Read Online The Summer Solstice ~ Enchanted by K.K. Allen - Free Book Online Page A

his problem?
    Charlotte clears her voice, forcing my eyes to meet
hers. Heat fills my cheeks. “The Summer salad is great,” she winks at me now. I
forget about the waiter and laugh with her. I like that Charlotte is playful.
    My eyes scan the menu. “Do you want me to come back?”
A gruff voice asks above us. He speaks. I raise an eyebrow to his rough
tone and impatient demeanor, and then lift my face to tilt my head at him. I
can’t help but notice his unshaven face and tired eyes. He hasn’t slept much.
    “We’ll have two chicken salad wraps with fries.”
Charlotte orders for us and hands him the menus. His eyes are directly on me
now with a chilling look that could shatter my bones. With a nod, he turns and
walks away.
    Are all of the people in this town strange?
    I excuse myself for the restroom once we’re done
eating. Since I have to pass by Iris, Ava, and Alec’s table, they see me.
Alec’s eyes widen in recognition. “Hey!”
    The excitement in his voice brings a smile to my
face. “Hi.”
    “We’re about to play some pool. Wanna join us? We
need a fourth.” I almost can’t believe that this is the same guy from the beach
that first night.
    I look behind my shoulder at Charlotte and she must
understand what’s going on because she gets up and walks over to us.
    I turn back to face Alec. “I’ve never played pool
before.” I must sound dejected because Iris and Ava eat it up.
    “If she’s playing she’s on your team Alec.” Ava
says, eyes glaring.
    If the girls want me to feel uncomfortable they are
successful. I swallow a knot of air, eyes wide, and back on Alec. His smile is
reassuring. “Fine by me.”
    “Hi Kat.” Charlotte approaches us. “Everything
okay?”
    Alec extends a hand to her. “Ms. – Charlotte.
I’m Alec Stone. I live a few houses down from you.”
    Charlotte’s eyes grow wide with recognition and a
smile spreads across her face. “Oh yes, Alec. So nice to meet you.”
    “We were just asking Kat if she wanted to play some
pool. I can walk her home if you didn’t want to wait around.”
    Charlotte searches my expression for something
– maybe my approval or disapproval. Then she looks to the two blondes and
smiles at them. “Hello.” But she doesn’t linger there. Her eyes are back on
Alec. “Okay. I’m going to head back. Kat, if you need anything call or text me.
Have fun.”
    I sigh thankfully, knowing that she’ll talk Rose
down before I get home.
    I head to the restroom before meeting the group at
the pool game. They’ve already set up the balls in a colorful triangular shape.
I’ve only watched others play, so the pole thing is weird in my grasp.
    Alec helps me position the stick in my hands, as he
does, I can feel his breath over my shoulder and I stiffen. He smells fresh and
laundered. I see him smile at me from the corner of my eye. Once I have the
positioning right he tells me to aim for the white ball. The white ball is supposed
to hit the solid ball behind it. If done correctly, the solid ball will go in
the pocket to my left.
    As complicated as it sounds and feels at first, I
get the hang of it after my first couple of turns. Iris and Ava flaunt around
the table, taking their time, pouting their lips in true show-off fashion. Iris
misses every shot but she finds a great excuse each time. “I swear. This table
is so crooked.”
    Alec is great at pool, but after talking to him a
bit more between turns, I find out that he’s great at a lot of things. In the
winter he plays football for Apollo Beach High School and during the spring he
plays basketball.
    It’s the first time I’m really getting a sense for
who Alec is. The two other times we’ve bumped into each other were awkward and
rushed. This time, I pay close attention to his relaxed demeanor and playful
tone with Iris and Ava. Their reactions make it clear that there is more than
friendship there – at least for the girls. If I’m not mistaken, Ava seems
to have the hots for Alec too,