Read Following Love for Free Online

carried a leather briefcase.
    What a difference a day makes.
    He nodded, keeping his eyes focused on her face. She returned his slight gesture as they met and passed each other side by side. Willing herself not to turn around, she stood firm and grasped the escalator railing tighter. There was no way she was going to turn around. No way. No, way. Way.
    She turned around to see that he had turned around. He nodded silently again as the two men he was with caught sight of her with inquiring expressions. She quickly turned to face forward.
    A nervous chill at seeing him again gripped her and had her misstep and nearly trip while coming off the escalator. She quickly gathered herself and calmed her nerves. She needed this job.
    Following the signs, she walked down the short hallway and stood outside the offices. She took a deep breath and entered.
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    â€œWhoa, what was that vow,” Darius began then paused briefly. “I’ve had it with women. I’m through with love, never ever again.” He glanced at Julian and chuckled. “Now where did I hear that?” he added as he witnessed his younger brother turn around to nod at the woman on the escalator. “Oh, that’s right, you were tired of all the games and all the drama. I remember now.”
    â€œHe can’t even get out of the building without suffering whiplash,” Jordan added. “Have you ever seen anyone so determined to fall in love again?”
    â€œUnbelievable,” Darius concluded. “And remember that word he used, now what was it again?” he asked of his brother Jordan as Julian’s face began to burn.
    â€œCelibacy,” Jordan answered, slowly and deliberately.
    â€œThat’s right. How long ago was that?” Darius asked.
    â€œI believe that it was just two weeks ago,” Jordan said.
    â€œIt was seven months ago, two weeks, three days and sixteen hours,” Julian said briskly.
    â€œIt can’t be genetic. The rest of us are fine. Must be something he contracted in med school,” Darius added.
    â€œMy thoughts exactly,” Jordan confirmed. “But he’s always had the tendency to fall in love at the drop of a hat. Remember his kindergarten crush on Kylie Grimes.”
    â€œYeah, he gave her his milk money for three months.” In unison they shook their heads, seemingly saddened by the comments.
    â€œIf the two of you are finished with the jokes and levity, I’d like to get back to our previous conversation, if you don’t mind.”
    â€œOh, but we do mind,” Darius insisted. “I want to know what all this head-nodding is all about.”
    â€œTrue that. You’re not getting off that easily. Who is she, the hopeful Ms. Lucky number three?”
    Julian looked at his brothers threateningly. “She’s Ellen Peyton’s niece. I was there yesterday tearing down the grill she put up, remember.”
    â€œYeah, I also remember that you asked for that particular assignment to relieve some of your pent-up anger. I guess the sledgehammer didn’t do the trick.” Darius and Jordan looked at each other and smiled knowingly. Julian’s playboy reputation had rivaled theirs and had even exceeded them at times.
    â€œI know where you’re going with this, and you’re wrong. I almost hit her with the sledgehammer. I turned around and she was there out of the blue. She spilled lemonade down the front of her shirt.”
    â€œWet T-shirt?” Jordan asked.
    â€œInteresting approach,” Darius said as he and Jordan nodded their approval, knowing that Julian was getting more and more annoyed with them as they enjoyed every minute.
    â€œNo,” Julian answered too quickly, “it wasn’t like that. She had a regular cotton shirt on and, not seeing her, I swung the hammer back and nearly clipped her. She spilled the lemonade when she fell back on her…I’m sure you get the idea. Now can we please get back to