His Love Lesson Read Online Free

most was that the voice sounded much like Todd’s.
    Chey ran to the window, looked down onto the street and balked. Moving back, she hoped he hadn’t seen her. Todd called her again. How had he found her?
    â€œI saw you, Chey. Now please, open the door.”
    Chey couldn’t believe this was happening. Containing a sudden urge to scream, she balled up her fists and traipsed four flights down to the entrance. She wanted to leave him there but figured that ignoring him would cause a scene.
    Chey swung the door open. Todd stood there looking foolish to her with a bouquet of flowers that had been purchased from the corner store at the end of her block. It was an obvious afterthought.
    Holding the flowers out to her, he asked, “Can I come in already? It’s freezing out here.”
    Chey rolled her eyes, snatched the flowers from his hand and turned around. Todd followed her up to her apartment. Once inside, Chey turned around and faced him with her arms across her chest.
    â€œHow did you find me?”
    â€œIt was easy.” Todd scrunched his face, dismissing her question. “Your mother eventually told my mother. She was concerned.” He clapped his hands. “Now let’s talk about you coming on home.” He spoke to her, but his eyes took in the small neat space around them. “This is where you’re living?” he asked with an expression that resembled disgust.
    â€œYes, this is where I’m living, and no, I’m not coming home.” Chey took a breath. She was going to have to speak to her mother—again! She’d asked her not to tell Todd that she’d moved to New York. No matter how many times she said it, she couldn’t convince Mrs. Rodgers that Todd wasn’t the right man for her. She had been concerned only with the fact that he would have been a great provider. Coming from humble means, Chey understood but wasn’t willing to let her dreams die under Todd’s misogynistic thumb.
    Exasperated, Todd grunted. “Okay, what’s this really about?” Chey couldn’t believe his attitude. “I’ve given you time. You should be back in Virginia planning our wedding.”
    â€œTodd! There won’t be a wedding!”
    â€œWhat’s gotten into you?” He looked genuinely confused.
    â€œSense! That’s what!”
    His face changed; his new look bordered anger. “You’re saying being with me didn’t make sense. I’m a prominent attorney. Need I remind you that I’m being promoted to partner? I come from a wealthy family. Certainly it makes more sense for you to be with me than any other man. Who else could offer the life I’m capable of providing for you?” His expression changed again as if he’d just put the pieces of a puzzle together. “That’s it! There’s another man.” Todd stepped past her as if he would find him in the apartment. “Where is he?”
    â€œTodd!” Chey dropped her head and groaned. “There’s no other man!”
    â€œSo why did you run away?”
    â€œUgh! I don’t want to marry you?”
    â€œWhy on earth not?” Todd was baffled.
    â€œBecause you don’t respect me?”
    Todd gave a dismissive wave. “Of course I do.”
    â€œNo, you don’t. I have no interest in being the kind of wife you’re looking for.”
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?” Todd remained clearly confused.
    â€œI want to work, make my own living. I have a dream to become a perfumer.” Todd cut his eyes toward the ceiling. “See what I mean? That’s my passion and I can’t be with a man who wants to control every facet of my life and would never support my dreams.”
    â€œYour dream is silly! I mean, really. Who makes a living creating concoctions in the kitchen sink? My wife doesn’t need to work. Your job would be to raise our kids. Wouldn’t that be enough?”
    Chey