Second Chances Read Online Free PDF Page A

with her favorite caffeinated beverage, Diet Coke. “The early bird said you were here before he dashed off to catch the worm,” he said dryly, answering her unasked question. “Personally, I think pre-dawn protein is highly overrated.”
    Amelia laughed, nodding her agreement. “I’m with you. I need real food before I dig into my day. Do you have any Pop Tarts?”
     
    *   *   *
     
    CHAPTER THREE
    “That’s what I like about you…,” Amelia’s cell phone rang as she sat at her desk thoroughly enjoying the advance peek at Pashmina’s manuscript, furiously filling a notebook with line edits and proofing questions, and feeling more and more like a real editor by the minute. Man, she loved this job.
    “You keep me warm at night…,” her cell phone sang, pressing her to answer it.
    “Hello?”
    “Hey.” It was Tim sounding very much like a flat tire.
    Amelia’s good mood vanished leaving her suddenly nervous as she forced herself to sound normal. “Hey yourself, what’s new?”
    “Not much, except we got the Wilderness Stores account.”
    Doing a little chair dance she squealed into the phone. “Babe, that’s so awesome! That’s great! It’s fantastic! Congratulations.” Closing her eyes she mouthed a heartfelt “Thank you.” Life was good for both of them right now.
    “How about I come over tonight and cook you a special celebratory dinner? Whatever you want, steak, lobster, pasta. You name it, I’ll make it cause that’s the kind of fabulous girlfriend I am.”
    Deafening silence muffled his response.
    “Tim?”
    “Yeah, I’m here. Hey listen, I’ll have to take a rain check on dinner. There’s an agency high-five happening tonight and the whole account team needs to be there. Sorry.”
    “Of course, sure, I understand,” she said, completely underwhelmed by his enthusiasm. “Whenever you want.”
    “Okay, thanks. Listen, I’ve gotta go now. I just wanted to let you know about the account. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
    Something was wrong. She knew it. She’d felt this way with him before. Shortly after they met, she’d invited him to go with her to South Carolina and visit her mom. She knew it was a bold move so early in their relationship, but she was falling hard and fast for Tim and she needed the one person who knew her better than anybody to tell her if she was headed for a crash landing or soft ground.
    “Sounds to me like someone needs some girl time with her Mom,” he declined as they relaxed on her couch, legs entwined, Amelia’s head resting on his chest. “I’d just be in the way.”
    Unwilling to let it go, she’d tried her best to coax him. “I probably haven’t painted the best picture of my mom but trust me she’s no different from yours. She loves her kid and at the end of the day all she wants is for me to be happy and safe.” Raising her head she kissed him lightly on the lips. “She’s dying to meet the guy who makes me feel that way.”
    But no amount of sweet-talking or seduction had changed his mind. Later, on her way to South Carolina alone, as the cloud cover cleared and the plane ascended into open skies, she’d played their conversation over and over in her head. Tim was adamant he wouldn’t go but not for the reason she thought. “C’mon Amelia,” he’d huffed exasperated, threading his hands through his hair. “Do you honestly think I’m afraid to meet your mother, the woman who gave me you?”
    She’d melted of course, what girl wouldn’t? And she accepted his refusal without further explanation. But she never stopped feeling like there was more to the story.
    “Is everything alright Babe?” She wanted to know. “You sound…..off.”
    “Everything’s fine. Just great.”
    His annoyance obvious, she decided to cut him some slack and end the call. “Well, have a good time tonight. I love you and I’ll talk to you tomorrow.”
    *   *   *
    The phone stuck in his hand like glue, a silent reminder of unfinished business.