Free Ditching The Dream (Dream Series) by Isabelle Peterson

slightly as he’d been caught, then he gave a small wave and slid into his apartment.
    Safely in my own apartment, with the door double locked, I let out the breath that I’d held since the elevator. Why was my blood racing? This was absurd. He was just being nice. A southern gentleman. A drop-dead, gorgeous, amazing smelling, southern gentleman.
    I decided to take a shower to try and calm my nerves, and rid myself of the Eau-du-Steak.
    In the shower, shaking thoughts of other men out of my head, I planned my call to Greg. I’d been gone nearly a full week, I was feeling stronger. A call was the grown up, mature thing to do.

    G etting a whiff of her in the elevator smelling like steak, I now had a fierce craving. I didn’t even have to eat it. I knew that every time I smelled steak, I was going to think of her. She said she worked at a steak house nearby. I was going to have to figure out which one.
    When did she move in? And how did I miss it? I knew it was a furnished apartment. Maybe she didn’t have much in tow. How long was she staying? Why was I so affected by a total stranger? I only broke up with Erica six months ago. I wasn’t looking for a girlfriend. In fact, I was enjoying the single life. But now she’s here. Elizabeth.
    Why did I have to go and freak her out by touching her? I just couldn’t help myself. Before I knew it, my hand was on the small of her back. She felt so good. I could still feel her on my hand. Then, she caught me staring at her. Way to go, Kev.
    Elizabeth Fairchild. Beautiful name for a beautiful woman. Did she start to call herself Mrs ? Maybe she was a new divorcée? I’d have to look for rings. I hoped I would see her again soon. I was grateful that Spring break was this week.

CHAPTER 7

    S crubbed up, and no longer sporting Eau du Steak, I towel dried my hair. An unexpected bonus to getting all my hair cut off was that I could use less shampoo and conditioner, and I could towel dry my hair.
    I sat down in the comfy living room chair with my phone and pulled up the home number. I stared at the entry building up the courage to touch the number and let the call go through. I counted to three and tapped it. The phone rang and rang. Was Greg out? I checked the time. It was eleven o’clock here, which meant it was eight back home. Greg was never out this –
    “Hello? Elizabeth?” Greg answered, sounding anxious and out of breath. My heart broke a little. What was I doing?
    “Hi, Greg,” I managed.
    “How’s New York?” he asked quietly. “I see there’s great weather out your way. It’s been rainy here.”
    Is he really making small talk? I couldn’t believe my ears. “Um, good. It’s good. And yes the weather has been great.”
    “How’s the job hunting going? Any luck? I hear it’s brutal out there.”
    “I actually got a job already. Been working since Thursday.”
    “Really? That’s amazing. Where are you working?”
    “Greg, are we really making small talk?” I blurted. I couldn’t help it. This was awkward enough. “What’s next? Neighbor gossip?”
    “You want the neighbor gossip? My wife left me.” I could hear him breathe deeply on the other end of the line. “Why? Why did you leave? Couldn’t you just talk to me? We could have worked this out.” I could hear desperation in his voice. “Do you want a divorce? Do I need a lawyer?” Crack . Was that my heart breaking?
    I steeled myself and took a breath before replying. “I don’t know, but I do know that I need to do this. I am learning a lot about what I am capable of.”
    “But Elizabeth, you’ve always been capable. More than capable. You are one of the smartest, most clever, strongest women I know.”
    “What? Keeping the house clean? Cooking dinner? The PTA? The book club? That’s all fine and good, but there’s more to life. I need to know that I can survive on my own, Greg. I’ve never done that before. I went from my parent’s house to yours. I’ve never stood on my own two