Heartsville 03 - Another Shot (J.H. Knight) Read Online Free PDF Page B

high-tech?”
    “And a pager,” Aaron added, grinning. These were the things most nineties kids could bond over.
    “I never got one of those, believe it or not. I went straight to a cell phone, skipped the whole pager thing.”
    Okay, their conversation was on par with talking about the weather, but Aaron didn’t care. It was good to hear Brad’s voice, his laugh. “You rebel.”
    “That’s me,” Brad said softly. “I was actually gonna ask if you’re free tonight? Maybe for a bite to eat or…?”
    Aaron liked the sound of the or , but he already had plans with his sister. “I wish I could, but I promised Mandy we’d do dinner tonight.” He took the phone away from his ear, hit the speaker button, pulled up his text screen, and sent Mandy a quick, desperate plea. Mind if Brad joins us tonight? He knew what her answer would be, but he thought it would be rude not to at least check first.
    “Maybe tomorrow,” Brad said.
    Aaron was staring at his phone, and before Brad even finished his sentence, Mandy’s emphatic text sprang up. OF COURSE HE CAN.
    He laughed and took the phone off speaker again. “You could join us?” It was supposed to sound like a suggestion, but it was more of a question.
    “I wouldn’t want to intrude on family time,” Brad said, sounding genuine.
    “I could show you a screen cap of the text she just sent me. She’d love for you to come along.”
    Brad’s voice sounded like a smile. “Yeah?”
    “Yeah. I’ll be free here about eight,” Aaron said, feeling like an idiot for being so excited. “We’re heading to the little pizza place, Slice. You know it?”
    “Haven’t been in yet, but I’ve seen it, yeah.”
    “See you then.”
    “Sounds good,” Brad said before ending the call.
    Aaron’s day was definitely going well.
    Mandy came outside through the kitchen—a strict no-no, so she must have bribed Simon. Or pushed past him. “You are so smitten,” she said, catching Aaron off guard.
    “It’s too early to be smitten. I’m… smitten- lite , at most.”
    She stared at him a beat and then rolled her eyes. “Let’s get out of here so you can change your clothes before dinner.”
    “I have two more hours before I can take off and my clothes are fine.”
    “Your clothes were fine for dinner out with me, but now—”
    Aaron narrowed his eyes and said, “They’re still fine.” To prove his point, he turned around. “See? My ass looks great in these jeans.”
    “Yeah, but you’ll be sitting on it for most of the night.”
    True enough. But still. “I gotta get back to work. You go… read or something.”
     
    ****
     
    Aaron left Simon and Clara to close the shop so he and Mandy would have time to walk down the block and meet Brad.
    They found him seated in a cozy booth in the back with a pitcher of beer on the table. “There’s usually a crowd here when I drive by,” Brad said as Mandy and Aaron slid into the booth across from him. “I thought I should get here a little early, but, uh….”
    There were only about four other tables occupied. “Wednesday night in Heartsville isn’t exactly booming with activity,” Aaron said with a laugh as he passed Mandy a menu. He really liked the way Brad’s eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled.
    “I already know what I want,” Mandy said.
    “Pizza?” Brad asked, arching a brow.
    “Calzone, actually.” She stuck her tongue out at him, and they both laughed. Good to know they already got along well.
    Aaron gave her a nudge and a smile before turning his attention back to Brad. “Mandy tells me you two met in her book club.”
    Brad huffed a laugh and actually blushed.
    Mandy leaned close to Aaron and said, “He only lasted two weeks.”
    “Not much of a reader?” Aaron asked, wondering how he and Mandy were still friends if that was the case.
    “I read ,” Brad said, laughing again. “But I like to enjoy the books I read.” He took a sip from his beer as Aaron poured himself a mug. “I joined