The Back-Up Plan Read Online Free PDF

looked almost earnest, sincere. “How?”
    Jason leaned back, resting his arm against her couch. “I figure I know you better than most people and I have a pretty good idea what type of man you’d be interested in. I’ve got some single friends. I’ll set you up.”
    Kristen considered his offer, then thought about the available women she knew. “Damn. Might be tough to come up with a woman I’d willingly try to saddle with you for the rest of her life.”
    Jason laughed. “You’re on a roll tonight, sunshine. Trying to decide if I like the drunk you or not.”
    “Thought I was a cute drunk.”
    “I’m changing my mind.”
    She tugged her hair back, looking on the coffee table for one of the hair ties she always had lying around. Spotting one, she secured it in a ponytail. “Okay. I have to admit you’ve made a good point. I suspect I know exactly what kind of woman you’re looking for too, so I’m willing to give it a try if you are. Actually, I’ve already got a woman in mind.”
    Jason narrowed his eyes. “Let’s be very clear about something, Kris. I don’t want to date Georgie. That woman has made running away from the altar an art form.”
    Kristen laughed. “I wasn’t thinking of Georgie. First of all, the two of you are a complete mismatch and secondly, Nick would kill you.”
    “Yeah, poor sucker. I think he would. So it’s a deal then. We’ll find each other the perfect mate. Now all I have to do is find a guy who’s not too young, who doesn’t want kids and who’ll rock your world in bed.”
    “Skip the bed part. I’d settle for nice guy, my age, no kids.”
    “What? Fuck that. You gotta want good sex.”
    Was she the only person in the world who didn’t see sex as necessary for a successful relationship?
    “All I’m saying is I’m not basing my decision based purely on lust. That’s impractical. Just find me someone trustworthy and honest who can hold an intelligent conversation and I’ll be fine.”
    Jason looked like he wanted to argue, but he didn’t. “Fine. But my hook-up better be shit-hot between the sheets. Just sayin’.”
    “God. This is a mistake.” Even so, Kristen reached out to shake Jason’s hand to seal the deal, surprised when he didn’t release it.
    “And if we don’t succeed by your birthday in July, we simply pull out the back-up plan.”
    Her heart skipped a beat when she realized he’d remembered their silly scheme. She tugged her hand free and narrowed her eyes. “I was never serious about that.”
    Jason lifted one shoulder casually. “Maybe not, but it wasn’t just a verbal agreement made in good faith. I still have the legal document you signed saying you would go through with it. I’m afraid there’s nothing we can do now. The ink is dry.”
    Kristen rolled her eyes when it became apparent he was pulling her leg. “That wasn’t a document, it was a cocktail napkin. And I can’t believe you kept that thing.”
    Jason laughed. “I knew you’d try to renege.”
    “You can’t seriously want to marry me, J. We’d kill each other within days. It wouldn’t be pretty.”
    Jason tugged her ponytail affectionately. “You’re right. A marriage between us would be a complete disaster. Which is why I want to make sure you realize the gravity of our situation. If we fail to make good matches, we’ll be forced to settle for each other.”
    It was the same thing she’d considered at New Year’s. Knowing what awaited her if she didn’t find a suitable husband made her even more determined to try. “Then I guess it’s time to get real. By July, at least one of us needs to be in a serious relationship.”
    Jason grinned. “Agreed. Let Operation Set-up commence.”

Chapter Two
    In Rhode Island, a marriage is invalid if either party is declared to be an idiot or a lunatic.
     
    Jason stood at the door to Kristen’s office, watching her in the reflection in the window. She had her back to him as she looked out at the dark night sky. It was