Free Only Love (The Atonement Series) by Elle Chardou Page B

words or hide their disappointment in my selection of female companionship. Then again, that crowd isn’t used to biting their tongue—they’ve always said what they wanted to say all their lives and that entitlement follows them into adulthood.”
    I shrugged my shoulders and tried to center myself. It was truly the only way I was going to forget about what I didn’t want to discuss and change the subject. “Colin and I drifted apart. It’s as simple as that and perhaps we were using the baby as a band aid. I’m not saying I am grateful for the miscarriage but sometimes, certain situations in our life aren’t meant to be. It has come to a point in my life I’m not sure if Colin and I are supposed to be together.
    “Does that make me a bad person because I couldn’t live in the same city with him and pretended I left for different reasons? Perhaps but I did what I had to do and what was best for my peace of mind. As you can see, my sister and her boyfriend don’t approve but they aren’t in our relationship so it is really none of their business what we do or don’t do.”
    “You seem quite sure of yourself and the fact that they won’t be in and out of your life only you have forgotten one huge drawback.” Drake set his glass down and peered at me from across the table. “Colin has moved here to be with you and ‘help you with your business’ so to me, that doesn’t sound like a man who is throwing in the towel any time soon.”
    “Yes, you’re right,” I replied before I leaned over and smiled in a slightly devious way. “However, he can stay here as long as he wants but he can’t stop me from falling for someone else if it just happens so what harm is it for him to stay if he wants to torture himself?”
    “True, he can’t stop you from falling for another guy…but he sure as hell could make our lives unpleasant and difficult. Never underestimate what love will drive some people to do.”
    I glanced up at Drake with a coy smile on my face as I finished up my drink. “Is that a subtle way of telling me you’re interested in me?”
    “Well, I thought I’d made it quite obvious but if I haven’t then yes, I am informing you now that I would like to get to know you better. We are neighbors and I find you intelligent, warm, fascinating and kind. I know you might not be ready to hop from one relationship into the next so I can do the ‘friend’ thing for a while but my ultimate goal is to have you as my significant other,” Drake explained shortly before the waiter came over to take our orders.
    I decided to have the center cut swordfish while Drake ordered braised lamb shank. We switched from cocktails to wine—he decided on a great year of Cabernet Sauvignon while I ordered a glass of Chardonnay. I wasn’t crazy about that particular white wine but the year was good enough I decided to try it out after all.
    I still couldn’t believe he’d said that to me and I kept glancing from my furtive people-watching back to his pale greenish blue eyes.
    They were part of the reason why he was so incredibly attractive. I had never seen anyone with eyes so pale and green yet they possessed a lot of blue as well as could go from the color of Colombian emeralds which were an intoxicating mixture of pale green and blue to aquamarine. However, more often than not, they always appeared to be more green than blue regardless what shade they were.
    “You’ve been quiet. Is something bothering you?” Drake inquired in a soft voice.
    I was snapped back into the present and smiled before I cocked my head slightly to the side. “Is this the place where you bring all the girls you are wooing at any given time?”
    His dark eyebrows shot up. “No, not really, because the truth is I haven’t really been with anyone since Mikayla and we have been broken up for a while. I mean, don’t get me wrong—I’m a man so I’ve had my fair share of one night stands and quickie affairs since I have been single.