Laugh Like You've Never Cried (Summer Lake 5) Read Online Free PDF Page A

going to Giuseppe's, so make sure you lot don't come over there, okay?”
    Missy wrinkled her nose at him. “Wow! You? On a real date? I'm shocked and stunned.”
    He pursed his lips. “So am I, mate, but I don't know. There's just something about her.”
    “Go for it, hon. She seems really nice. I'm just surprised, I guess. She's a bit quiet and shy for you.”
    Michael had to laugh at that. “'Scuse me, critter, but no one would have picked Dan out of a line up as your ideal partner, would they?”
    The way she smiled at the mention of Dan's name made Michael envy what the two of them had. “No, they wouldn't. Just be careful is all I'm saying. She may not be what you're looking for and you've been through enough already.”
    He nodded, serious now. “I know. Thanks Miss. And besides, I've got Ethan to think about. He's the one who's been through too much.”
    “Is that all sorted out now?”
    “Almost, but I don't have to worry about it for a while. Anyway, I'm going to run home and change. I'll see you over there.”
    Missy smiled at him. “Okay, don't take too long.”
    ***
    M egan put Ollie's bowl down and stared at him. “You wait, Oliver.”
    He grinned at her. She'd swear he knew what she was mad at him for, and he wasn't in the least bit sorry. He barked twice and offered her his paw. She couldn't stay cross with him. “Go on then.” He dived nose-first into his breakfast and proceeded to chase the bowl all around the kitchen in his usual manner as he ate.
    “You are a big, hairy traitor. Do you know this, Ollie-bug?” Megan smiled as she sipped her apple juice and watched him. He lifted his head to look at her then carried on. “I was doing a good job of saying no to that man until you went and told him yes. What did you have to do that for? Now I'm supposed to have dinner with him, and I don't know what to wear, or what to say, or what to do. Maybe I should send you out with him and I'll just stay here.”
    Ollie looked up and gave a short sharp bark. Megan smiled. “One bark for no, right? So you think I should go?”
    He licked his bowl clean and came to sit in front of her. He put a paw up on her knee and barked twice. “Two for yes. Okay then, boy. I'll be brave, but don't you worry. I'm sure I won't be out long. He'll soon figure out that I'm no fun and it'll be over early. Maybe we can go for another walk when I get back.”
    Ollie cocked his head to one side and whined. The phone rang before she could ask him what he meant by that.
    “Hello?” She didn't get many phone calls, apart from Kenzie. It wasn't her. It was a local number that Megan didn't recognize.
    “Hey, Megan. It's Missy. I just wanted to see if you'd like to come down for breakfast with everyone? I'm on my way over there. I could pick you up, if you like?”
    “Oh. Hello, Missy. No, thank you. I can't. I have to get ready for work.”
    “Okay, hon. I just wanted to ask, and to let you know you're welcome to join in anytime you want. It occurred to me that you don't know many people yet. I'm here if ever you want a friend.”
    “Thank you.” Missy was nice. Maybe it would be okay to ask her?
    “Are you still there, hon?”
    Megan realized the silence had lengthened while she grappled with the idea. “Yes. I...I...I'm sorry. I...I...I.” Oh, for goodness sake! She needed to get over the stammering. She took a deep breath. “Could I ask you a question, please?”
    “Course you can! What is it?”
    “N...n...nothing. I'm sorry. It doesn't matter.”
    “I'll tell you what. What time are you at work?”
    Oh, dear. Now she'd have to admit that was just an excuse. “Not till noon.”
    “Good.”
    She was grateful that Missy didn't comment on the fact that she would be able to go for breakfast if she wanted to.
    “How about I stop by in about an hour. You can ask me about whatever it is then. My cell signal can be awful sometimes.”
    Megan smiled. The line was perfectly clear. It was her stammering that was awful.