Just One Look (Women of Substance) Read Online Free PDF

Narena.
    “Damn, Andy. Don’t you think you’re jumping the gun a little considering you haven’t even managed to get her to go out with you yet?”
    “Regardless of what happens with her, it’s over between Caren and me.”
    “Do you have anyone else in mind besides this…what was her name again?”
    “Narena and no I don’t.”
    “What’s she like?”
    “Why?”
    “What’s she like?”
    I told him and waited for his reaction.
    “Fat and African American? Damn, Andy. When you stray you don’t play around.”
    “She’s not fat and what the hell is wrong with her being African American, you narrow– minded ass?”
    Manning’s dark eyes narrowed and he reached across the table to jab at my chest. “What the hell is wrong with you? You know damned well I’m not prejudiced but you go from dating slender blondes to lusting after a full-figured African American woman and I’m not supposed to be surprised?”
    “I don’t want to discuss her.”
    “What is it about her that makes her so irresistible? The fact that she’s black…full figured or didn’t hop into bed with you the day you met?”
    I shook my head and sat back against the seat. “Do me a favor and fuck off,” I said and lifted my glass in the air before finishing my drink.
    He arched a brow. “When do I get to meet her?”
    “You don’t.”
    “Why not?”
    “What part of she said no when I asked her out don’t you understand, Manning?”
    “Let’s face it, Andy, we’re both used to getting our way with the women of our choice so naturally when we meet one who says no, it’s a turn on. That being so, surely you’re going to ask her out again.”
    “I asked her out, she said no. I do not intend to ask her out again. Now can we talk about something else?”
    Manning gave me a long silent look before he slowly nodded and dropped the subject.
    If only dismissing thoughts of Narena Devon was as easy.
     
    Narena
     
    A week after Anderson and I met, I knew he had no intentions of asking me out again. My only good news during that time was how well my article was received. Harry gave me the green light to explore other avenues to keep my blog fresh for my readers.
    To my annoyance, Anderson’s failure to contact me made it difficult to ensure the success of my column. Since I couldn’t stop thinking about him, I needed to decide if I wanted to reach out to him in the hope that he was still interested.
    I slept on it and decided I was. After spending the day in the office, I came home and wasted hours trying to compose an email that wouldn’t make me look as if I were begging—even though that’s how I felt.
    I finally came up with a message I thought got my point across—along with a hint of humor.
    Anderson,
    When I said ask me out again I meant sometime this century! If you’re still interested, you’re going to want to ask me out before I exercise away all my substance.
    Rena.
     
     
    Anderson
     
    “You’re seeing someone else. Aren’t you?”
    Standing at Caren’s apartment door after declining her offer to spend the night with her, I knew she wanted to force a showdown. I’d spent too little time thinking about her and too much thinking about Narena Devon not to know it was time to end our relationship—before she ended up hurt.
    “This has never been an exclusive relationship, Caren, but actually, I’m not seeing anyone else.” Of course that was only because Narena hadn’t gone out with me.
    Womanlike, she pressed me. “But there’s someone you’d like to see?”
    “Yes,” I admitted.
    “Are you sleeping with her too?“
    “No.” And I won’t be sleeping with you either. “I haven’t even been out with her.”
    She moistened her lips. “Then there’s no reason we can’t continue seeing each other.”
    I shook my head. “That’s not a good idea.”
    “Why? She wants you all to herself?”
    “She’s refused to go out with me so I think it’s pretty safe to assume she doesn’t want me at