Free The Reading Circle by Ashton Lee Page A

simple as our exchanging vows at one of my ‘Who’s Who in Cherico?’ meetings at the library. After all, that’s where I first really got to know you and Pamela. Neither of you ever missed a meeting.”
    His face showed no signs of cottoning to the idea, and he took his time reacting to her proposal. “I’m well aware of that. But getting married in that crowded little library? How would that work? Whoever has a library card has an automatic invitation? I know Miz Mayhew is trying hard to promote the library and stay one step ahead of Councilman Sparks by expanding the book club, but don’t you think that’s going too far?”
    â€œIf you don’t like that idea, we could always use a church,” she continued, steeling herself further. “I’m a Presbyterian and you’re an Episcopalian, but I’d be comfortable getting married in your church if you want it that way. I’ve always been comfortable with you bobtail Catholics. All the pomp and ceremony without the guilt, my mother used to say.”
    He was wincing now. “Why do we have to rush into this?”
    At that point she decided to back off. If this was round one, she had lost it. It was time to bandage the little jabs and cuts, and move on with new footwork for another day. It was still a match she had no intention of losing. She was going to hold him to his gentlemanly ways or die trying.

6
Reading in Bed
    B ecca sat propped up on her bright blue pillows at nine-thirty one chilly February evening, working her way through more of Forrest Gump . Anyone walking into the Brachle master bedroom suite might have thought that she was also posing for a Victoria’s Secret catalog, what with the see-through pink negligee clinging to her petite but inviting figure. She had read up to the point where Forrest and Jenny were playing together in a college folk music group, and she was wondering once again just how far her Stout Fella had gotten with his copy. Deeper into the novel than she had, she was reasonably certain, at least judging by the way he always immediately jumped into bed after dinner, found his place with the leather bookmark she had given him, and fell to with great relish. In fact, he was doing that very thing right now on the other side of the bed. He might as well have been a mile away.
    â€œYou really are living up to your promise, Justin,” she said to him, after coming to a stopping point in her reading.
    â€œWhat?” he managed reflexively, his eyes still trained on the page in front of him.
    â€œYou told Maura Beth you were going to take The Cherry Cola Book Club seriously, and you have. I’m very impressed. Really, I was talking to Connie the other day about it, and she said that Douglas is digging into the novel, too. You boys are making us proud.”
    â€œWait a sec, honey,” he said, turning the page. “Let me just get through this part here.”
    The nonchalance in his voice annoyed her. He was dismissing her as he had so often lately. And since when had reading become more important than a satisfying roll in the hay? That was most un-Justin-like, and she was missing the intimacy besides. “You’ve been at it for a half hour. Aren’t your eyes getting a little tired? Don’t you want to call it a night even though the night is still young?”
    He glanced her way briefly, and she saw that he had become annoyed himself. “Seriously, Becca—Forrest and Jenny are making crazy love all over the house. This is a really good part I’ve gotten to. You know, the book and the movie aren’t exactly alike, either.”
    Those were difficult words for her to hear. Particularly since she had on her most provocative negligee, had shaved and rubbed lotion on her legs, taken extra time with the blow-dryer so she could drape her locks just so around her shoulders—and here he was enthralled with some steamy fictional action on the