Free Love Letters by Geraldine Solon Page A

phone calls. Maybe Nicole was right. Besides, it wouldn’t hurt for him to worry a little. She would tell him she had a dinner date with Nicole. No sooner had she mentally agreed to it than she felt a flush of heat. She’d never been the deceptive type, and it shocked her to think that she would do so now.
    Josh eyed Chloe’s engagement ring. “So are you coming?”
    Her heart was beating fast. “Um, sure, what time?”
    “ Around eight. I’ll make margaritas.” Josh gave her his most winning smile.
    “ Yeah, and I’ll bring the buffalo wings,” Matt added.
    “ I can bring some nachos,” Chloe said, crossing her legs.
    “ Thanks, guys, I feel better already.” Nicole took a bite of her sandwich.
    Matt kissed Nicole goodbye. “Okay, we’ll see you later.”
    “ Later,” Josh said, waving goodbye.
    Chloe was shaking all over. After talking to him last night and seeing him again today, she knew she still felt connected to Josh. It was like he had never left. The only difference being that she would be marrying Richard soon. She rolled her head from side to side to ease the tension that had built in her neck. She had way too much on her mind. She stood up and threw her soda in the recycling bin and her sandwich in the garbage can. “Hey, Nic, I have to go back to work. Do you want me to pick you up tonight?”
    “ That would be nice,” Nicole smiled. “Thank you for always being there for me.”
    Chloe winked at her friend. Deep inside she wanted to tell Nicole how excited she was to see Josh tonight but instead she said, “That’s what friends are for.”
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
    Chloe went to her walk-in closet and pulled out some pants and tops. She didn’t want to be overdressed, yet she didn’t want to look underdressed for Josh’s party either. After trying several outfits, she decided to wear tight black pants and a printed top with black high heels. She was well endowed, and could afford to show a little cleavage. She rubbed her glittered Victoria Secret lotion all over her body, adding more on her chest and neck. Then she flat ironed her hair.
    She felt guilty that she was going out of her way to look good for Josh, but after the way Richard had treated her the previous evening it would do him good to worry a little. She smiled, thinking of her conversation with Josh. He was so different from Richard. He seemed to really care about her thoughts, her dreams. She had caught him looking at her engagement ring earlier and wondered if it bothered him. After all the sweet things he’d said to her over the phone, she needed to know that she wasn’t making a mistake by marrying Richard.
    I’m getting married soon.
    Her thoughts once again turned to Richard. He would be hitting the sack early and though she told him she’d be with Nicole, she felt a queasy feeling in her stomach. She had never lied to Richard before, and she didn’t like the idea of starting now. Still, she brushed aside her anxiety. It’s only a party.
    After fixing her hair she put on face powder and blush for her cheeks. Although she wasn’t fond of makeup, she loved wearing mascara because it gave her eyes character. She had long lashes, and enhancing them showed her eyes off to good advantage. That done, she put on a dash of perfume and some lipstick, then grabbed her purse and took one last look at the mirror, before snatching her keys. On her way out, she kissed Greta goodbye.
    It was a cool, crisp evening. While driving to Nicole’s house, she watched the stars out her window, and thought of Josh. Like the moon hidden beneath the clouds, there were so many unknowns. Could she really change her entire life for Richard? Or did she want more? Did she want a second chance with Josh—to see where it might lead?
    By the time she arrived at Nicole’s house, turned off the engine, and headed up the walkway, she was more confused than ever. Sighing in frustration, she rang the doorbell