Read Online Energized by Mary Behre - Free Book Online Page A

“But I can tell you something I couldn’t possibly know.”
    He arched an eyebrow. “What’s that?”
    She stepped closer and dropped her voice to a whisper, “You’re in love with Paulie and you’re afraid to tell your brother you’re gay.”
    â€œI’m not!” Ross paled beneath his golden tan and his eyes went wide and dark. “I-I mean . . . Who told you I’m gay?” He all but whispered the last word.
    â€œYou did, when you handed me the pen.” She stepped to the side, clearing his way to the door. She wasn’t surprised when he didn’t move. Except for her college boyfriend, everyone who’d learned of her gift thought it was cool. But Bryan had taught her that it could be a curse.
    Ross’s color flooded back into his cheeks and his face split into a wide grin. “That is so boss! Can you do it all the time? With everyone? If I give you something of Paulie’s, can you tell me if he’s in love with me too?”
    And again, Ross reminded her more of a happy child than a business owner. And this was the reaction she was used to receiving. Like being with old friends, it warmed her. Once again the universe proved her decision to come to Tidewater had been the right one. Surely, his easy acceptance of her gift meant she was on the right path. Still, she needed to calm him down.
    â€œWait a sec.” She leaned against the closed the door again. “First, I can’t do it with everything. Like I said, metal objects work best. Second, don’t you want to figure out your relationship on your own? I mean, where’s the fun if you already know what’s in his head? And I’m not a relationship counselor, but it sounds like you two need to talk.”
    Ross’s smiled dimmed, marginally. “You’re right. I know you are. And you totally have the job. Just . . . just don’t tell Niall about, well, me being gay.”
    â€œYour secret is safe. Besides, that’s something you’ll want to tell him yourself, isn’t it?”
    â€œRight. Of course. When the time is right.” He smiled at her. Big. Really, really big. “We’ve got other things to think about now.”
    Something in his overly bright expression made her nervous. “Ross, would you mind keeping my little ability to yourself?”
    â€œOh, sweetie, you’re in Tidewater. There are more folks in this city like you than you realize, but sure. No one will hear about your talent from me. It’s probably best anyway. We want Niall to get to know you before he hears you can . . . well, you know. He might not take it well. At least not at first. He’s very narrow-minded. A great guy, but he has one way of seeing the world and he might not understand this.”
    Not from her perspective. Niall had seemed lost and lonely when she’d met him six months ago. But not narrow-minded. Sure, he’d been skeptical of her abilities but he had seemed to accept them. Then again, they’d been more interested in getting naked that night.
    Honestly, what did she really know about him? He hadn’t jumped up and said he believed her when she’d showed him what she could do. He hadn’t denied it either. She’d have to consider it. Right now, her biggest concern was his potential reaction to seeing her in his eatery.
    â€œStill, Niall’s a great guy. Once he warms up, he’ll accept you.”
    Hannah didn’t point out that for all his confidence about Niall accepting her, Ross was still firmly in the closet and showing no signs of coming out anytime soon.
    â€œIt’ll be a week or two . . . at most a month before he figures out what you can do,” Ross said in a rush, color high in his cheeks and his eyes bright with excitement. “Probably less. He’s really smart.”
    Her conscience pricked. She really should say that she knew Niall. But