Read Online One Real Man (Entangled Bliss) ) by Coleen Kwan - Free Book Online

set, that was her cue to put her years of planning into action. She’d been so obsessed with getting every detail right that she’d overlooked the most important ingredient—the husband-to-be.
    “Hey, I heard about you and Seth.” Astrid’s ice-pick drawl dragged Paige from her memories. “Too bad, hmm?”
    Astrid’s sympathy was about as genuine as the Tooth Fairy. Paige lifted her shoulders and replied with a noncommittal grimace. No way was she going to discuss her failed marriage with her best frenemy.
    “You should count yourself lucky to be rid of him.” Astrid circled her manicured finger around the top of the can of Red Bull. Her eyes glinted. “Very lucky, lucky, lucky…”
    A cold spasm gripped Paige low in the gut. Her hands trembled slightly as she clutched a carton of milk. There was no mistaking what Astrid was alluding to. She’d seen the video, and no doubt spread the word. All the people Paige knew in Burronga had probably seen it. Watched it and snickered and judged her.
    The catlike smile on Astrid’s face made her feel so small. Made her feel sixteen again, anxious to be accepted by Astrid’s group, willing to do anything to get the queen bee’s stamp of approval. “Why can’t you be more like Astrid Sherwood?” her mother had sighed on numerous occasions. “Now there’s a girl who knows how to make the most of herself.” So she’d tried really hard to emulate Astrid, to be liked by Astrid, and all it had gotten her was this—a supercilious gibe in the middle of a supermarket.
    Paige stood there, frozen and helpless in her humiliation, like a worm trapped beneath Astrid’s ballet flat, waiting to be squashed.
    Lifting a languid hand, Astrid smoothed her immaculate hair. “Well, so you’re back home, filling up on”—she peered at the groceries—“Pepsi and cheddar cheese and—good lord, is that bologna sausage? Eww.” She made a face. “Eric’s builders are always eating bologna sausage sandwiches. Do you have a hot, buff builder at your place? Wouldn’t be surprised…”
    As she tittered, an image of Owen flashed into Paige’s brain. Hot, buff builder—yes, he was that, all right. Before she could help it, a prickling flush swept across her cheeks, making Astrid crow louder.
    “You are a naughty possum! Don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me. I won’t breathe a word about you and your builder and your bologna sausage.” She waved a farewell, her diamond ring sparkling, and sauntered off.
    Paige fumed silently and helplessly as she watched Astrid flip out her mobile phone. In five minutes, all of Astrid’s friends would know whom she’d bumped into. Damn her. But there was nothing Paige could do, since hurling a carton of milk at Astrid’s immaculate head was probably against the law. No, she’d have to suck it up, buttercup.

Chapter Four
    Paige glanced around the kitchen. Everything was ready for the party. The food from Carlotta’s Bistro had been delivered, and all the chafing dishes were set up in the dining room. In the last fifteen minutes, guests had been arriving and gathering in the formal living room with Owen.
    As the chatter filtered down the hallway, Paige drummed her fingernails on the kitchen counter. Soon, she’d have to enter that living room with a tray of champagne flutes and face everyone for the first time. She didn’t like to admit it, but she was nervous about tonight, about appearing as Owen’s housekeeper in front of Nate and Ally and the rest of their friends. They had no reason to feel kindly toward her. In the past Paige wouldn’t have cared whether casual acquaintances liked her or not, but after her run-in with Astrid yesterday, she was fresh out of chutzpah.
    And how would Owen treat her in front of his friends? He wasn’t a cruel man, but he might not be able to resist a dig or two at her expense. She couldn’t let him get to her. Which was why, after preparing the dining room, she had dashed back to her cottage and