Read Online A Phantom Enchantment by Eve Marie Mont - Free Book Online Page A

Flynn can work on the score.”
    â€œAnd what will I do?” Elise asked.
    â€œYou, my dear, will sing the part of Christine when we win the competition,” I said.
    This seemed to appease her for the moment.
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    But the opera project was the least of Elise’s concerns over the next few weeks as a real love triangle emerged between her, Owen, and Jean-Claude. Elise seemed to enjoy it, encouraging both of them when the other wasn’t around and making promises she had no intentions of keeping. All of this made for some interesting screwball comedy scenarios that might have been funny if Owen’s feelings hadn’t been at stake.
    Owen and Flynn were staying at a hostel a few blocks from our dorm but frequently showed up unannounced. On one of these occasions, Elise burst into my room with Jean-Claude and asked me to let him hide out there until I heard the toilet flush, at which point I was supposed to sneak him out my door. The first time it happened, I acquiesced, but I felt so guilty about it later that I finally confronted her in her room.
    â€œSo what’s going on with you and Jean-Claude?” I asked.
    â€œWe’re just having some fun.”
    â€œWhat about Owen? I thought you liked him.”
    â€œI do,” she said. “But what he doesn’t know won’t hurt him. Besides we never said we were exclusive.”
    â€œJust because you never said it doesn’t mean he can’t be hurt. He’s my friend, too.”
    â€œYeah, that’s why you kissed Flynn last year even though you knew Owen was in love with you?” she said, her voice growing icy.
    I felt like I’d been punched in the gut. “Whoa, this doesn’t need to get nasty. I knew that was a mistake and I was so sorry for it. That’s why I’m trying to prevent him from getting hurt again.”
    â€œI know, you’re right,” she said. “I’m sorry. It’s just . . . my parents’ divorce is really getting to me. I think I’ve lost faith in relationships. It seems easier to have a lot of meaningless ones than to try to hold on to something real. Does that make any sense?”
    â€œI guess,” I said.
    â€œCan I tell you something?” she said. “I get freaked out when a guy starts getting all mushy and romantic. I think to myself, Can’t we just have a good time and not start making big romantic proclamations to each other?”
    I laughed, but inside I wondered if Owen had used the “L” word and scared her off. The thought of Owen telling Elise he loved her made me more jealous than I cared to admit.
    â€œIt sounds like you’re afraid of getting serious,” I said. “Because that’s when hearts get broken.”
    Her briefly vulnerable attitude turned steely and remote again. “I’m not afraid of anything,” she said. “I like boys, Emma. Cute ones. Do you know how many hot musicians go to Berklee?”
    â€œBerkeley, California?”
    â€œNo, Berklee College of Music. It’s in Boston.”
    â€œIs that where you’re going next year?”
    â€œIf I get in. I applied early action, so I should know by the end of January. If I don’t get in I’m going to kill myself.”
    â€œThat’s a little dramatic.”
    â€œNo, Emma, you don’t understand. I was meant to go there. That school is my soul mate.” I couldn’t help but laugh. Whatever commitment she lacked in her love life she certainly made up for in her college devotion. “What about you?” she asked. “Have you decided where you’re going?”
    â€œI’m leaning toward Amherst or Hampshire, but with Gray stationed in Miami, I applied to the university there. My dad doesn’t know about it.”
    â€œLook at you, Miss Rebel,” she said.
    The truth was, I couldn’t really see myself in Miami. But I wasn’t sure I wanted to stay in Massachusetts,