Magnetic Read Online Free PDF Page A

seat.
    Molly slapped Jenny on the arm. “Get it together. We need to think.”
    “There’s nothing to think about. When this plane lands, I’m running the opposite direction.”
    “Layne, don’t do that. We want you with us. Ronnie and Stacy will probably be doing…their own thing.” Molly raised her hand and let it fall into her lap. “You know, we won’t see them much at all.”
    Jenny sat up straight and wiped at her tear-streaked face. She leaned over Layne and looked at where Ronnie and Stacy were sitting. “I wonder if Stacy is telling Ronnie.”
    Layne felt the muscles in her butt cheeks tighten. “This is going to cause nothing but tension and drama.”
    Jenny shook her head. “Ronnie’s all laid up on Stacy’s shoulder. I think if Stacy had said anything, we’d know it.”
    Layne pinched the bridge of her nose. “The one time I do something impulsive, it bites me in the ass. I cannot believe this is happening.”
    “Don’t let it ruin your trip. It was a one-time thing, and Ronnie didn’t know her then. It’s not like you cheated or anything.” Molly waved her hand nonchalantly. “Look, our social circles are small. We’ve known people that dated the girlfriends of others. This isn’t that big of a deal. It’s not like you have feelings for Stacy. Just put it in the back of your mind. Stacy didn’t let on like she knew you, so she’s probably doing the same.”
    “Chloe?” Jenny said with a chuckle. “You told her your name was Chloe?”
    “I didn’t want it to get back to our clients that I’d slept with someone at a work function. I didn’t know who she knew,” Layne said between clenched teeth.
    “Layne, please.” Molly reached over Jenny and clutched Layne’s arm. “Please, don’t leave us. I hate to sound selfish, but I was really looking forward to this trip, and you said you were, too. If you leave, we’re going to have to tell Ronnie why, and that’s just going to be…bad. Will you try to just put this behind you?”
    Layne laid her head back against the seat. “It’s not so bad,” she began to chant. “I was someone else that night, and that woman no longer exists.”
    “That’s right, keep telling yourself that, Chloe.” Jenny chuckled and sucked in a deep breath when Layne glared at her red-faced. “Molly’s right. We’ll barely see them. We’ll make sure of that.”
    Layne nodded. “Fine.”
    A few moments of silence passed, and Jenny looked at Layne. “Do you have regrets now?” She winced when Molly popped her on the leg.
    “Shut the hell up,” Layne said as she fished her iPod from her carryon. Alana was the last person who used it. Alana Mayeaux , Stacy’s cousin. Layne knew she’d never live this down. She snatched the Braves cap off of Jenny’s head and put it on, pulling it down low over her eyes. “You lost the bet. The cap is mine, tool.”
    *******
    When they disembarked from the plane and waited at baggage claim, Layne kept her distance. She watched as Ronnie wiped an errant lock of dark hair from Stacy’s face as they stood together at the luggage carousel. Ronnie looked happy, enamored, so out of character, and Layne felt guilty, even though technically she’d done nothing wrong.
    Stacy was as good-looking as she remembered. The muscles in her thighs flexed as she bent to retrieve one of Ronnie’s bags. Layne shook her head as she remembered what it felt like to straddle those toned legs, the way it felt to run her hands over Stacy’s taut abdomen. The memories of that night were forced to the forefront of her mind whenever she looked at Stacy. Layne looked away, internally cursing her rotten luck.
    As they stepped outside to meet the van awaiting them, Layne continued to watch as Ronnie and Stacy walked side by side. They made a striking couple. Both were tall and well-toned, dressed similarly in running shorts and T-shirts. The two of them were dark-haired, but Ronnie’s was shorter and straight, and Layne had seen them