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

suck in a sharp breath at the zing that hits my tender muscles and takes the pain away. The kiss lasts only a second before he turns, pulls his hood back on and disappears into the night. That is way better without the mask on.

Chapter 7

Kassy and I slept in for once this morning and I woke up feeling energized and ready for what I’m sure will be another emotionally taxing day. I’m ready for Gavin to give me some answers, but I’m also extremely nervous to meet the family of both of my big crushes in one day.

Of course, the two boys I’ve been crazy about turned out to be the same guy, to my amazement. I’m starting to feel like I’m in some sort of soap opera and I’m about to get caught in a love triangle between Gavin, myself and his evil twin.

After today, I hope to be able to confide in Kassy completely. Who knows where I’ll end up? I want my best friend to know the real me.

She sits across from me where I stand at the kitchen island, absently playing with my fruit loops. She just informed me that Liam is picking her up soon and they’re seeing a matinee at the theater in town. I figure this is a good opening for my news, so I stand straighter.

“So, Kass, speaking of boys... Uh, Gavin is taking me to meet his family today.” I blurt out, sporting my signature pink cheeks.

Kassy's jaw drops, nearly to her chest. “Are you guys boyfriend and girlfriend already?!”

“No. Well, I mean, I don't think so. I’m sure I would definitely know if we were…right?”

She laughs. “Aw, my sweet El. Usually, the girlfriend knows when she is, in fact, the girlfriend. You knew with Mason Kendrick, didn't you?”

I wrinkle my nose at the name of the only boy I ever dated in high school. Mason was a senior when I was a junior and we dated all of his last year, up until he left for college and decided we were just too different for it to last. I knew from the beginning that we wouldn't stay together. He didn't look at me as if he were in love with me and we were very opposite in most things.

“Well, this is an extremely different situation. I loved Mason but I don't think it was ever ‘couple’ love. We dated because we were friends and wanted an excuse to be near one another. I mean, we barely kissed. I honestly couldn't even tell you what it feels like to kiss someone I'm in love with.” I pause. “But, with Gavin, he just sweeps in and is so sweet and makes me feel like the most important person in his world.”

I sigh at the memory of waking up in his arms in the school parking lot after he had swept me away. “Then, he just disappears without another word only to pop up again, causing me to nearly faint at the way he looks at me and then leaves me drooling at his retreating back. We met a week ago, haven’t kissed or gone on an actual date but I can’t get his stupidly perfect face out of my head.” I shrug my shoulders at her. “Define that, Kass.”

“Wow…I have absolutely no advice on that one.” She sighs and then looks out the front window again. “But, Luckily, you can just ask him what he thinks. He's right outside.”

It suddenly hits me just how important this day could be. My palms start to sweat so I quickly wipe them on my faded jeans and make sure my trusty bruise-covering scarf is in place before opening the front door.

Gavin stands in front of me on the porch with his fist in the air, as if he were about to knock. He is wearing relaxed dark blue jeans and a plain white t-shirt that fits snugly across his broad chest. I can’t help but think that he could probably make anything look good. He could show up on my doorstep dressed as a clown and I'd still want to wrap myself around him and never let go.

As I peruse him, the corner of Gavin's lips lifts on one side, showing me his one perfect dimple. His fake brown eyes, which I can now see specks of gold through, rove over my face until they land on the scarf wrapped around my neck. His crooked smile disappears and is replaced by a sorrowful expression.

He finally breaks the silence. “Good morning, Aella.”

“Good morning, Gavin,” I say back.

Kassy clears her throat. “Are you guys going to just stand in the doorway all day, cause I kinda have somewhere to be?” She gestures behind Gavin to a patiently waiting Liam.

Heat rises to my cheeks as I realize that Kassy and Liam have just been watching Gavin and I gawk at one another.

Gavin steps aside and gives Kassy a short wave. “Good morning to you too, Kassy and Liam.” He turns and shakes Liam's hand.

I step outside and stand on my tippy toes so I can give Liam a hug. “You two are perfect for each other,” I whisper in his ear, so the others won't hear.

He steps back and winks at me before turning to Kassy and taking her hand in his. “You ready, shorty?” he teases her.

She shoves him on the arm, barely moving him an inch, and fake pouts. “You don't know that I'm done growing!” she whines.

He just laughs out loud like he has never heard something so funny, which only makes her pouting lips stick out further. Seemingly forgetting that Gavin and I are still here, Liam’s hand cups Kassy’s face and he rubs his thumb along her bottom lip, effectively stopping her pouting in its tracks. She sighs at the contact and then pulls him off the porch with her.

“We'll be home before dark, El. Have fun with the fam!” She throws over her shoulder with a wink of