The Laws of Attraction Read Online Free PDF Page B

challenged him on a remark like that, but Ashley was in no mood to be drawn into the kind of passionate debate that might be misinterpreted by her sisters as some sort of chemistry. Instead, she reminded them mildly, “But right now, as I have been repeatedly told, I’m on vacation.” She turned her gaze on Maggie. “By the way, I’m starved. Didn’t you say something about dinner when you invited us over here, Maggie? Or was that some bait-and-switch thing?”
    “See, there you are in lawyer mode again,” Maggie retorted. “How are we supposed to forget if you can’t?”
    Ashley could see her point. “I’m working on it,” she swore. “I really am.” But something told her it was going to be easier said than done.
    When she glanced at Josh, she caught a commiserating look in his eyes. It seemed as if he actually understood what she was going through, and that made her wonder if she’d totally misjudged him. Then again, maybe that kind of sensitivity merely went along with being nice. Neither were traits with which she had a lot of experience. Drew had been smart and savvy and sophisticated, but definitely not nice. Her male colleagues were brilliant and clever but rarely nice, and hardly ever sensitive or considerate.
    “Something tells me there’s a story behind that,” Josh said quietly, his expression thoughtful.
    “Not one we’re going to get into tonight,” Maggie said decisively. She turned to Ashley. “Since you’re so anxious to eat, Ashley, you can help me in the kitchen. Rick, get Josh a glass of wine.”
    Ashley reluctantly followed her sister into the kitchen. She knew precisely what was coming, especially since Melanie was right on her heels.
    “First day in town and you find yourself a keeper,” Maggie taunted as she handed Ashley another place setting.
    “Don’t be ridiculous,” Ashley retorted. “We don’t know anything about him.”
    Melanie beamed. “That’s why it’s so nice that you have all this time on your hands to change that.”
    “Even if I were interested—and I am definitely not saying that I am—what makes you think Josh doesn’t already have a girlfriend?”
    “Oh, please,” Maggie said. “Have you seen the way the man looks at you? It’s as if he can’t quite believe his luck.”
    “Drew used to look at me like that, too,” Ashley commented wryly.
    “No, he didn’t,” Maggie responded, her voice laced with derision. “Drew looked at you as if you were a particularly valuable possession he’d acquired along with his BMW and his Rolex.”
    Ashley couldn’t deny Maggie’s take on the past, but she rolled her eyes anyway. “Could we just get through dinner with the least amount of humiliation possible? Do not try to foist me off on Josh like some pathetic thing who needs to be entertained.”
    “I won’t have to,” Maggie said confidently. “You’ll see. Josh strikes me as the kind of man who’ll take things into his own hands if he gets the slightest bit of encouragement from you. Hasn’t he already gotten you to agree to have dinner with him?”
    “Yes, but—”
    “I rest my case,” Maggie said, her triumph plain.
    “I am not here to encourage some man I’ve barely met,” Ashley insisted.
    “I agree with Maggie. Just open yourself up to the possibilities,” Melanie pleaded. “That’s all we’re asking. Now go set a place for Josh, then sit down right next to it. Maggie and I will get dinner on the table.”
    Ashley laughed despite herself. “You two never give up, do you? Just because you landed fantastic men doesn’t mean everyone has to settle down to be happy. It’s possible to be single and totally fulfilled.”
    “Maybe,” Maggie conceded with obvious skepticism, “but you can’t blame us for wanting you to be as happy as we are. You nudged me and Rick together. Now it’s my chance to return the favor. Melanie’s, too.”
    “I don’t consider this a favor,” Ashley said, giving it one last try.
    Maggie smiled