Read Online Entangled Summer by Michele Barrow-Belisle - Free Book Online

programs and groaned. “Not another improv class,” she muttered around the lolli sticking out of her mouth.
    “Stop complaining. How you managed to sleep your way into the drama department while I’m stuck making Pinocchios, I have no idea.” Supposedly every department had been full when we were hired, yet after one magical night with the head of the drama camp and boom, suddenly a spot opened up for her.
    She giggled with pride. “I know right. And you’re the one who’s dating the owner. You should have your pick of jobs.” She winked.
    I added milk and honey to my coffee then sat next to her, tucking one foot under me. “We’re hardly dating.”
    “Alright, I know it’s been a while, but sequential evenings out together, alone... those are called dates.” She drew out her sentence and pronounced each word slowly.
    “I’ve seen him spend time with lots of the staff Kenzie.”
    “You are rockin some serious denial. He doesn’t stare at them with bedroom eyes like he does you.” She held up her hands. “Quit being all badass-no-one-can-hurt-me-again, and let it in.”
    “Okay Dr. Phil. Any more love advice from someone who's never had the same guy in her bed more than twice?”
    “Hey, I had that goth guy at least five times. And so not the point, we're discussing you and your ‘ no strings attached’ rule,” she said making air quotes. “You've got to let it go hon. Troy is real and he's pretty amazing and he's rock-hard into you, despite all of your crazy.”
    I ignored her, took a sip of coffee and scanned my schedule. First off, an appointment with Dr. Strange. My turn to groan. “God. I hate these meetings.” The woman was convinced that one day my imaginary dream boyfriend was going to step into my real world. As if that was even possible. “Care to share some of your good luck? You signed on the dotted line and landed the perfect summer job. Meanwhile, I signed in my own blood then watched as Grace Strange locked my soul away in her mahogany file cabinet.”
    Kenzie popped her lollipop out of her mouth. “Now who's being dramatic?”
    “Easy for you to say. You're not the one they've forced into counseling, are you.”
    “Did you ever stop think this could be good for you honey? That maybe the cosmos lined it up for you as a gift, not a punishment.”
    “The cosmos. Are you for real right now?” I gave a sarcastic laugh. “Anyway, when have the cosmos or any other celestial body ever been on my side? They weren’t on my side when they took my parents and left me to be raised by my grandparents. They weren't on my side when they took my grandmother. And they definitely weren't on my side when they gave grandfather lung cancer and dementia one week then foreclosed on his house the next. So don't talk to me about this being part of a divine plan. It’s not. It just more of the crappy luck I've been cursed with my entire life.”
    “Way to be positive, buzzkill. Just sayin, there's a higher purpose for everything Nora, including you.”
    She was as serious as I'd ever heard her. But I didn't care, I was closed off to anything else she had to say. “So what's the higher purpose to making me fall in love with someone from my dreams, and branding me a lunatic? Huh?” I waved my arms around me. “What's the great plan there?”
    Kenzie leaned her head against her hand, and studied me. “Hon, don’t take this the wrong way, but I think you’d be less tense if you had sex. Just once, even.”
    Staring at her a moment, I shook my head. “Annnnd, I’m leaving now.” I slid down from the bar stool, yanked my hair back into a pony and snapped an elastic in place.
    “Whoa. Just chill out. Here,” she frowned, “have a drink.” She dropped her lime green lollipop into her glass of vodka pineapple juice, and handed it to me. “You're getting all steamed over nothing. You have to meet with the counsellor, teach a few snot-nosed kiddos how to make puppets and put on a play. And