Dark Admirer [The Watchers Series Book 2] [NOOK Book]

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"Have you looked outside recently?"

Shoving aside the lace curtains that framed the front window of her bookstore, Eve cradled her cell phone to her ear and glanced up at the steel grey clouds. "Pretty ominous, isn't it?"

"You think?" her friend, Gemma responded. "The weatherman says it's blowing in over the lake and seeing as you're down at the harbour front, you're bound to get stranded. The storm is serving up high winds, white outs and ice pellets. In an hour nothing is going to be running--well, maybe the electricity--if we're lucky."

"You're such a worry wart," Eve groaned, even as she stole another glance up at the angry sky.

"Well, it's obvious that I need to worry for both of us. Besides, what are best friends for if they can't be concerned for each other?" Gemma challenged. "You're so laid back that you're going to find yourself stranded in your bookstore for the night. What a way to break in the new year, sitting alone with a bunch of books."

"That's what I normally do every year on New Year's Eve."

Gemma heaved out an exasperated sigh that vibrated against the speaker of Eve's phone. "C'mon, Eve, just head on over here. The buses are still running and you won't have to worry about the ice and winds if you leave now. Look, if you don't want to take the bus or the subway, I'll have Martin swing by and pick you up."

"No, you're not sending your husband out in this weather. I'd never forgive myself if something bad happened."

"Okay, then take a cab. Just get your buns over here."

"I'm not dressed for anything other than selling books."

"I'll loan you something of mine."

Eve sighed and pressed her fingers to her eyes,suddenly feeling a headache coming on. "And how will that work out precisely, Gem? You're a size four, and I'm size sixteen--that's a size six with a one in front of it, in case you didn't know that."

"Eve..." her friend warned.

"Oh, c'mon, Gemma, it's no big deal. You don't have to struggle to find the right words to console me. I'm totally okay with what size I am. We just gotta face facts, we're never sharing clothes. Besides, you know perfectly well that I like my figure."

"Yeah, and I'm certain Richard would like it too. But for him to like it, he'd actually have to see it. That means you have to leave Quills right now and get your butt over here before you get stranded for the night. What are you wearing anyway?"

"Jeans--"

"And a lace camisole and that stretched out brown sweater," Gemma finished for her.

"Wrongo," Eve laughed as she looked down at her attire. "I'm wearing that cool poncho I bought last summer in London--you remember, it's that burgundy and black velvet one I picked up at that vintage clothing store on Carnaby Street."

"That little shop in Soho? Oh, God, that's even worse. I can't believe you're wearing that thing. I told you not to buy that Goth monstrosity."

"Hey, I am what I am. I'll leave high fashion to you, and you leave the books and cooking to me."

"Hippie."

"Fashion Whore."

They both burst out laughing, then Eve sobered. "Seriously, Gem, I'll be over. I promised to bring that Toblerone cheesecake you love so much. How can I do that if I come straight to your place?"

"Oh, God, that cheesecake is an orgasm on a plate!"

"Yeah, and it's sitting in my refrigerator, waiting to be torn into."

"Okay, then. But leave now, pick up the cheesecake and head on over."

"Hey, Gemma? I just want you to know how much I appreciate all that you and Martin have done to help me meet ... people."

"You mean guys."

"Yeah, guys."

"You'll love him," Gemma gushed. "Richard's cute and educated, and he's got a fabulous mop of brown hair. He's an awesome dresser, if a bit on the conservative side, which may or may not irk you. But the best thing is, he loves reading. The guy could talk books all night. God, I swear, he was born for you, Eve."

Taking a deep breath, Eve nodded and tried to tell herself she believed her friend. Truth was, she didn't. She didn't really believe that the right guy was waiting out there for her.

God, it had been so long since she'd been out on a date, and even longer since she'd had a successful date. She didn't even want to think about how long it had been since she'd had sex. And Pinkie, her vibrator, didn't count. Even though she had used it that morning and had enjoyed a great orgasm. But Pinkie was silicone, and plastic, no matter how 'realistic' it might look, it just didn't take the place of a man's hands ... or his mouth ... or oh ... god, she couldn't think like this right now.