Reading Online Novel

Text Order Bride(5)



He laughed. “How long have you two been friends?”

“Fourteen years. We were roommates all through college, and became best friends. I hate it that it’s been ten years since we’ve seen each other. We keep up through email and Facebook, of course, but it’s just not the same. I’m really excited about seeing her and Bob and meeting the kids.”

“She was bouncing off the walls when we talked at church on Sunday. She’s really excited that you’re visiting.”

Amanda smiled. “We talked for a minute or two last night, and she sounded like she was going insane.”

Their waitress dropped the pizza at the table and went off to get refills for each of them. Jason let go of her hand so they could eat. She was surprised by how easily she was talking to him.

After he’d paid for their meal, they went back out to the truck. Instead of starting it immediately, he turned to her. “All the while we were eating, all I could think about was one thing,” he whispered staring at her lips.

She turned to face him on the seat. “What’s that?”

“Kissing you,” he whispered slowly lowering his head toward hers. He gave her plenty of time to back away if she didn’t want this kiss.

She turned her face up toward his and met his lips with her own. The kiss was quick and chaste, barely a brush of their mouths together. He pulled back and smiled at her. “I had to get that out of the way. All I could think about was how you’d taste.”

She blushed. She’d never even been kissed before. She was certain she’d done it all wrong, but wasn’t certain how to ask. “And?”

“Well, a lot like pizza,” he answered with a grin.

She laughed. “That would make sense.”

He started the truck and they headed north toward Stratford. His hand met hers on the seat between them squeezing it tightly.

It was a few minutes after eleven when he pulled into Stephanie’s driveway. He had just turned to kiss her goodnight, when the front door flew open and Stephanie came running out in her pajamas, bathrobe and slippers.

Amanda gave him a quick grin and opened the door, running to her friend. They hugged tightly. Stephanie had put on some weight over the years after giving birth to four children. Amanda was as slim as ever. Stephanie was a full foot shorter than Amanda and as dark as Amanda was fair. In college they’d joked that by putting pieces of the two of them together, any man could make his ideal woman.

Jason watched the women hug and removed her suitcases. “Where do you want these?” he asked.

Stephanie pulled away from Amanda with tears in her eyes. She led them both inside. “The boys are sleeping on the floor in the living room while you’re here. They think it’s a great adventure. I thought you’d be more comfortable in their room.”

“That sounds good. Thanks.”

They walked around sleeping bodies to the hallway. “Right through here,” she said.

Jason carried the bags in and set them down. “Stephanie’s not sharing you tomorrow, so I’ll see you Friday morning,” he said with a wink.

Amanda blushed and nodded. “I’m looking forward to it.”

He didn’t try to kiss her in front of Stephanie and for that she was grateful. “G’night.”

“Thanks for picking me up at the airport,” she said.

“My pleasure.”

He walked toward the front door and Stephanie hurried after him and locked the door. She went back to Amanda and sat on one of the boy’s beds while Amanda collapsed on the other.

“What do you think now that you’ve met him?” Stephanie asked.

Amanda grinned. “I think he’s sexy and fun. I can’t wait to get to know him better.”

“I knew you’d like him!”

“You were right. I just hope he likes me as much as I like him.”

Stephanie shook her head. “Of course he does. Who wouldn’t?”

Amanda laughed. “Every other man I’ve met in my life.”

“That’s not true! I saw some guys looking at you in the cafeteria in college.”

“Yeah, until I stood up and they realized they would have to stand on a ladder to kiss me.” She sighed. She knew that she had no chance with a man like Jason, but it was fun to pretend for a few days. “What do you know about Jason’s past? Has he had a long parade of women?”

Stephanie bit her lip like she was debating whether or not to tell her something.

“Spill it, Steph! I’m your best friend. If you know something you’re not telling me, I’m going to have to hurt you.”

Stephanie sighed. “He was dating a woman a while back. He was completely devoted to her.”