No Breaking My Heart Read Online Free PDF

Harold showed his own. On camera. To the viewing audience and all America. It was an image Alyn would never forget. Neither would the crowd. They went crazy. Oohing and awing. Whistling, cheering, and falling off their chairs, laughing.
    Embarrassed for her partner, Alyn hustled to stand behind him. She tore off her mitts and tried to zip his costume. The teeth were off track. So she clutched the sides together, covering as much of him as was possible. Still, there were gaps. Wide gaps.
    Harold twisted, looking over his shoulder. “What are you doing?”
    â€œKeeping you modest.”
    He snorted. “I lost my modesty when I was six, and swam naked in the neighborhood kiddie pool.”
    â€œThis is national television.”
    He shifted. “You’re scratching my ass.”
    As she tightened her hold on him, her fingernails left red marks.
    He pinned his gaze on The Strength-O-Meter. “The bell?”
    It had not rung. Alex Xander announced their defeat. “Seventy points, rooster. Muscle Bound, but not enough to win.”
    Harold stilled. His jaw dropped. “We lost?”
    â€œCarl and Mary beat you by ten points.”
    Harold swore beneath his breath. Berating himself.
    Alyn couldn’t find words to express her disappointment. She had wanted this win as much as she’d wanted anything in her life. Her stomach sank, and her dreams paled. Her future plans were once again put on hold.
    She’d hoped to use the prize money to establish The Shy Lily. A boutique with antique and vintage heirlooms. She had scrimped, saved, and collected items over the years, attending public auctions, estate sales, bidding on storage units. The majority of the treasures was packed in a rental facility for safekeeping. The overflow landed at her mother’s cottage, where space was minimal.
    She’d waited patiently to lease a store in the historic district. Prime real estate. Space on the second floor of a large brick building had recently become available. It was within the same block as J acy’s Java. Lots of traffic and customers. Newfound success.
    Sadly, a trusted friend had turned on her. Alyn’s potential business partner had bailed a month earlier, cleaning out their joint bank account. She had seventy-two dollars and sixty-five cents to her name. With no immediate income in sight.
    Her shop wasn’t meant to be. Her heart hurt.
    She wasn’t the only one disillusioned by the outcome. A stunned silence hung over the studio audience. The applause sign flashed over the stage, but few people clapped. Harold was a charmer. A grandstander. The spectators took Alyn and his loss as their own.
    The host motioned to Natalie to escort them offstage. The model curved her arm through the rooster’s wing, pouted her condolences. Alyn clutched the back of Harold’s costume as she shuffled behind them. The flex and ripple of his muscles tickled her fingertips. His skin was hot.
    â€œYou can go back to your seats or exit,” Natalie told them at the stairs. She patted Harold’s shoulder. “Sorry, big guy.”
    â€œI’m done here,” Harold said when the model left.
    Alyn agreed. “Me, too.” They took the steps. Defeat walked them up the side aisle.
    Alex kept the show rolling. “Who’s next?” he called to the audience. The contestants got back into the spirit of the show. They bounced and cheered to get his attention. “Fifth row, Mr. and Mrs. Potato Head, go big or go home!”
    The Potato Heads rushed passed Alyn and Harold to get to the stage. Mr. Potato Head lost an ear in his excitement. Alyn left a trail of feathers. She sneezed her way to the exit door.
    â€œYou can free my ass anytime,” Harold said once they reached the hallway. She let go of his costume, and he turned to face her. He yanked off his rounded hand mitts, balled his fists. Scowled darkly. “We fuckin’ lost. I let you down.”
    Alyn frowned. The