The Back-Up Plan Read Online Free PDF Page B

late March, but winter wasn’t finished packing its punch yet as a light snow fell. He was ready for warmer weather. Staying cooped up inside made him antsy. He longed for spring and a return to weekends spent on the golf course or hiking nearby trails.
    She didn’t notice he was there, so it gave him time to study her. She’d been in a funk lately. Actually, now that he thought about it, she’d been depressed for quite a while, but it hadn’t really dawned on him until he’d driven her home from Blue Moon back in January. Until then, she just seemed like the same old Kris. Now he could see there had been subtle changes in her over the past six months or so.
    He’d been surprised when she mentioned wanting to get married. Jason had figured she was single because she preferred her life unencumbered and simple. The idea that she actually hoped to settle down blew him away. After so many years as law partners, he’d thought he had her number. He’d always pegged her as the spinster-type, though he’d sure as hell never say that to her. At least not if he planned to keep his cock intact. She’d rip him a new one if he ever confessed to viewing her as a future cat-lady, minus the pets. Kristen hated cats.
    She blew out a long breath and spun her office chair around. He stepped inside before she realized he was watching her. Time to turn the tide. “Get your coat. We’re going.”
    She frowned. “Where?”
    “Out for drinks. I’ve got a guy I want you to meet.”
    “Who?”
    Jason grinned and leaned against her desk. “Let’s just say I think this guy has husband potential.”
    “It’s late and I’m tired. I’m not going anywhere except home to soak in a hot bath.”
    “No can do. We’re meeting for drinks at the Brew Pub in half an hour.”
    Kristen looked down at her outfit. “I can’t meet somebody dressed like this.”
    Jason studied her clothing and found nothing wrong with it except that she wasn’t showing any skin. After getting a peek at her breasts in January, he found himself hoping for more glimpses. Not that he’d gotten any. Kristen kept her girls well hidden under cashmere sweaters or suit jackets. “Why not? You look fine. It’s just after-work drinks, Kris. Not an invitation to the Royal Wedding.”
    “I’m in a business suit. I don’t dress like this when I’m going out to meet someone. Besides, I don’t even know who this guy is.”
    “He’s an accountant, does my brother Eric’s taxes. Met him a few times over at Eric’s house for barbeques and stuff like that. He’s a nice guy.”
    “Jason,” she started, but he cut off her complaints.
    “He doesn’t know this is a set-up.”
    “What?”
    “I just invited him to join me and a friend for drinks. This way you can check him out without the pressure of a blind date. Pretty clever, right? If you like him, you can move on to dinner. If not, no harm, no foul. He’ll never know you rejected him.”
    Kristen opened her mouth, then closed it again. He’d impressed her. He could tell.
    Finally, she said, “That’s inspired.”
    He grinned. “Why the tone of surprise? I’ve been telling you for years I’m brilliant.”
    She rolled her eyes, but stood up. “Okay. I’m in. But I feel kind of bad. I’ve been so bogged down with work, I haven’t tried to fix you up with anybody.”
    He shrugged good-naturedly. “It’s no problem. I’ll just occupy my time with booty calls until you get your shit together.”
    “You’re a pig.” There was no venom behind her insult. She said the same thing to him on a daily basis, but he’d come to the conclusion that deep down inside, Kristen actually liked him.
    “Oink. Oink.”
    “I thought you’d forgotten about our deal.”
    He toyed with a letter opener. “I didn’t. I was waiting for you to get to get the ball rolling. When it became obvious you weren’t going to, I decided to take charge.”
    Kristen gave him a rueful look. “I’ve been busy.”
    Jason had heard