The Agreement Read Online Free PDF Page A

smiled at him, feeling a bit
awkward, not certain if I was right.
    "Thank you," I said. He nodded and
just watched me as I gathered up my things and limped to my dad, who was
standing a few feet away, now engaged in a conversation with Nigel. When my dad
saw me coming, he leaned to me and offered his cheek.
    I kissed him the way I always used to when I was
a girl and still lived with him.
    "Good night Daddy," I said, pleased
that he seemed so nice.
    "Good night, sweetheart." I saw him
glance over at the door where Drake and Dave were standing. Then Drake came
over and said his own goodbyes to my father. After another round of handshaking
and back slapping, my father turned to me.
    "Do you need to use the limo service?"
    I shook my head. "I'll catch a cab."
    Drake made a face at that. "Nonsense,"
he said. "Let me drop you off. Where do you live?"
    My father rolled his eyes. "In a hovel of a
rent-controlled apartment building in Harlem," my dad said as if it was an
affront to him. Drake pursed his lips at that.
    "Don't ask," my father said. "She
could live somewhere nice, but that's my Kate. Independent to a fault."
    " Daddy ," I said, frowning. A
nice moment between us was ruined. "I have a perfectly fine
apartment." I turned to Drake. "I'm sure it's out of your way. I can
catch a cab. But thank you."
    "I insist," Drake said. "I won't
take no for an answer."
    I sighed and my father kissed me this time and
we were off. Drake opened the door and he and Dave escorted me into the
elevator. Dave offered me his arm as did Drake. I didn't want to encourage
Dave, but I also didn't want to pick Drake. Instead, I took both their
shoulders and limped inside.
    "So, Katherine," Drake said, as we
went down to the garage. "You should watch those cuts, make sure they
don't become infected. If they do, you can go to a clinic to have them
cleaned."
    "Thank you," I said. "My best
friend is a nurse, so I'll get her to check."
    "Where does she work?"
    "Harlem," I replied. "She's doing
her Master's right now and only works part-time."
    He nodded. When the elevator opened, he very
purposely took my arm to help me walk. I initially resisted, but finally gave
in when he kept hold of me. As we walked through the garage, I held onto his
shoulder to take the weight off my ankle. When we arrived at his car, a shiny
black Mercedes, I thought it seemed perfect for him, sleek and expensive. Drake
held the door for me and I got inside.
    "Where do you live?"
    I gave him directions and we drove through the
streets north and west to Harlem. Dave turned and glanced back at me from the
front seat.
    "So Kate, do you feel like going out for a
drink? I'm still up for some fun tonight."
    "I don't think so…"
    "Come on, live a little. I've been trying
to get you to go out with me for a long time. Why not tonight? Muse is
just around the corner from your place. We could have a drink and something to
eat."
    I shook my head and caught Drake's eye in the
rearview mirror. He was frowning a bit.
    "I don't think so," I said. "I
have class tomorrow early…"
    "Kate, you are just such a mean
woman," Dave said, laughing. He turned to Drake. "See what I mean?
Turned down again!"
    "Maybe you should take a strong hint ,"
Drake said, his voice low, sounding a bit impatient.
    Dave made a face and turned back to me. "No
offense meant, Kate."
    I shook my head, my cheeks heating. "No
offense taken." I forced a smile but saw Drake watching me in the
rearview.
    Still, Dave didn't give up. "One of these
days, you will have to go out with me, Kate. Live a little. Nigel told
me you've been practically a hermit for the last two years."
    "Final year of classes before I write my
thesis," I said. "I've been working hard trying to keep my grades
up."
    We drove up to my apartment and I was never so
glad to be able to get out of a car, feeling like Dave was totally ignoring
Drake's not so subtle warning to leave me be. Dave hopped out when the car
stopped and opened my door.
    Drake got out of his