The Windfall Read Online Free PDF Page A

away. My dad and I had waited nearly two hours to get on the plane and the change in the time zones had left us both feeling wrung out once we arrived on this end of the country. “Is it that obvious?”
    “Maybe just a little bit.” He grinned. “Where are you from?”
    “Cali,” I replied, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “Apparently the time change hasn’t been able to catch up with me yet. I still feel like it’s super early.” I was tired, but not sleepy. My brain was still convinced it was hours earlier than the clock insisted it was.
    “I’ve always been on the East Coast, so I’ll have to take your word for it,” he said with a chuckle. “Business or pleasure?”
    “Pleasure,” I said, picking at the label on my beer bottle. “Or, so I thought. My dad’s half-sister lives here and he needed a pick me up so I thought it would be a good idea to bring him for a visit. They haven’t seen each other in ten years.”
    “I’m guessing there is a reason?” he asked gently, his voice barely heard over the music.
    I nodded, my cheeks flushed. “Yes, well, apparently they don’t see eye to eye on some things. When I left, they were arguing about the weather. Can you believe that?”
    “The weather, huh?” he said with a grin.
    I looked up at him and returned the expression, shaking my head. “I know, right? It’s ridiculous. I don’t think my dad will find an ounce of relaxation while we are here like I had hoped he would.” To escape the bickering, I had started walking, finding this place right around the corner from my aunt’s house. Though it was probably dangerous for me to be out this time of night, I was willing to take the chance to get out for a while.
    “Well,” he said, leaning against the bar. “Hopefully you’ll have a few good memories from your visit here.”
    I blushed, feeling a familiar warmth spread through my chest. He was too good looking for my own good. Too bad we were on opposite ends of the country. “Yeah, well, I’m having a pretty good one right now.”
    He shot me a killer smile, and I tried not to read too much into it. He was helping me forget the mess I had created by bringing my dad here, even if for just a little while.
    “How long are you in town?”
    “Just two days,” I sighed, my smile fading as I remembered what time it was and why I was in Atlanta. I needed to head back. “Well, I guess I better get back before they kill each other. How much do I owe you?”
    He shook his head, picking up my empty bottle. “It’s on me.”
    “Thanks.” I smiled. I reached into the pocket of my jeans to grab the five-dollar bill I’d shoved in there at the airport after buying an overpriced bottle of water. I pushed the five into the tip jar, wishing I were brave enough to have written my name and number on it before I did. But then again, it wouldn’t have done me any good. The guy lived on the opposite side of the country from me. Besides, I was just coming out of a relationship. The last thing I needed was the complication of a one-night stand to cloud my judgment moving forward . . . which is exactly what barboy would have been. I moved myself off of the stool, finding I was a bit reluctant to leave, and started for the exit. “Have a nice night,” I offered as I reached the door.
    He beamed an irresistible smile my way. “I hope you enjoy your visit.”
    I hesitated for a moment, glancing back at him before I forced myself to walk out into the cool night. It was time to go back to reality, although camping out with barboy seemed like a much better option.

Chapter Five
    Cooper
    I stretched and opened my eyes, the aftereffects of a long night still with my tired body. I had finally made it into bed around five in the morning and, as I turned over, I saw that it was only eight. Great. Another long day and short, sleepless night.
    With a sigh, I pushed myself out of the bed and threw on some clothes, running a hand through my hair as I walked to