One of These Nights Read Online Free PDF Page B

consider this, then winced as he shifted uncomfortably on the couch. His little dog jumped up beside him, panting happily as she settled herself against his side. Jason stroked her absently. Rosie, he’d called her. The fluffy little flat-faced dog, who’d done a happy dance while she’d petted her, was about the last kind of creature she would have expected to find Jason living with. Snakes, raccoons, maybe even a turtle, sure. Pampered lapdog, no. And Rosie was wearing a very sweet little pink collar. With rhinestones on it.
    Zoe had no idea what to do with that, so she tried to stay focused on her anger. With Treebeard, that tended to be a good rule of thumb.
    â€œOkay,” Jason finally said. “I heavily implied it. I know.”
    She crossed her arms over her chest. “Yes. You do.”
    â€œI was kind of desperate.”
    â€œThat’s flattering.”
    He growled, sounding more like a bear than a human. “That’s not what I mean. Zoe, look. I need help.”
    She kept her tone as cool and indifferent as she could. It was hard, since she’d never seen him looking this helpless or dejected before, and the way he was scratching Rosie behind her ears in a way she obviously loved was very sweet. Still, she managed.
    â€œYou do need help. All kinds of professional help.” Zoe looked around at what would be a really great space minus the clutter and out of pure pique added, “You also need a maid service. Because
damn
.”
    His brow furrowed, and the familiarity of his glare was a weird sort of comfort. She knew where she stood if they were arguing. If they stopped doing that, then she might do something stupid, like be nice to him, and that would just lead to all kinds of trouble she didn’t need. He was the furthest thing from her type possible, a leaf-covered hermit who probably thought that wearing a clean T-shirt was “dressing up.” She liked men who were refined. Men who were cultured.
    Well, she also fantasized about big, sexy alpha males who came from other worlds and could knock down buildings and fly and fight evil, but since Jason hadn’t exhibited any superpowers except the ability to irritate her beyond all reason . . . no. Just no.
    â€œIt’s usually clean, for your information. You try housekeeping with a busted leg.”
    â€œI wouldn’t. I’d hire help.”
    He snorted and rolled his eyes. “Of course you would.”
    â€œYes, of course I would,” she shot back, letting him get to her. She always did, despite her best efforts. Something about him just got her going.
Everything
about him. “Because I have a brain in my head and don’t have a problem asking for help when I need it. Unlike other people who apparently have rocks in their heads and think they should just—”
    She forced herself to stop and took a deep breath. If they headed down this path, she’d end up storming out of here without ever discovering why Jason had decided to make her his imaginary girlfriend. Really, really imaginary.
So
imaginary. Zoe held her hands in front of her, palms out.
    â€œAll right,” she said slowly. “Let’s just back it up. Forget about the clutter. What on earth possessed you to let your mother think you and I are together? And I mean, did I hear all that right? She’ll be here in two days?” She searched his face for some clue as to what he’d been thinking, but he was as unreadable as ever. “What are you
doing
, Jason?”
    He nodded slowly and seemed to be locking his own considerable temper away. His hand moved on Rosie’s back, gentle, rhythmic, a sharp contrast to the venom that had been in his voice just a moment ago. When he locked eyes with her again, his had softened, full of a level of melancholy she wouldn’t have thought him capable of.
    â€œOkay,” he finally said. He lifted his free hand to push back the wavy brown hair that