Free Her Best Mistake (Novella) by Donna McDonald Page B

much she missed him. Long distance relationships rarely worked. Did she have to go into it that deeply and tell Eric who it was?
    “You and I—we never really connected. Eric, you’re a very nice guy, but not meant for me,” Lisa finally said. “I’m sorry. I should have told you sooner, but I was pre-occupied this week.”
    “So what’s so great about this other guy? Is he older than me?” Eric asked, not deterred yet.
    “No. No, he’s a younger man too,” Lisa admitted. “But it wasn’t his age that drew me. He’s intense, serious minded. And I . . . it’s probably not going to work out with him either, but I can’t date you when it might. I hope you don’t hate me for ruining your lunch plans. I do appreciate the thought.”
    “Is he better looking than me?” Eric demanded, grinning at his own question when she rolled her eyes. Damn —he was going to miss her. He had really liked her sense of humor.
    “No. The man is not really more handsome than you,” Lisa said easily. “And he’s not as nice or as well off or as personable. But I still like him better. He makes me feel alive again. When you find someone who makes you feel that way, you’ll understand why I’m doing this.”
    “Probably not,” Eric said on a laugh. “You’re the perfect woman. I was planning to marry you.”
    “Oh God—spare me. That was never going to happen,” Lisa assured him as she snorted over the bold statement. “Trust me, I am far from the perfect woman. The perfect woman would for damn sure not be interested in another man while you’re planning picnic lunches.”
    “Well, maybe if you get tired of him, you can give me a call,” Eric suggested. “It’s not like you’re sleeping with him yet, right?”
    Lisa said nothing. There was a limit to what she was willing to admit.
    Eric frowned. “So, what? You are sleeping with him? I thought you didn’t move that fast.”
    “That’s a rather personal question given the fact you and I only had a single, casual dinner date that ended in a chaste, unmemorable kiss,” Lisa protested. “You strike me as the kind of man with a booty call list a mile long, so no judgment is allowed. The chemistry just wasn’t happening between us. I suggest we admit it and move on.”
    “Seriously—I was planning to marry you,” Eric said again, not willing to admit anything to a woman he wanted a chance with.
    This time Lisa laughed hard. “Kissing you was like kissing a friend. We have no chemistry, Eric.”
    “You have chemistry with the new guy?” Eric asked.
    “Yes—buckets and buckets of it,” Lisa said softly. “And he is not the kind of man you get over enough to go back to dating casually again. Now let’s get to the really important question. Can we still be friends?”
    “Sure,” Eric said. “Can we at least eat the lunch I brought?”
    Lisa laughed softly. “God—you are resilient. I do admire that about you.”
    Eric shrugged, as he passed her a sandwich and a bottle of mineral water. “Yeah, I wish my brother had gotten a little of that quality. Finn’s ex did a number on him. I don’t think he’s been with a woman since his divorce.”
    Lisa swallowed. “I’m sure it’s only a matter of time. Finn is an incredibly attractive man too, as you well know. All he has to do is be willing to take a chance again.”
    “Yes, but Dr. Roberts is a skeptic. He puts a wall between him and every woman he meets. The woman would have to crawl into bed with him to get his attention.”
    Lisa paused with the mineral water at her lips. She lowered it, unable to even take a sip. Her heart rate sped up. Finn wasn’t even out of the States yet.
    “Do you think anything like that is ever likely to ever happen to Finn?” Lisa asked. The voice inside her screamed about changing the subject before the truth accidentally rolled out of her mouth.
    Eric laughed. “Since we’re not dating anymore, I guess I can tell you this. I left a note and key at the desk for a