Sensual Games (Novak Springs #3) Read Online Free PDF Page B

one ever answered the main line except Alison.
    Colt shivered as a cold wind ripped through him. Late October in Seattle wasn’t the warmest time of the year. It wouldn’t get warmer anytime soon either. He scanned the area surrounding the little café he usually met Alison at. He liked it because it was quiet and out of the way. Nobody bothered him, and he appreciated the time he was able to spend with his best friend. If she didn’t show up soon, he was going to have to go looking for her. This waiting was driving him to the brink of a nervous breakdown.
    “Have you been waiting long?”
    Colt turned to find Alison standing behind him, the wind whipping her copper-gold hair around her face, the steel gray of her eyes shining with excitement.
    He pulled her into his arms, hugging her as relief flooded him. “I’m so glad you’re here.” He took a step back releasing her from his embrace.
    “Wow, if I knew you were this desperate I might have tried to get here sooner. What’s going on?”
    “I have a problem.”
    “You don’t say—I figured that much out from your constant and frantic texts.” She patted him on the shoulder. “So explain how this has to do with Emma, but first you promised lunch, and I’m starving. Let’s go inside.”
    They both entered the café and found a table. It was the type of place you could pick your own seat. Menus were on the edge of the table, but they’d come in so often they didn’t even look at them. They both knew it well and ordered from memory.
    “Hey, Colt…Alison.” Debbie, their favorite waitress, greeted them and nodded her head at them. “What can I get you two?”
    “I’m starving. I left my apartment without eating this morning.”
    Colt frowned. “What did I tell you about doing that?” He shook his head at her in disapproval. “It’s not good for you.”
    “I know and I don’t need a lecture right now. I didn’t have time okay. I won’t make a habit of it.” Alison turned to Debbie and smiled. “I want a grilled turkey and Swiss sandwich, a tossed salad with French dressing, oh, and what kind of soup do you have today?”
    “We have white bean chicken chili and broccoli cheese.”
    “Give me a cup of the chili. Can you bring it to me first?”
    “Of course,” she said as she wrote down Alison’s order. “What about you Colt?”
    “Bring me a bowl of the chili. Can you bring a bread basket to?”
    “What about drinks? You want your usual?”
    “Yes, please, but bring me a cup of coffee too. Water isn’t going to be enough today. I need a little pick me up,” Alison said.
    “All right. I’ll be right back with your chili and drinks.”
    “Okay, now that we’ve ordered and I will be fed soon, lay it on me. What has you in panic mode?” Alison asked.
    “Emma’s going to be working as the physical therapist for the Starlings.”
    “Tell me something I don’t already know.”
    He took a deep breath. Time to tell Alison what was going on. He did a small gesture, swiping his hand between them. “She thinks we’re dating.”
    Alison gasped. “What? Where would she get a fool idea like that?”
    Colt began to fidget in his seat. He twisted his hands and couldn’t look up at her as he admitted, “I may have let her believe it.”
    “Oh good lord. You moron.” She reached across the table and smacked the side of his head. “Why would you do a fool thing like that?”
    “I don’t know. I panicked.”
    “Obviously.”
    The waitress came by and set their chili and drinks in front of them. She placed the bread basket in the middle of the table and left. Colt picked up a piece of bread and unwrapped it. He dipped it in his chili and took a big bite. He really didn’t like having to explain to her what an idiot he’d been earlier with Emma.
    “She blindsided me, Ali. I didn’t expect to see her there. She was supposed to be safe at home enjoying her part in running Novak Springs.”
    “Okay, start from the beginning.”
    Colt