppose. Of course, there’s our careers. I mean, I’m just starting to get used to the firm. And you know I kind of like having my own place.”
    He shook his head furiously. “We’re