Read My Hot New Year for Free Online

looking like more and more of a lunatic with every passing second.  What will I say?  I can't face him.  He looks TOO good walking up to me, and I know as soon I get out of the car that I'll smell his intoxicating cologne.  My knees go weak.  Maybe I shouldn't step out of the car.  What if my legs give out and I fall?  How silly will I look then?
    Wait!  Getting out is probably far less ridiculous than sitting here in the passenger seat.   Come on!  Get it together!  Okay, here we go!
    A surge of humiliation goes through my body as I remember that I left that lame voicemail canceling our "meeting.”  I shake my head hard, trying to clear it, trying to calm myself, and grab the door handle.  Why the hell did I think Jake was all that great, anyway?
    As I make my way out of the car, I see Jake walking directly toward me with an expression I can't quite read.  He's wearing a different suit from the one he was wearing this morning, and he's put on a fresh, blue shirt.  He looks drop dead gorgeous…the kind of gorgeous where I fight the visceral instinct to attack him right then and there.
    Mom walks into the house without saying a word and leaves me to fend for myself.  I guess that's for the best...  I do not want to have to introduce the man who left me screaming "faster, faster, harder, harder,” to my mother.  Oh, God.  My heart is palpitating and I wonder if I'm going to break out in an anxiety attack right in my own front yard.
    "Hello,” says Jake as I stand before him.
    Breathe.  Breathe!  A flicker of humor passes over Jake's face as he notices my inability to speak.
    "Hi Jake," I say very deliberately.  "What are you doing here?"
    "Ah,” he says, nodding.  "That's a very good question."  He pauses and looks down.  "I thought you might want to join me for dinner tonight.  Is that a problem?" he asks.
    "No!"  I say at once.
    Wait a second.  Yes, it IS a problem.  I can't be going to dinner with him.  Mom said it best: no business partner of Scott's is good for me!
    "Well..."  I hear my voice trail off.  "I just don't think that's the best idea.  I am not exactly in the best place right now, and I have a move to New York to prepare for."
    "Excellent," says Jake.  "I knew you'd say yes."  He winks.
    "Jake!  I can't!"  I shriek.  I surprise myself with my reaction.
    "I don't ask women to dinner unless I want to get to know them.  And it's been a very long time since I have decided to do so...so would you please throw me a bone here?"  He pauses and winks at me again.  "Just dinner?"  He looks more handsome than should be humanly possible.
    I'm not going to punish myself any longer.  I have to say yes, right?
    Shaking slightly, I look up at him again and nod.  "Okay,” I say quietly.
    Mom is going to be SO mad at me.
    "All right, Jake Sterns, just dinner."
     
     

 
     
    Chapter 4: The Surprise  
     
     
    I can't possibly believe that I'm having dinner with Jake at Randolph's Resort.  Just two hours ago, I'd sworn myself off of this beautiful man and reconciled that I would be better off alone.  It's like a dream or something.  You know the kind of dream where you tell yourself you are dreaming, but you still can't wake up?  Yes, I think that's what this is.  Okay, I’m just pretending that I'm fully comfortable and ready for this sophisticated dinner and conversation.
    Jake glances up, and a waiter hurries forward with the bottle of champagne he ordered.
    While the waiter fills my glass, I begin to get anxious.  What am I going to say to Jake?  What if he starts asking about Scott?  I don't want to have to tell Jake anything about that painful time.  I've got to get it together.
    "So," I say, looking up into his chocolate eyes, and raise my glass.  "To your new company!"
    "To the new company," says Jake, and gives a smile I don't recognize.  "But, you know, Jillian tonight isn't just about my business.”
    "Is that right?  You clearly know all the right words,