Shira Read Online Free PDF Page A

be?” Looking out for him had nothing to do with being meant for him. Shira’s hands shook. She hated the hope that sprung up inside of her that a miracle would happen and she’d be able to stick around rather than leave. That was unrealistic. If she was going to learn to be strong again, she had to keep her head out of the clouds. She took in a deep breath and steeled herself. “I will try to cheer him up while I’m here. That’s all I can do.”
    “Thanks, girl.”
    Shira hesitated and then lowered her voice. “Can I ask you something?”
    “Sure.”
    “Is he okay to work for? I mean, he seems…I don’t know. I’ve had some bad experiences in the past with men, and I don’t want to trust my judge of character.”
    Whisper was quiet for a moment. “He’s a great guy. You don’t have to worry about Max. He’ll take care of you. He might seem rough around the edges and like he has no ambition.” She laughed at this. “But he really is brilliant. He has a, um, let’s say a wild side, but deep down, he’s a pussy cat. He’ll never hurt you.”
    “Is he suicidal?”
    “Oh, nothing like that,” Whisper assured her. “Their kind has too much pride.”
    Shira pondered what their kind meant, but didn’t ask. Whisper’s words encouraged her somewhat. “Okay, thanks. Well I should let you speak to him. Hold on.”
    Shira called Max into the kitchen for the phone and went to heating their food. She didn’t mean to listen to the phone conversation, but she couldn’t help it.
    “Any particular reason you didn’t call my cell?” he asked. Shira rolled her eyes. So his rudeness wasn’t reserved for strangers. “Oh, yeah, no one called me, so I guess I forgot to charge it.”
    Shira smothered a laugh. She could imagine Whisper putting him in his place, but she’d also heard the affection in her friend’s voice. Whisper obviously loved him like a brother. She wondered how Max felt about Whisper. For some reason a little jealousy rose. Whisper had been plumper with bigger boobs and a good size butt in school. Guys had always been exclaiming over it. Whisper would be the kind of woman he went for.
    Stop it, Shira! Damn it, it doesn’t matter what he goes for. You’re leaving. The best you can do is try to cheer him up like Whisper asked. That’s all. So suck it up!
    She finished heating their lasagna and went to set the plates on the table. With it, she’d made garlic bread and a pitcher of sweet tea. When all was in readiness, she sat down at the table to wait for Max.
    At last, he walked into the dining room to take his seat. She’d piled his plate high with food but would heat him more if he wanted it. “I hope you like it,” she said. The one thing Shira could be confident about was that she was a decent cook. Not spectacular, but no one would go hungry because of her.
    He eyed her plate. She’d made sure to put a decent amount on it so he wouldn’t complain, and he nodded. “Tastes good. Thanks.”
    The compliment was unexpected if plain in its delivery. She appreciated it all the more. Max wasn’t just flattering her. “I’m glad you like it.” She considered making conversation. One thing that seemed to help people who were feeling down was talking about what was bugging them. Not that she planned on exploring her own feelings. “So, I was cleaning up in your room, and I came across a picture.”
    Okay, great way to start a conversation, Shira. You’re an idiot.
    Max grunted.
    “The woman in the picture is beautiful. Was she your wife?”
    He gave her a hard look, which seemed to say drop it.
    “I know how hard it is when the relationship with the person you love so much doesn’t work out. It can be tough to walk away and let them go.” She drifted off feeling lame. Was he even listening? Max sat there tucking into the food with gusto. He put away the huge slice of garlic bread in a couple bites and drained half his glass of tea at a shot.
    When he set the glass down, he eyed her.