Tangled Beauty Read Online Free PDF Page A

not looking , I told myself.
    “ Son, introduce your girlfriend,” said Jack, finishing off his cocktail. “Where are your manners?”
    Jesse, who had just taken a bite out of a piece of bread, waved his hand. “Oh, yeah- Reed, Sin, Sin, Reed.”
    “Sin?” asked Reed, a corner of his mouth twitching as our eyes met, again.
    I raised my chin. “It’s short for Sinclair.”
    “Don’t let that fool yo u,” said Jesse, with a wicked grin. “She lives up to her name.”
    I elbowed him in the ribs and he grunted.
    “So, girlfriend, huh?” remarke d Reed, lifting the bottle of wine and studying it. “I had no idea you had a woman in your life.”
    “There are many things that you don’t know about me,” said Jesse , examining his nails, again.
    Reed chuckled. “I guess so. Tell me Jesse, how long have you been hiding Sinclair from us?”
    “Actually, we’ve only been dating for a short time,” he said.
    “ Interesting,” he said, pushing the wine aside. “So, how did you two lovebirds meet?”
    “We met at Tangle ,” said Jesse. “She’s the top hair designer at their salon.”
    I turned to Jesse and rais ed my eyebrows. I was good, but far from being their “top” hair designer.
    Reed ran a hand through his sandy-brown hair and smiled. “I could use a haircut, maybe I should make an appointment.”
    Jesse pointed up to his highlights. “She just foiled me yesterday. You should consider getting a little splash of color thrown in to yours.”
    Reed’s turned to me, his eyes probing mine. “What do you think, Sin?”
    “I don’t think you should change it,” I said, wondering if his hair was as soft as it looked. “It’s a good color on you.”
    He looked back over to Jesse. “Good, because personally, I feel that if someone doesn’t like me for who I am- fuck ‘em.”
    “ Easy for you to say, Reed,” replied Jesse. “You’ve never had to prove yourself to anyone. Even now, with that stubbly mug of yours, you’re still larger than life.”
    Reed rubbed the dark shadow on his chin and smiled. “Larger than life, huh? Listen, Jesse, there’s only one person I need to prove anything to,” he replied, sitting back in his chair. “Myself.”
    “Right,” said Jesse.
    “No, it’s true. It’s the only way to live, man. Otherwise you’ll spend your entire life beating yourself up for the sake of others.”
    Jack cleared his throat. “Not to change the subject, but where is that lovely fiancé of yours, Reed?”
    A flash of irritation passed through his icy eyes. He shrugged, “Guess, she couldn’t make it.”
    “Uh oh,” smirked Jesse. “Trouble in paradise?”
    Reed’s lips thinned . “Let’s just say, little brother, which I’m sure you’ve learned, some women are predictable but most are… unpredictable.”
    “Oh,” I interrupted , suddenly feeling very defensive of my gender. “Interesting assessment of women, which one is your fiancé?”
    “ The disappointing kind, she’s far too predictable.”
    “ Too predictable, huh? How so?” I asked, unable to help myself. Another man thinking that he knew all about women. Now that was predictable.
    Reed, obviously sensing my disapproval, stared at me with amusement. “Let’s just say she’s a temperamental, spoiled little rich girl, who’s always gotten her way, and if things don’t go exactly as planned for her, she will make your world miserable.”
    “Sounds like the perfect woman,” replied Jesse. “You must have se arched far and wide for this delightful, little creature.”
    “More like collided,” said Reed.
    “ So, when is the wedding?” I asked.
    Before he could answer, Mimi stepped back into the room. “Dinner is on its way and good news- Sela made it! She’s freshening up and will be down shortly.”
    “Wonderful,” muttered Reed, grabbing the wine and filling his glass. Tapping out the very last drop in the bottle, he looked at Mimi. “We’d better keep these coming.”

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