Intended Series Collection: Books 1-6 by Abigail Grant (best summer books .txt) 📗

her chest out and fluffs up her hair as if she is preparing to take on the world in the next breath. But the words that come out are ones that I have been waiting to hear since the first time I came to her rescue in the 5th grade.

“El, I know you have some secret that we both just pretend isn't there. I’ve always thought it had something to do with your parents, so I haven’t pushed.” I freeze. “I don't expect you to confide in me right this second, but I really hope you understand that you can trust me with your life. I would never intentionally do anything to hurt you.” She holds eye contact with me, unflinching, to show she means what she is saying.

My eyes begin to water, and I nod my head. “I know it's time for me to open up. Soon, we will have an epic girl’s night and I will tell you anything and everything you want to know, I promise.”

She perks up and wipes the back of her hand across her pink cheek. “Works for me, now go find a scarf so everyone doesn't think you're living with an abusive best friend.” She gives me a real smile and pushes me out of the bathroom.

I see her lean into the mirror and touch up her hair and makeup even though it is already spotless. I raise my eyebrows at her in question. “Have a hot date or something?” I tease.

She just shrugs. “I guess you could say that.” She says like it’s no big deal at all.

“Wait, what?” I yell in shock. “There is no way I am letting you go anywhere with that maniac...”

She quickly cuts me off before I completely lose it on her. “Woah, calm down mamma bear! How dumb do you think I am? I'm not going anywhere with Max. Seriously, El.” She turns back to the mirror looking slightly offended but just scoffs and goes back to primping. “It's Liam. He asked if I'd spend the day with him and I thought it sounded nice. He is picking me up in a few minutes.”

I catch a light blush creep across her cheek and blanch at the sight. Kassy never blushes, well, not until now apparently.

“Now it's my turn to say O.M.G! You like him! You like him a lot!” I grin from ear to ear, enjoying this rare Kassy embarrassment.

“Nobody says O.M.G. anymore, El.” She rolls her eyes at me like I do at her when she is being dramatic. “Besides, he is cute and sweet and funny.” She closes her eyes for a moment before looking at me. “And I like him, okay? A lot.” She emphasizes the last two words, mocking my voice with a silly look on her face.

“Finally! I'm just going to say this once and then we can move on.” I point my finger in her direction, unable to hold in my excitement. “I was right!” I revel in her happiness. “Oh, and I don't sound like that.”

“Fine. Happy now, sore winner?” There is a knock on the door and Kassy has to wipe her sweaty hands on her pants before answering it.

Liam steps inside, full grin showing, with a single red rose in his hand. “So, I’m hoping you like flowers.” He holds out the rose.

Kassy takes the flower from him and smells it. She stands on her tiptoes and kisses him on the cheek. “You are such a cheese ball; you know that?”

He smiles even wider, which I didn’t know was possible. “Hey, I love cheese balls, so thank you very much.” He scoops her up in his arms and tickles her senseless. Kassy squeals and hits him softly through fits of girlish laughter.

I lean against the wall with my arms crossed and clear my throat loudly. Liam sets Kassy down and stands up straight. “Sorry, El. Do you want to be tickled too?”

I shake my head. “No thanks. I am just realizing how quickly I have become the third wheel and it’s quite depressing.” I try to hide my smile when I see their hands entwined. “Okay, not that depressing. Can you guys not be so disgustingly cute though?”

“Nope.” they say at the same time and they both burst out in laughter. I actually could faint at the cuteness.

Kassy turns to me. “Okay, we’re leaving but I’ll text you later. Don’t get too bored all alone.”

I wave her off. “I’ll be fine. I’ve got books, television and junk food. My three favorite things.”

“Later, then!” Liam drags Kassy away and they both wave goodbye as I settle in for the day with a good book.

***

As I lay in bed, my ever-running brain is relentlessly keeping me awake with the fear of falling deep into a nightmare. Since I’ve arrived in Jacksonville, my whole world has changed. I don’t have Aunt Mags to take care of and reassure me anymore, and it feels like something dangerous is closing in. There is something dark out there that seeks to ruin me and my friends for seemingly no reason.

Not everything in my new life is negative though. I have, somehow way too easily, fallen for two guys. Growing up, boys never interested me much. Could it be that my boy crazed teenage years are just a little behind? If these kinds of feelings are going to come bursting out for every cute boy I run into, I may need to have Kassy lock me up.

Just as the early trickle of sleep starts to fog my racing thoughts, I hear a soft tapping on the outside of my window. I crawl out of bed and hesitate before I dare peak behind my closed curtain into the night. I’m able to build up the courage and shock washes over me as I stare through the single pane of glass.

He stands just outside my bedroom, still covered completely in black, except for those miraculous irises. I unlatch the center of the casement window, swinging it