Free Avoiding Mr. Right by C.J. Ellisson Page A

stand.
    “Okay. I’m cool with the handholding. It’s cute. But not here, all right? I need to
     get work done and not be tethered to you like a lost child.”
    Andy’s startled laughter spills out and he releases my hand, raising both of his in
     a surrender gesture. “Relax, Carla. I can find other ways to keep my hands occupied.”
     I walk past him and he lightly smacks my ass as I enter.
    I glare back at him and he smiles. “You wore those jeans to tempt me. Don’t deny it.
     I’m just succumbing to what you planned all along.”
    The afternoon zips by in a blur. Andy charms everyone he comes into contact with,
     his ready smile and easy-going manner making him popular among the weekend crew. At
     one point, in the back room, Andy pinned me to the wall for another soul-searching
     kiss. Damned if that man doesn’t have a way with his mouth.
    At four o’clock we wrap up and leave. Conflicted feelings battle for supremacy in
     my mind. Do I trust what I’ve seen of Andy or brush him off before we take things
     further? Despite the great day we’ve had together, I still need time to figure out
     what’s happening between us.
    Andy takes my hand again as we exit. “Want to grab dinner? Round out our date nicely
     with a full stomach?”
    I trip over my own feet and catch myself with the help of his steady hold on my hand.
     “Date?” I don my snarkiest expression. “I thought dates started with dinner?”
    He shrugs, unconcerned with my bitch face. “They can start with breakfast, Dury. No
     rules to what a date has to be.”
    “Dury? Where did that come from?”
    “When you get all distant and standoffish I think of it as your prickly coming out.
     Dury, durian fruit?” His devilish grin calls me, begging me to smack it off his face.
     “It’s okay though, I’m getting used to it. Think it’s your defense mechanism. Bet
     you do it unconsciously.”
    Considering I put quite a bit of work into being a bitch, I let him think what he
     wants. Me, being defensive? I don’t think so. Apparently the disbelief shows on my
     face because Andy stops our trek to the subway, turning me to face him.
    “Who hurt you, Carla? Who made you think all men run from a good woman when we find
     her? Was it that Johnny guy you mentioned the first night we were together?”
    Shame fills me over my actions that night. I cannot believe I did such an insensitive
     thing as to call out another man’s name. Half asleep or not, it was a shitty thing
     to do. And it certainly makes me examine my behavior a little more closely than I’d
     like.
    I duck my head, avoiding his piercing gaze. “Hey, I’m sorry about my thoughtless slip.
     Johnny was just a college fling. We spent a week together and that was it. Nothing
     more.”
    Andy steps closer, pulling our clasped hands up to his chest. “If not him, then who?
     Who made you think men can’t be trusted?”
    Unbidden, the image of my father fills my mind. A shudder runs over me and I pull
     away from Andy’s warmth, breaking our clasped hands. “I’ve got to go. I had fun today.
     Thanks.” I step away, toward the street, raising my hand to flag down an approaching
     cab.
    “Wait!” Andy’s voice rises over the traffic noise. “Dammit, Carla! Talk to me!”
    The cab veers to a stop in front of me and I slip inside, shaking from the image and
     feelings Andy stirred up. I know I’m running. I know it’s childish. But I can’t handle
     this with him staring at me. I need to be alone.
    Do I really not trust men because of my father? Have I always treated each man as
     a short-term fling because I couldn’t do the simplest thing in life and give my trust?
     My vision blurs as tears gather. What a crappy way to end a nice day.
     
     
     

Chapter Twelve
Andrew
     
    It’s Monday and Carla wouldn’t answer my texts yesterday except to tell me she was
     spending the day with Heather. I hope her friend talked some sense into her. Maybe
     time with her will have put