Free Touch of Love by Ellen Wolf Page B

hasn’t been a good day for me.’
    ‘And that’s exactly why you shouldn’t be alone .’
    Does he really think he’s one to hand out advice? Only her inborn tact prevented her from asking exactly that.
    ‘I know you’re distressed.’
    Whoa , what a genius. His serious expression brought back the misery she had managed to push aside for so long. Damn him and his amateur psychology.
    ‘ You need a distraction from what happened, Elly.’ Adam was obviously unaware of her resentment, because he kept going, a stubborn line on his forehead deepening. ‘Not to wallow in your misery, rethinking every second that led to this very moment.’
    ‘Like you did when you slept in the park?’ She couldn’t help herself. She watched him, waiting for some sign of annoyance, but to her relief, he seemed perfectly fine.
    ‘ Yeah, something like that.’ He smiled again. ‘I was kind of dramatic, wasn’t I? “Total Eclipse of the Heart” comes to mind. Still, I can share with you my very fresh wisdom, Elly. Things do fall apart for a reason. It hurts like hell, but it’s still better than what could have been. Just imagine what could happen if you caught him in two, three months? Wouldn’t it be worse?’
    ‘ Okay, Dr. Phil, I will remind myself of that when I send back all the gifts that have already arrived and answer the questions about what went wrong.’ She dreaded it already. She could feel goose bumps forming on her arms as she imagined her sister’s hysterical phone call. Amelia, who was ten years her senior, would certainly find a way to blame the breakup on Elly. She could almost hear Amelia’s voice, calling her a spoiled brat who ruined everything for their parents—and the rest of the family, of course. She had booked their flight from Amsterdam for next weekend. Amelia had probably planned the whole seven days they were to spend in Chicago, down to the last detail.
    ‘Screw them all .’ His enthusiasm made her smile, against her better judgment. He was right. She didn’t owe an explanation to anyone. Her life and her choices were hers and hers alone. Her parents might have been in love with the idea of her wedding, but they would have to accept the fact that it wasn’t going to happen.
    ‘You know, you’re right .’ She nodded pensively. ‘No, I’m not being sarcastic. Screw the whole marriage thing, Adam. Who says I can’t be single, have a great life and friends instead of one fiancé that can’t keep his pants on?’
    ‘That’s more like it .’ His approving grin should have warned her, but she was still riding on the unexpected wave of adrenaline.
    It had been such a long time since she’d had a chance to just be herself. Being with Brad made her just half of a whole, constantly linked to the other part. It was great, but with him gone, she could just do as she pleased.
    ‘Can I ask you something?’ She glanced at Adam, and he nodded. Good, I need someone honest in my life for a change.
    ‘Sure . What is it?’
    He might have expected her to ask for more of his advice on life in general and dumping in particular. Well, she didn’t really want to hear any more. Instead, she needed to find her own way to deal with the facts, her mind already racing a hundred miles a second.
    ‘Does Jake have a girlfriend?’
    He was surprised, she noticed. His dark eyes veiled in an instant.
    Why? It wasn’t such an inappropriate question, was it?
    ‘I mean, you know him well and all…’ she continued, her cheeks heating as she sensed his discomfort. ‘I can’t really ask him straight out if there is someone special in his life. He told me about his contract and the whole mess with being single for the show’s sake. It doesn’t have to mean he isn’t interested in some girl anyway, right?’
    ‘Why? Do you plan to use him as a replacement for your flighty fiancé?’ She thought she caught a note of reproach in his voice.
    A wave of anger rose in her chest, replacing any embarrassment. She