Read Beyond the Stars for Free Online Page B

better,” I replied.
    “Well, Sami, the reason I’m calling is to see if you would want to go gliding with me today. I wouldn’t even ask you, but this is kind of a rare opportunity. My friend Regis just invited me to take his glider for a run. The weather today is perfect for it, so I already said yes. I would love it if you came with me,” he said enthusiastically. I was allured just by the sound of his voice.
    “You’re just dying to get me in a plane, aren’t you?” “It will be fun ,” he said in an enticing manner.
    “That sounds tempting, but I don’t know—,” I hesitated while considering his offer.
    “Please, I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise . You can trust me,” he pleaded.
    I sat quietly on the extension for a minute, just thinking about his words. I really wanted to see him. I wasn’t sure if the alcohol made him so attractive last night or if he really was that hot. Plus, I couldn’t let him think I was a big chicken. Oh, I hated saying no. “Okay, I’ll go, but you aren’t going to keep me up there for too long, right? ”
    I ignored my temporary loss of sanity.
    “No, of course not. We can just take a little cruise for some sightseeing.”
    “Okay, I’ll bring my camera. I could use some aerial shots for my album,” I stated, sounding pragmatic.
    “Can I pick you up in an hour?” he asked.
    “Perfect. I’ll be ready. The sooner you get here, the better. It will give me less time to change my mind,” I said. He laughed. Little did he know I was completely serious.
    “Don’t worry, you’ll be fine. I’ll see you at one o’clock then. Bye.”
    “Good-bye.” I hung up the receiver and quickly looked up at the kitchen clock, which read five minutes till twelve. I couldn’t believe I slept in this late. I hated drinking. I had already lost half of my day. I tore off my clothes and sprinted to the shower. I needed to try and look as good to him as I did last night. I got ready in record time. I left my hair down, just like I had worn it last night. I pulled on my black skort and a sleeveless coral sweater. I was grateful my mother brought me the outfit on one of our most recent shopping trips. It was my consolation prize for the torture I’d endured. The outing was the usual grueling day with my shopaholic mother. I generally tried to avoid getting in the car with her when she was in the mood to “run errands.” I became her victim out of guilt. I only agreed to join her to get some mother-daughter bonding time. Tragically, it always ended the same, with me pleading with her to take me home. She could spend the entire day going from shop to shop. I didn’t have the stamina or patience for that. I liked to go in a store, buy what I needed, and leave just as quickly as I had entered. I think that’s why my father was so thrilled to have a daughter. He pictured himself being relieved of all his shopping duties. Unfortunately for him, I hated it just as much as he did. Once I got older, we would fight over whose turn it was to go. “I went the last time,” we would each reply, trying to put the burden on each other.

CHAPTER 5

    AMAZED
     
    Jack arrived at my door exactly at one. What was with these people? I think it would be devastating if I stole all the atomic watches in the world. I swear they must hand out the satellite-controlled timepieces to every geek at birth. Although, deep down, I was happy not to have to wait one minute longer to see him. Jack declined my offer to drive, so we got in his car and left for our date. I couldn’t help notice him turn to talk to me while driving, appearing to not even glance at the road as we made a sharp right turn. He seemed to be functioning on autopilot. He told me that it would take about an hour to get to our destination. I found myself scrutinizing his driving. I was still trying to decide if I was going to trust my life with him. So far, so good , I thought. He appeared to be competent. I carefully studied him