Now and Again Read Online Free PDF

gorgeous. I may need to get a little more familiar with that bed tonight.
     
    ***
     
    Her heels clicked efficiently against the sidewalk, and Layla prayed silently as she walked that Emma would answer the phone. They didn’t talk as much as they used to, but tonight, she needed the reassurance of her sister’s voice.
    “Hey,” Emma said warmly. “How are you?”
    “Hi, I’m good. Are you busy?”
    “No.”
    “Okay, so I’m walking to this pub to meet up with this guy, and I’m wearing my really dark skinny jeans and that light gray sleeveless top that’s kind of low cut? You know the one?” Layla asked nervously.
    “Yeah, that looks great on you,” Emma said. “And heels, I presume?”
    “Yes. I want to look good, but not like I’m trying to get laid. What do you think?”
    “Are you trying to get laid?”
    “No,” Layla said emphatically. “I don’t miss one-night stands at all. They’re like ice cream – great in the moment but full of regret afterwards.”
    “That outfit looks great on you,” Emma said. “Who’s the guy?”
    “Oh, just this guy I met through work. I like him, but he’s hot, and I’ve sworn off of hot guys.”
    “You want a guy who’s not hot?” Emma sounded amused.
    “No, I just … I struck out every time I based things on attraction. I want someone smart and settled and secure. So I’m here, and I have to go in now.”
    “Have a good time,” Emma said. “And call me later if you want to talk.”
    “Okay. Thanks.” Layla squared her shoulders as she hung up and walked into O’Malley’s. Even at six, there was a crowd, and she saw heads turning her way. The sight of Ben’s broad back at the bar created a flutter in her chest as she approached. He wore jeans and a black t-shirt, and it reminded her that they were both here because they wanted to be, not because of their jobs. The thought gave her a jolt of nervous excitement.
    “Hi,” she said as she approached him.
    “Hey, you made it.” He turned and she took in a breath she couldn’t seem to let out. The sleeves of the t-shirt were taut over his large biceps, and the ends of a tattoo snaked out from under one sleeve. As she slid onto the stool next to him, she leaned close and picked up on the warm scent of fresh-cut wood that radiated from him.
    “I did,” she said, suddenly nervous.
    “You look beautiful.” He took a pull from a bottle of dark beer, and Layla felt herself flushing as his gaze roved over her face and down to her chest.
    “Thank you,” she said, smiling.
    “I got us a table if you want to--” He gestured across the pub at an empty booth.
    “Yes, that sounds good.” She followed him across the pub, noting the way he commanded every woman’s attention without even trying. There was something about him – mostly his size and self assurance -- that Layla found as captivating as they all did.
    She had cut back significantly on drinking this year, and Layla found she was lightheaded after just one Malibu and pineapple. Ben was asking about her high school, college and law school days, and she was loosening up quickly. Hopefully not too quickly.
    “I want to know more about you,” she said, clinking the ice in her empty glass. “You’re so mysterious.”
    “How am I mysterious?” he asked, grinning.
    “You just are. You’re all tall and hot and … mysterious. Tell me some embarrassing stories about you.”
    “First let’s talk about you thinking I’m hot.”
    Layla rolled her eyes. “I mean it, tell me something about yourself.”
    “Well, I grew up in Chicago and went into the Marine Corps after high school. Did five years, went to college, and now I’m a cop.”
    “I have so many questions,” Layla said. “Start with the Marines. You totally look like one, by the way.”
    “Really, how do Marines look?”
    “Sexy. Intense.” She covered her face with a hand, embarrassed. “I’m sorry, can you tell I don’t drink much?”
    The waitress delivered two more