Read Online RecruitZ (Afterworld Series) by Karice Bolton - Free Book Online Page B

across to his. “And we’ll make everyone involved pay for what they’ve done.”
    Preston nodded and a hint of a smile shattered the stern look on his face.
    “Now let’s come up with a way to make my friends remember the old Rebekah,” I said, motioning for Baily to come over.
    “Why don’t you tell me about her so I can help?” he asked, his eyes lighting up.
    Baily walked over to take our order. Before she left the table her eyes connected with mine, asking for permission. I knew what she wanted, and he was sitting right in front of me. I smiled and laughed, nodding at Baily, as I glanced at Preston. Poor guy. He didn’t have the slightest clue. He was definitely attractive and quite attentive if the situation called for it, and his strength was very impressive. His lip curled up slightly as he watched my gaze wash over him, and I turned beet red.
    “So let me hear about the old Rebekah,” he started again.
    I shook off my embarrassment and tried to reach in for the old me. It seemed so long ago. I thought about who I’d been pre-outbreak—even during the outbreak—and realized that was the same person. I didn’t actually change until Gavin…
    “I was an art history major,” I began. “I wanted to work at a gallery when I grew up.” I curled my fingers in quotes around the last phrase and smiled. “I didn’t have a care in the world beyond getting through school and talking my way into bringing Gavin to every family function and vacation we had. We met in junior high,” I stopped myself as Gavin’s last words slammed into me, “loved you since my sixteenth birthday…”
    “Going down memory lane isn’t really working for me,” I said, locking my gaze on Preston’s. “I’d like to hear about the old you...”
    “My brother and father were killed during the outbreak. I was able to keep my mother and sister alive, only to have them stolen from me after the outbreak,” he stopped himself and sighed, realizing he wasn’t able to separate yesteryear from the present year either.
    “Not so easy to talk about the other life is it?” I asked softly, twisting my lips.
    He shook his head, “Seems almost impossible.”
    We both sat quietly, each wondering how to start a new friendship based on an unidentifiable history. I wasn’t even sure it was possible. If the only thing uniting two people was something as horrendous as what was behind us, was it even worth it?
    “I used to love peppermint ice cream. I could outdrink any guy in college. Halloween used to be my favorite holiday. I loved twinkle lights. I hated to cook, but I loved to bake. I used to love to read. I used to spend my afternoons daydreaming. I loved taking long walks on the beach,” I teased, as I glanced at Baily who was bringing over our food.
    She set our plates down and handed Preston an extra napkin. I spotted her scribble on it and chuckled internally. Preston set the napkin aside. I wasn’t even sure if he noticed her number.
    “Why don’t you try listing everything again and this time make it present tense,” he said quietly, as he stared at me intently.
    I took a shaky breath in and began again, “ I love peppermint ice-cream. I can outdrink any guy in college. Halloween is my favorite holiday. I love twinkle lights. I hate to cook, but I love to bake. I love to read. I spend my afternoons daydreaming. And I absolutely hate taking long walks on the beach.”
    It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my chest, and I had no idea why.
    “I think I would’ve liked the old Rebekah,” he said, smiling.
    “Me too,” I replied.
    His eyes flicked to mine. “So you are or aren’t into long walks on a beach?”
    I smiled and laughed. “Not my thing, unless I’m chasing something.”
    “Is that the new or old Rebekah talking?” he laughed.
    “I think in that instance it’s one in the same.”
    “Fair enough.” He smiled. “So I think you should work at Shackles. I think it would be a good cover.”
    That