Meant to Be Read Online Free PDF Page A

just called him an asshole.
    No woman had called him an asshole in at least two years. He couldn’t help but smile. Not that Joe had any desire to try his hand at another engagement, but if he did…
    Fuck.
    This night was going to require several more beers, which Joe preferred to drink alone. He’d say his good-byes, whisper an apology to Patty for being such a prick, then head across the yard to his own place.
    “Do you really have to go?” he heard Beth say as he walked through the front door.
    “The DA filed new evidence and the judge moved the hearing up a week,” Lucas said. “You know I don’t want to go, but I have to.” Lucas pulled Beth against his body. “This is why we brought two cars, remember? We knew this might happen.”
    “But we just got here and—”
    “You’ll be fine. My parents already love you like I knew they would. It’s a vacation at the beach and I’ll be back as soon as I can. Promise.”
    Beth backed up a step. “But this is
our
vacation, not just mine. Our chance to spend some time together. You’ve been working nonstop since we got engaged.”
    All valid arguments, Joe thought. What kind of man left his fiancée for his job?
    Lucas pulled Beth forward again, locking his arms around the small of her back. “We’ll have plenty of time together once this case is over. I’ll make it up to you. We’llgo to that steak house you love. I’ll make the reservations as soon as I get home.”
    A fancy meal to replace an entire vacation? Talk about getting the short end of the stick.
    “Now let me see that smile,” Lucas cajoled. “Don’t make me feel guilty about this.”
    Beth smiled, but even from his vantage point Joe could see her heart wasn’t in it. Not that he blamed her. Lucas’s priorities were clearly out of whack, and he was lucky his fiancée wasn’t stomping her foot and making demands like some women would.
    Joe knew they hadn’t spotted him yet, and disliked feeling like a creepy Peeping Tom, so he coughed as Lucas moved in for a kiss. “What’s going on?”
    The pair looked his way. “I got a call from the firm,” Lucas said. “Turns out they’ve been trying to reach me on my cell and had to get Mom’s number from my secretary. I can’t believe there’s still no cell service on this island. Is there any talk of putting in a tower?”
    “No,” Joe said. Lucas never did get the concept of being disconnected from the rest of the world. Heaven forbid he miss something.
    Lucas sighed. “A case I’ve been working is about to blow up, so I’ll be heading back first thing in the morning.” He approached Joe. “Elizabeth is going to stay here. And she’s going to have a good time, right?”
    A challenge from little brother. This was new. Joe shrugged. “She’ll be fine. Patty’ll take care of her.”
    “She’s here to get to know the whole family, not just Patty. I’d like her to still want to marry me when this visit is over, understand?”
    Joe lowered his voice. “If she changes her mind about marrying you, it won’t be because of me.” With those parting words, Joe headed for the kitchen.
    Patty and his dad were hovering near the sink and Joe knew they’d heard the conversation from the living room. All but his parting words. They stopped talking when he entered.
    “I’m going home. Burgers were great, Dad, as usual.”
    “Can’t say as much for the company.”
    Tension rolled through Joe’s shoulders. “I’ve gotten the look enough from Patty tonight, I don’t need shit from you, too. I was an ass. I apologize.” Joe dropped his empty longneck in the recycle bin. When he looked up, the two most important people in his life were staring at him as if he’d grown a new eyeball in the middle of his forehead. “What?”
    “Who are you and what have you done with Joe?” his stepmom asked. He’d have been pissed if she hadn’t said it with a smile.
    “Funny.”
    “Patty,” his dad said. “I think our boy is growing