Read Online Mina's Heart by Michele Zurlo - Free Book Online Page A

midsection. “But then you kissed me after I said I didn’t kiss on the first date.”
    She didn’t know what kind of response she’d expected—a little bit of remorse, perhaps? He displayed nothing approaching repentance.
    Instead he flashed a devilish grin. “There’s a good chance I’ll do it again. Don’t worry; I won’t expect you to kiss me back until the second date. I’m a patient man. I can wait until tomorrow.”
    Having taken men to task many times, Mina didn’t know what to do with the fact that Ever didn’t react the way he was supposed to. He didn’t seem acquainted with shame or guilt. Shaking her head and wondering what trouble she was courting, she got into the car and put on her seat belt.
    Ever held her hand as she drove. It turned out he lived in an apartment complex less than a mile from town, so the trip was short. She waited in the car until he came around and opened the door. It seemed like the right thing to do.
    He grinned as he helped her out of the car. “You’re learning. I like how quickly you pick up on the important things.”
    This old-fashioned show of manners wasn’t important to her, but it was to him. In a departure from her normal attitude, her date’s preferences made a difference to Mina. She felt connected to him, a perception that had been missing from her association with any previous man she’d dated.
    But his compliment had been delivered with a flirtatious twist of his lips, and that deserved an equal response. She returned his grin. “Smart women are hot.”
    He laughed. “That’s definitely part of what I like about you.”
    The lobby of the building was clean and modern, which made sense because it had been built the summer before. Mina couldn’t remember what they’d torn down to make room. Signs in the lobby pointed the way to the swimming pool and workout facilities. Everett led her through the maze of empty chairs and sofas to a pair of elevators.
    “How long have you lived here?”
    “Since it opened. My grandparents left Wild and me some land. I’m saving up to build a house.”
    He didn’t look all that much like he wanted to talk about it, so Mina dropped the topic. If she had been in his shoes, she would have lived with her mother to save up the money. As it was, she scrounged for freelance work. She was saving her earnings to put down on a nice little bungalow just outside Santa Monica. Once she convinced her mother to move, she could reapply for the job she wanted and head west.
    “What about you?” he asked, returning her attention to the moment. “What are your postcollege plans?”
    Telling her date she had zero intention of staying in the state where he owned land and was planning to build a house would probably put a damper on things. Mina shrugged. “I have several offers, but I’m going to stay around here for a little while. My mom needs me.”
    He nodded at that. “Family is important. Just don’t let it hold you back.”
    The elevator doors slid open, and he ushered her inside. She laughed nervously at his warning. “Are you saying I should accept a job on the other side of the country?”
    He ran his thumb along his jaw as he considered her question. Since he lived on the third floor, the trip didn’t take long. They were at the door to his apartment before he answered. “If that’s what you want, then nobody who cares about you would begrudge you the opportunity.”
    She had a similar opinion, but her mother wasn’t the problem. Jin Ae had urged Mina to accept any job Mina wanted. Her mother had told Mina that she shouldn’t be a factor in her career decision. But she was. Mina, as she had her whole life, felt responsible for her mother. Growing up, she’d maintained perfect behavior and grades because she knew her mother would be punished for her transgressions. Her father had stated on many occasions that her behavior reflected her mother’s parenting ability.
    Ever paused with his hand on the knob. “I