Spooning Daisy Read Online Free PDF Page A

smiled.
    “I thought that was you.” The blonde hugged him. “The lighting’s so dim I wasn’t sure. You look great.”
    “Ditto.” Her sassy perfume enveloped him, triggering memories. “How long has it been?”
    “A year.”
    Max frowned. “Are you sure?”
    “Time flies.”
    “Still with Alaska Airlines?”
    “Of course. How’s the lodge?”
    “Booked through fall.”
    “I’ve got happy memories of that place.”
    “We can always make more.”
    “I should come back,” she teased. “Just to get a proper good-bye.”
    He quirked his head at her.
    “You kissed me, got out of bed, and said I’ll miss you . Meat Loaf was playing in the background. ‘Two Out of Three.’ That’s the last I saw of you.”
    “I had a fishing charter and you were going back to Seattle.” Not that he precisely remembered—was she kidding about Meat Loaf?—but that was his typical no-frills good-bye.
    “One of these days, Max—” Tina smiled. “What are you doing in Seattle—alone on a Saturday night?”
    “Visiting my parents and buying a new truck. I’m meeting someone for dinner, but they’re late. Sit down, I’ll buy you a drink.”
    “I’d love to, believe me, but I’m here with my fiancé. We’re going to the Mariners’ game—”
    “ Fiancé? ”
    Tina turned toward the dining room and fluttered fingers at an expensively dressed man who, even in the flattering light, looked much too reserved for the adventurous pilot Max remembered. Even his smile was cautious. Or was it hostile?
    “Wow,” Max said, catching the blinding glint off her left hand. “That’s some rock.”
    “Three carats,” she gushed. “But, look, if you’re in town for a few days, call me. I’m not in the cockpit until Tuesday. Do you still have my cell number?”
    “Yep.”
    She hesitated, then her voice became wistful. “I never stopped thinking about you, Max.”
    “You should have called.”
    “You live in the present. I want a future.”
    Max thought he should say something, but what? Surely Tina was joking; she hadn’t actually considered him husband material, had she?
    “It really is good seeing you.” She leaned forward as if she might kiss him, stopping short. “Call me.” Then she turned and navigated her way through the dining room, rejoining her fiancé, who—it seemed to Max—had a bull’s-eye on him.
    Max swiveled back toward the bar. That was interesting . But he didn’t dwell. He hoped Tina would be happy with her three-carat man. Then he patted himself on the back for being a guy who never bore grudges or regrets, and always wished the best for an ex.
    He checked his watch. Why were women always late? And it did seem to be a female thing. Just as waiting seemed to be a male thing. He drank his beer down to the foam. One more Amber, then he would reclaim his night.
    “Sorry I’m late,” Daisy said breathlessly. She laid her purse on the bar and slid onto the stool beside Max. “Traffic was a bear because of the game tonight. Anyway, you probably thought I was a no-show.”
    “Actually, the thought never entered my mind.” Max discreetly gave Daisy the once-over as she ordered from the bartender, telling him exactly how to make her Midori and rum concoction.
    Daisy did have a sweet Irish face, Max realized before checking out her auburn spirals, gleaming like the cherries in the pie slice his mother had set in front of him that afternoon. Her curls grazed slender shoulders draped in a green sweater, and it just got better from there. Who would’ve guessed that wrapped inside that garage-sale cocoon was a butterfly?
    Drink in hand, Daisy turned back to Max, a glint in her kryptonite eyes matching the edge in her voice. “That sure of yourself, are you?”
    Yes , Max thought, but said, “You don’t seem like the type to leave a guy hanging.”
    “Actually, the thought entered my mind. About a dozen times.”
    “Still worried about that serial killer thing?”
    “A girl can’t be too