Maid for Love (A Romantic Comedy) Read Online Free PDF

first.”
    Conscious that he was watching her every move, Zoe slid her fingers into one of the bowling balls and positioned herself where she could line up her approach. Just as she’d done countless times, she sent the ball hurtling down the alley but at the last minute the ball changed trajectory and hit the gutter without knocking down a single pin. Naturally.
    Michael, gentleman that she remembered him to be, didn’t say anything about her lousy aim. Instead he took his turn, and then cheered for her when her next attempt went much better. It took everything she had to focus on the game and keep her mind off of Michael. Being with him felt so natural. So good. So right. He was handsome, charming, smart, and kind. What was not to like about this man?
    “Can I buy you a beer?” he asked after the end of their frame.
    “No, thanks.” She didn’t drink beer, which he’d obviously forgotten. That was a good thing and what she wanted, even if it felt strange. But it was the proof she’d been looking for. Michael didn’t remember anything about her. Which meant she needed to say goodbye to him. Permanently. “I actually think I’m going to take off. Will you tell Josh and Kathryn I said good night?”
    “Absolutely. Let me walk you to your car.” He waited while she gathered up her bag and turned her shoes in at the counter. “Zoe, again, I want you to know I appreciate you bringing the kids here for me.”
    “I was happy to,” she said. She was grateful for the noise and chaos of the lobby as it reduced the need to make small talk to fill the awkward gaps in their conversation. She needed to go, to put some space between them. Michael may well have forgotten their past chemistry but she certainly hadn’t and it unnerved her now as much as it had then. “Listen, I can make it to the car myself. It’s not dark and there are plenty of people around.”
    He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. “I’d rather, just to make sure you’re safe.”
    She smiled her thanks. They stepped aside as a harried looking mother with three small children rushed in through the entrance.
    The woman stopped right in the middle of the doorway. Her face lit up with recognition. “Michael. Oh, my word, what a surprise seeing you here.” She looked at each of them in turn. “Together.”
    Zoe’s mind raced to place the woman’s face. The name Kendra popped into her mind. She was married to an architect at Michael’s firm, and they’d met at several of his work functions.
    “Tony didn’t tell me that you two were seeing other again.” Kendra looked between them, her smile bright. “You guys are back together, aren’t you?”
    To save her life, Zoe couldn’t think of anything to say. She didn’t dare look up at Michael. How in heaven’s name was she going to talk her way out of this?
    ***
    “Zoe, grab me a couple of wine glasses, will you?”
    “Absolutely.”
    Michael watched as Zoe crossed his dining room and went around the wet bar. Just as he thought she would, she knelt down and opened the far right cupboard as if she knew right where to find them. It was downright uncanny how she automatically knew right where they were without having to ask or look around. He averted his gaze before she caught him watching her.
    She set the wine glasses on the table and surveyed the place settings. “Everything looks great. So Kendra and Tony will be here soon, do you want to explain to me how you want to play this? I don’t want to say the wrong thing and make things more awkward for you.”
    He stared at her. How could things get more awkward than they already were? He doubted that was even possible. But if Zoe wanted to keep up the pretense that she didn’t know him, he’d play along at least until he figured out what she was up to. And she was up to something because he’d stake his last tenuous grasp on his sanity that she remembered every moment they’d spent together. What didn’t make sense was why she was