Silver Linings Read Online Free PDF Page B

to hurt me like this. I blinked furiously in an effort to hold back tears.
    All at once without prior warning, all the anger drained out of me. I felt emotionally and physically exhausted. For a long moment all I could do was stare at him.
    It took me a moment to find my voice. “Now you’re purposely being cruel. I would have thought better of you,” I whispered. In the months I’d known Mark, I’d never seen him like this.
    Turning away, I returned to the house, softly closing the door behind me. Bending down, I released Rover from his leash and then, without meaning for it to happen, I crumbled to my knees and hugged my dog close. Adrenaline surged through my system. Such intense emotion needed a physical outlet, but still the shaking took me by surprise.
    Rover licked my hand as though seeking to comfort me. When I could control the trembling, I stood on wobbly legs and walked aimlessly into the kitchen. Standing at the sink, I looked out the window and breathed in deep, even breaths in an effort to calm my racing heart.
    Several minutes passed and I was just beginning to come to grips with my anger and frustration when I heard the front door open. I didn’t immediately register that it was Mark until I heard his footsteps approach me. I had no desire to continue our argument.
    “Jo Marie.”
    I ignored him.
    He stood directly behind me. I could feel him as strongly as if he’d pressed his body flush against mine.
    “Jo Marie,” he tried again.
    I refused to face him. “You can go, Mark…or Jeremy, or whatever name you prefer to be called these days. I won’t hold you to the contract for the gazebo.”
    “I’ll finish the job.”
    “No need. You’re free to go.”
    “I said I’d finish the job.”
    I didn’t think I could bear to see him again. “Frankly, I’d rather you didn’t.”
    He paused and then reminded me, “I gave you my word. Don’t worry. It won’t be long; I should be done today, tomorrow at the latest.”
    “I’m absolving you from any further obligation.” Despite my best effort to be cool and detached, my voice trembled.
    Mark cupped my shoulders and I reacted by holding myself stiff. “You can mail me a bill for your services to this point.”
    He edged closer. “I’m sorry,” he whispered, his breath warm against the back of my neck.
    Shivers scooted down my spine. “Yeah, I’m sorry, too.” I tried to sound flippant, but I wasn’t sure I succeeded.
    “The last thing in the world I’d ever want to do is hurt you.”
    If that was the case, he’d failed miserably. The hole in my stomach had doubled in size in the last thirty minutes. “I’d rather you left now.”
    “I can’t.”
    “I’ll find someone else to finish what you started,” I said. “It shouldn’t be difficult.”
    “I can’t leave you like this,” he said. His voice was so low it was nearly inaudible. “It’s going to kill me to leave you, no matter when I go.”
    “Then why are you doing this?” I demanded.
    As I expected, he didn’t answer me.
    “Is whatever it is that’s driving you away so terrible you can’t tell me?”
    Again, he had no answer for me.
    I bit into my lower lip, fearing I wasn’t going to be able to hold back the tears for much longer. It infuriated me that Mark Taylor could reduce me to this emotional level.
    Mark sighed and forced me to turn around and face him. The instant I did, he wrapped me in his arms and clung to me as if he was holding on to my very life.
    My arms remained dangling at my sides. I refused to let my guard down, refused to give him the power to hurt me any more than he already had. But the longer he held me the more difficult it became not to put my arms around him.
    “You have to know I love you,” he said.
    He released me and took one small step in retreat. I lowered my eyes, unable to look at him. Mark cupped my face, his callused hands rough against my soft skin.
    “Jo Marie,” he said, his voice strong and sure. “If you remember