Totlandia: Spring Read Online Free PDF Page B

accusation that he only wanted her because it was a safe bet that she’d never give in—by asking her to allow herself the happiness she deserved.
    There were too many reasons to say no, but one very important reason to say yes. No other man had been willing to take a chance on her.
    He was begging to be that man.
    Seeing Barry’s frown, Ally quickly added, “Barry, please try to understand! I’m a single mom, closing in on forty. Whereas most of the men I meet resent my professional success, Brady loves and respects the fact that I built a company on my own, because he’s done exactly the same thing. And while most men are intimidated by my financial freedom, Brady finds this a relief.”
    Barry laughed. “I’m sure he does! Arm charms are expensive.”
    Ally frowned. “That’s another thing. He loves me, even though I don’t look like…well you know—”
    “Yeah, I know—a Playboy centerfold.” Barry hesitated, then added, “Like Jade.”
    Yes, like Jade. Ally looked down at her breasts, which were not exactly small, and not exactly sagging, but they’d certainly never get her on the cover of Esquire , either.
    When she looked up again, Barry was still scowling. Obviously, he was still worried for her. It was time to change the subject. She gave him a big sunny smile. “So, where’s our little girl?”
    “Christian took Zoe out to…Well, let’s just say they’re bonding. And the great news is that they should be back any moment.” He looked down at his watch. “You said Bettina’s ‘you’re now all my bitches’ celebration is at noon, right? So, you’ve got plenty of time to get there. And then you’ve got the next four and a half years to regret putting yourself through it. Not to mention Zoe.”
    “Zoe is having a blast with all her little friends in the club.”
    “And you’re having a blast with one of their fathers. It’s only a matter of time before that little kewpie doll, Jade, finds out about you and her hubby.” Barry’s eyes rolled skyward. “You lied to get into this club. And now Brady has put you in a position where you’ll have to lie to all these great friends you claimed to have made. Tell me. What’s going to happen when they find out about the two of you? We both know it’s inevitable.” Despite his frown, he took her hand in his. “You know how I feel about the club. If you’d been axed, I’d be doing cartwheels. But to voluntarily leave it and all the friends you and Zoe have made, just because that player is making goo-goo eyes at you—” Barry took a deep breath. “Ally, he’s a man with all the things that implies.”
    “You sound as if you know something about Brady that I don’t.”
    Barry shrugged. “We men aren’t always honest with those who love us. Especially when we know it knocks us off some imaginary pedestal.”
    It’s sweet, the way he’s so protective of me, Ally thought. He may not know Brady the way I do, but he’s got a point. Zoe comes first, always.
    So that Barry couldn’t see her tears, she turned her head toward the window. Thank goodness, Christian, Barry’s partner, was pushing Zoe’s carriage up the block.
    “Look, Barry, I hear you. I’ll let Brady know in no uncertain terms that we’re just friends, and no more.” She kissed his cheek and then put a smile on her face. “Christian’s back—just in time to get Zoe ready. I bought her the cutest little dress for the ceremony.”
    “Um…Ally, about Zoe…There was a bit of an incident—”
    “What? What do you mean, ‘incident?’”
    “Nothing too serious. We had her in the yard with us while Christian and I were weeding the flowerbeds, and…well, while Christian and I weren’t looking—”
    At that moment, the door opened. Christian winced when he saw Ally. With an apologetic nod, he reached down to lift Zoe out of her stroller.
    Ally stared down at her child. Except for her eyes, nose, and mouth, every inch of the little girl was wrapped in a sports