The Bachelor Read Online Free PDF Page B

big hair?”
    “That was her,” Rick said.
    “I don’t remember her being interested in more than hairstyles and makeup,” he recalled. And even if her hair had calmed down,
     he didn’t remember anything they had in common. “I need intelligent conversation,” Roman said. “Can she hold up her end, or
     is she still into the superficial?”
    Chase groaned. “Roman’s right. There is a reason she’s still single in a town that pairs up right after graduation.”
    Roman grabbed the cold, damp glass. “I’ve got to get this right the first time.” He leaned his head backward, feeling the
     blood rush to his temples, before he lifted his head and met his brother’s gaze. “I need to pick someone Mom will like too.
     She wants a grandchild for emotional reasons, but she also wants to feel a part of things again. I mean, the people in this
     town were good to her after Dad died, but let’s face it, she became the widow no one knew what to do with.”
    “She epitomized every wife’s greatest fear,” Chase added.
    “Speaking of Mom … I just want to make sure you two remember the deal. Either of you blow the whistle on this plan and snitch
     to Mom, and I’m on the first plane out of here, leaving you two to hold the bag. You got it?”
    Rick let out a low growl. “You sure know how to take all the fun out of winning the coin toss.”
    Roman never let his glare waver until Rick finally conceded. “Yeah, yeah. My lips are sealed.”
    Chase shrugged. “Mine too, but you do realize she’s going to be forcing women down all three of our throats until Roman unveils
     the bride.”
    “That’s the price you pay for being single,” Roman reminded them.
    “Then we’d better get serious before Mom’s up and around town again. Marianne Diamond?” Chase asked.
    “Engaged to Fred Aames,” Rick said.
    “The fat kid everyone made fun of.” Fat Freddy, Roman remembered now.
    “Except you. You beat up Luther Hampton for stealing his lunch. I was too proud of you to give a shit that you’d gotten suspended,”
     Chase recalled.
    “So what’s Fred up to now?” Roman asked.
    “Well, he’s not Fat Freddy anymore, that’s for sure,” Chase said.
    “Well, good for him. Overweight’s unhealthy.”
    “He followed in his old man’s footsteps. He’s got his own plumbing business. Everyone in town likes him and you started the
     trend.” Rick sucked down the last of his soda with a loud slurp.
    Roman shrugged. “I can’t believe you two remembered that.”
    “There’s other things I remember too,” Chase said, a combination of humor and seriousness in his big-brotherly gaze.
    “Dinner, boys.” Izzy had arrived with their meals. The mouthwatering aromas of Norman’s burger and fries reminded Roman his
     stomach was empty. He snagged a fry before she’d had a chance to put the plate in front of him and popped it into his mouth.
     “My compliments to the chef. His staple items are the best.”
    “Enough with the fancy words. Just make sure you finish what’s on your plate. That’s the only compliment Norman needs.” She
     said she’d be back with refills on the drinks, and disappeared once more.
    “Now, where were we?” Chase asked.
    Roman took a bite of his burger without waiting for Chase to finish with the ketchup. He chewed and swallowed.
    “Discussing women.” Rick dove right in to the topic at hand.
    “But looks like you’re in for another reunion first,” Chase said before any of them could offer another candidate.
    Roman turned in his seat and saw a woman walking down the aisle of the restaurant, a vision in a tangerine-colored skirt and
     low-necked tank, with lustrous black hair falling past her shoulders.
    A rush of familiarity hit him in the gut at the same time Rick leaned close and whispered in his ear.
    “Charlotte Bronson.”
    The moment Roman focused on her face, he knew Rick was right. The warmth spreading through him made sense now, he thought,
     studying her. Her body