The Rules According to Gracie Read Online Free PDF Page A

cute, but forcing something by doing the same thing over and over…well, that’s never going to work.”
    “You think I should leave it to chance?” She raised an eyebrow.
    Gracie Greene never left anything to chance.
    “Didn’t someone say that the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result?”
    She tugged her arm out of his. “Yes, someone did say that, but that someone was a man.”
    “I guess that’s why you asked for my help,” he pointed out. “Not that I think finding a boyfriend is all that important, by the way.”
    “You haven’t met my mother.” She rolled her eyes and allowed Des to steer her to the market crossing. “It’s perfectly fine for a guy to be single, but a woman…there must be something wrong with her.”
    “Nobody believes that shit anymore.”
    His hand was at her back, the light pressure barely registering through her coat, but it was enough to make her pulse race. Why was it that simply being near him caused her body to do all kinds of crazy, involuntary things?
    He was wrong for her, so wrong. But she couldn’t deny the flicker of excitement he stirred, the tiny, rebellious hint of fire she’d never sought, never wished for. In fact, it was a feeling she actively avoided, because it meant that she’d have to put herself on the line.
    “Rule number two: don’t mock a girl’s ideals.” She offered a smile, sidestepping the argument for now. But she wasn’t going let him off the hook too easily.
    “What was rule number one again?” His brow crinkled.
    “You’re going to struggle if we’ve only gotten to rule two and you’re already forgetting. Rule number one was no worrying about work.”
    “Right.”
    As they entered the market, Gracie’s senses were swarmed with a glorious fusion of food scents, noisy chatter, and warmth. Everywhere people were laughing, eating, talking, and having a great time. She had to admit, it did seem like a more fun environment in which to meet someone than browsing profiles and taking notes on her own.
    Des held her tight as he led her through the crowded stall lanes to the dining area. Hawker-style food carts ran the length of the market, selling everything from Indian curries to French crepes to churros, paella, and more. Spices and herb smells filled her nose, making her mouth water.
    “I’m starving,” she announced. It was the truth, though food was not exactly what she had in mind.
    Close in the crowd, she leaned into the hard warmth of Des’s body. Her fingertips brushed his jean-clad thigh and she kept her vision straight ahead. She felt wicked, far away from her usual, conservative self.
    You’re not here to play pretend with him. You’re here to solve a problem. Eye on the prize, Greene!
    She checked out the menu for a Greek food stall and a warm hand embraced hers.
    “I’m assuming there are no rules against hand-holding?” He leaned down, his breath tickling her ear. She desperately wanted to turn to him, to see those full lips of his up close and admire every curve in detail.
    “This is strictly a business outing.” She removed her hand from his. “Hand-holding is more of a date thing…and we’re not on a date.”
    The reminder was as much for her as it was for him. Her body wanted nothing more than to fuse to his, to clasp his hand, to find his lips with hers, to explore and delve and taste. Gracie swallowed against the desire building in her.
    They ordered their food and found a seat at the end of a long communal table. It shouldn’t have been romantic—they were surrounded by crowds and noise and chaos—yet the way the world dissolved around them whenever he was near was the most heart-fluttering, stomach-flipping, breath-stealing thing Gracie had ever experienced.
    She was in way over her head.
    “So,” she said, hoping her voice didn’t sound as squeaky out loud as it did in her head. “How is this supposed to help me find a man?”
    “It’s all