Read Online Spain or Shine by Michelle Jellen - Free Book Online Page A

boy in every way. That was why Elena practically lost her balance when he said, “Pleasure meeting you,” in a distinctly British accent.
    â€œWait. You’re English?” Elena blurted before she could stop herself.
    â€œYes.” He nodded, clearly surprised by her reaction.
    â€œRight. Of course.” She snapped her jaw shut and pumped his hand. “Well, it’s nice to meet you.”
    â€œHey, Jenna,” Alex said casually.
    â€œWhat’s up?” She tossed him a sweet little smile. Elena thought she saw them hold each other’s gaze for a couple extra moments before Alex cut the silence.
    â€œSo, where should we go first?” Alex asked. They stood together watching the other diners strolling through the cobbled streets beside them, ambling in and out of open doorways and flocking around bars. The plan was to hop from bar to bar, tasting tapas at each place.
    â€œOkay, I have a plan,” Jenna announced. “It’s easy to find out where the best place is. You just have to figure out where the locals are going.”
    â€œBut they’re going all over the place,” Caitlin interjected.
    Jenna scanned the crowd, ignoring Caitlin’s comment. “There,” she shouted, then lowering her voice. “Follow those two.” She pointed in the direction of a chic Spanish couple in matching tight Versace pants.
    They tailed the young Spanish couple to a bright and airy bar. Bullfighting posters lined the walls, and cured hams hung from the ceilings. But the focal point of the restaurant was clearly the bar. Flocks of patrons stood chatting and drinking and nibbling from a collection of plates, each one nesting a small portion of food. Elena and her friends found an open spot where the bar curved toward the wall. They squeezed in and waited.
    â€œWhy isn’t anyone taking our order?” Caitlin groaned. It did seem that everyone around them was munching happily, while they were being ignored.
    â€œI wonder if there’s an age limit,” Elena ventured.
    â€œDefinitely not,” Jenna returned. “They would have carded us on the way in. Maybe we have to wave someone down.”
    â€œFirst time at a tapas bar, eh?” inquired the cute young guy standing beside Elena at the bar. They looked over at a boy with shaggy hair and rumpled clothes who spoke with what sounded like an Australian accent. “You just grab what you want and tell the bartender later.”
    â€œHow does he know you ate what you said you did?” Jenna asked.
    â€œHe doesn’t. It’s the honor system,” he returned. “Are you honorable?” This last question was playfully directed at Jenna.
    â€œWho me?” Jenna asked with mock innocence. “Of course.”
    Caitlin rolled her eyes and cut in. “So, we just grab these things and start eating?” she asked, leaning in for a plate of skewered shrimp.
    Elena glanced at Alex to gauge his reaction to Jenna’s newest flirtation, but he had already struck up a conversation with the Spanish couple they’d followed to the bar.
    â€œWhat’ll you ladies have to drink?” their new friend asked.
    â€œI’ll just have a Coke,” Elena responded as she reached for a plate of stuffed mushrooms.
    â€œA Coke?” Jenna shook her head. “There’s only one thing to drink at tapas bars. Sangrias all around.”
    Elena shrugged and popped a mushroom into her mouth, then switched places with Jenna at the bar so she could be closer to the boy of the moment. They learned his name was Paul, and he was actually from New Zealand. “I’m traveling for a while before I head back home and start working for my mum and dad,” he explained.
    â€œHow long is a while?” Jenna asked.
    â€œI’m not sure. Until my money runs out, I guess.”
    While Jenna flirted with Paul, Elena stood with Marci, Caitlin, and the boys—all of them sliding plates