Choices (New Beginnings #1) Read Online Free Page A

were striking and his smile was warm.
    "Um," she started, "thanks for ... you know."
    "Any time." He smiled.
    "Do you think we could start over right now and forget about all of this?"
    "In bed?" he smirked.
    "Look ..."
    "I'm just kidding," he said quickly and then held out his hand. "Hi, I'm Jason Marks."
    "Michaela Matthews." She took his hand and he smiled before releasing her and standing.
    "Whoever it was you were crying about is an idiot." He stopped before reaching the door. "I think we're going to be friends, Michaela Matthews." He was gone before she could respond.
    Michaela jumped in the shower and had to stop herself from sitting down and letting the hot water scorch away her tears . I am done crying. She told herself that over and over. If she repeated it enough, maybe it would be true . He wouldn't wait for me, so I will not cry over Ethan Walker anymore. He does not deserve my tears , she thought to herself, but do the seven years she spent with him deserve tears? What about the plans she made with him? No . She scrubbed vigorously until her skin felt raw. She wanted to hit something.
    Chris was waiting for her when she was finally dressed and they headed for a cafe around the corner.
    "I just want to say this," Michaela started after the waitress took their drink orders. “I’ve reached the point where you just can't cry anymore, so don't ask me how I'm doing. It's that breaking point where you either go into some deep depression or you move on with your life. I don't do depression, so I'm going to try to move on."
    "Does Jason have anything to do with this new outlook?"
    "Why would he?" she asked. "I wouldn't exactly say I'm his type."
    "What do you mean?"
    "He's gay."
    Chris almost spat water at her as he started laughing. “By the way he was holding you, I think he'd be pretty upset you thought so."
    Michaela suddenly felt stupid and stupidly self-conscious.
    "He doesn't have a problem with my preferences," Chris continued, "but he definitely likes women." The previous few hours flashed through her mind. She was such a wreck. His chest, his arms were the only things that kept her from floating away in her misery. "Stop!"
    "What?" she asked.
    "Don't even think about it," Chris commanded. "Jason is a good guy. He is not your rebound. In fact, don't rebound with any of my friends."
    "I'm not going to rebound!" she practically yelled before lowering her voice. "We just broke up."
    "Exactly. Trust me, sis. You will need a rebound sooner than you think. It'll get that ass out of your system."
    "I can't even hear this right now."
    "Well, that's not all I have to say. You've been holed up in your room for too long now. It's time to get back to your life. Law school orientation is in a few days. Are you ready?"
    "I'm not going," she said.
    "Don't make a decision you'll regret."
    "I'm not," Michaela said but was then interrupted by the waitress coming to take their order. "I'll have a cheeseburger, medium well, and fries. Mom hasn't let me have fries all summer."
    Chris ordered a turkey club and then turned back to her. "Mic ...”
    "No. While I was 'holed up in that room', I did a lot of thinking. I don't want to be a lawyer. At least not right now. So I won't."
    "Mom ...”
    "Mom can deal," she stated.
    "Can you stop interrupting me?" Chris was annoyed but there was something else in his voice. "I was going to say that Mom will be pissed, but I'm proud of you."
    "Oh," she said, smiling, "thanks."
    Their food came, and they focused on eating for a bit before Chris put down his sandwich and looked at her intently. "Okay, here's what you'll do. I assume you've already deferred Columbia. We can tell Mom and Dad you want some experience in a law firm first. My firm has an opening for a receptionist. I can get you the job and you can work there while figuring out your next step."
    Michaela could've jumped across the table and given her big brother a hug. He had everything figured out. She could stay in the city and work