Just a Kiss Read Online Free PDF

watched her retreat for a moment before turning his attention to the menu.
    “Since when does she use public bathrooms?” Beau said, frowning after her.
    It irked Riley that his brother knew her so well, but Beau and Paige had dated for months, after all. Nothing like watching the love of his life fall for his older brother. He’d joined up because he couldn’t have what he wanted most, but enlisting had only ensured he’d never get it. The irony wasn’t lost on him.
    “She’s not using the restroom,” Riley said. “She’s pretending to use the restroom while she clears a path for me just in case I need to go.” Just like she’d removed all the rugs from the main level of her house, tucked away each stray cord, and moved every item he could possibly need to waist level.
    “She’s just trying to be helpful,” Zac said.
    Riley’s jaw tightened. He didn’t want Paige’s help or her pity. He didn’t want the woman he loved looking after him as if he were an invalid. He wanted to be functional and independent. He wanted his flipping leg back.
    “Hey,” Beau said. “You’re doing great. Already getting around on those things like an old pro.”
    Yeah. He was a real pro. A month ago, he could run five miles in full battle rattle; now he had to learn to walk again like a toddler.
    He plastered a smile on his face. “All in good time, right?”
    “You’ll be back to lobstering before you know it,” Beau said.
    Riley’s eyes cut to his as he gave a mirthless laugh. “Yeah right.”
    “Well, why not?” Zac said. “Amputees do all kinds of things these days. Look at that Olympic runner.”
    Riley scowled at him. Even walking across the room on his own steam seemed like a fairy tale at this point. His future looked about as bright as a black hole.
    So much for all the “plans You have for me,” huh, God? Prosper not harm? Hope and a future?
    Right.
    “What?” Beau said. “There’s no reason you couldn’t go back to fishing.”
    What planet did his brother live on? “Yeah, with my luck I’d lose a hand in the rig. No thanks. I’d like to keep the rest of my limbs, thank you very much. I don’t really have any to spare at this point.”
    The girls returned to the table, exuberant, squishing into the other side, alleviating the growing tension.
    “Where’s Micah?” Zac asked. Eden almost always had her seven-year-old son in tow.
    “My dad took him fishing. In other words, they’ll throw their lines into the water for about fifteen minutes, then give up and go get ice cream.”
    “Smart guys,” Lucy said. “Nothing better than a big ol’ scoop of ice cream. Unless it’s two.”
    Zac nudged his wife’s shoulder, giving her a fond look. “I remember a certain someone who put a scoop right in my lap. As I recall, the incident led to a rather sweet and lengthy first kiss.”
    She smiled at him, her eyes going soft. “A girl’s gotta do what a girl’s gotta do.”
    Riley absently massaged his stump. Zac and Lucy’s history was long and twisting. They’d been engaged until she ditched him a week before their wedding. Then she turned up with amnesia months later and didn’t remember anything but being in love with Zac. Riley had missed all that while he was in the sandpit. But the two seemed to have come out of it on the other side somehow.
    The newlyweds were still looking into each other’s eyes like they were the only ones in the room.
    Beau shifted. “All right, you two, get a room.”
    Zac gave a cocky smile and made to stand. “If you insist.”
    Lucy elbowed her husband, laughing. “Stop that now.”
    Beau scowled at Eden. “How many days till our wedding?”
    “Hang in there, babe,” Eden said. “Just two more months.”
    Beau closed his eyes. “ Months . Why are we waiting so long again?”
    “So she has time to realize what a big mistake she’s making,” Zac said.
    Beau shot his brother a look as Paige returned, scooting in opposite Riley. She greeted the