Read Online The Compendium by Christine Hart - Free Book Online Page B

spent the last few years hanging out with homeless people, you’d have an appreciation for what you really need in life.”
    I narrowed my eyes as I glared at him. I never had gadgets or luxuries growing up. Mom and Darryl had less than half of what Ivan gave you. Ilya rolled his eyes and turned his back continuing to concentrate on my phone. I took a deep breath and looked up at the sky to stop myself from thinking anything else.
    “David Wong emailed me already. He wanted to make sure he had my address right. Cole, you were all up on the journalist plan, so I’m giving him your email now. In the meantime, let’s hit the Pike Place Market before we meet up with Josh. I’ve never been,” said Faith.
    “Oooo, that sounds like fun!” I said, and hoped I didn’t sound as sarcastic as I felt.
    “According to the map, we need to be downtown for Josh’s work and apartment, so why not?” Ilya kept texting.
    “We need something fun right now, Irina,” said Jonah.
    Ilya directed Cole to a parking lot down the street from Pike Place. The tiny lot was attended by an old man who wanted fifteen dollars per hour to park, the first hour up front in cash. Jonah paid him and we left the car.
    Pike Street overflowed with pedestrians. A sunny summer day brought hordes of tourists to blend with the already eclectic mix of hippies, students, and business people. Suits and sarongs, bandanas and backpacks all churned in a sea of human traffic.
    We made our way to the entrance under the iconic PUBLIC MARKET CENTER neon sign. The huge clock told us it was nearly three. Josh returned Ilya’s text and asked us to meet him at a nearby diner in a couple hours at five o’clock.
    As we fell in with a stream of people flowing under the sign, I saw the famous fish market. Their workers were busy throwing fish and shouting, decked in rubber overalls as though they had just stepped off a fishing boat.
    “Let’s split up. I want to browse around and I don’t want to hear any crap about boring anybody,” said Faith.
    “We’ve got two hours before we meet Josh. Shall we say, back here at quarter to five?” said Ilya.
    “Sweet!” Faith turned on her heel and veered into the nearest trinket shop.
    “Has everyone got money?” asked Cole. We all nodded and Cole left.
    “There’s a sweet record shop downstairs. I’ll be there if anyone’s looking for me.” Ilya followed Cole.
    Jonah and I were left to watch the fishmongers on our own. Neither of us said a word or moved to leave. My pulse quickened as our silence stretched on. Jonah gently took my hand. I squeezed it and released my grip.
    “The incident at the park makes me more certain we can’t be together,” I said softly, barely audible over the chatter around us.
    Jonah leaned down and whispered in my ear. “I don’t care anymore. If I’m going to die anyway, I’d rather be with you before it happens. What’s an extra few days or months in the scope of someone’s life?” His lips almost brushed my skin. The feel of his breath against me sent a tingle through my body. Anger replaced the attraction a heartbeat later.
    “Don’t talk like that.” I threw Jonah’s hand back at him and started toward the stairwell.
    “We need to talk about it, so why not now?” Jonah caught up with me.
    “Let’s enjoy the Market. We’ll talk later, I promise.” Good luck getting me alone after today , I thought, vowing not to give Jonah the chance to corner me again. To change the subject, I said, “I think Faith and Ilya are getting back together.”
    “Really? Good, I’m glad she’s moving on.”
    I exited the stairwell on the next floor down with Jonah next to me. I started browsing a table of leather goods set up in a room off the main hallway. “I walked in on them the other day. It surprised me too. Ilya said he still loved her, but that he refused to make a move until he was sure she’d gotten over you.”
    “Faith probably started it then. She doesn’t keep secrets or