Read Ever: The Ever Trilogy, Book One (Volume 1) for Free Online Page A

not running away down the street. I knew her too well, and I knew I was in trouble. She elbowed me and stepped forward with her hand extended and her beauty queen smile plastered across her face. I glanced down the street once more, considering my escape.
    “Hi there! I’m Jessica Lynn Smith—Ever’s best friend—but you can call me Jessie. And you are?”
    Not like she didn’t already know. I closed my eyes for a second, wishing to be anywhere else.
    “Hey, I’m Toby. I just moved in next door.”
    “Toby … ?”
    “James. Toby James.”
    “Fantastic! Well, Toby James , Ever was just telling me how much she’d love to show you around.”
    I gasped.
    “Wouldn’t you, Ev?”
    Oh god. Why? Why would she do this to me? Couldn’t I go on loving Frankie in peace? I wasn’t hurting anyone! So our relationship was weird and fruitless; who cares?
    Proud of herself to no end, and no doubt mentally giving herself a high-five, Jessie giggled while she walked backward into the house, leaving me to come up with something more to say to Toby. She’d just started a conversation, volunteered me to show him around, and left.
    I’m going to kill her.
    “So, um, thanks for the flowers. How did you know they were my favorite?”
    “I didn’t.”
    Um, okay. That’s weird. “Hmm, well, they’re not really your run-of-the-mill daisies, so I guess I just thought it was strange, but …” I paused, waiting for him to say something that would make the obscure flower choice make sense, but he just stared at me. “Well, um, thanks.”
    “Sure.”
    Since that was about the extent of what I could come up with to say, I was just staring at him, and he was staring at me. I swear Jessie’s words still lingered out there, threatening to make me commit to a date.
    On a side note, and regardless of how much I told myself to ignore it, he was seriously gorgeous. I was completely in awe of him, and again, that anticipation in my belly tried to stretch its fingers and crawl to the surface, right into my carefully guarded heart.
    He wore another all-black ensemble, and I couldn’t help but swoon over him. This time, he’d topped his t-shirt with a faded black leather jacket, which was completely out of place in the spring warmth, but he looked amazing in it, so why question his choice? He was a few inches taller than me—long and lean, but muscular. The image of seeing his arms for the first time flashed through my mind, and I wished he’d left his jacket at home so I could see them again. Ah hell. What is happening here? I should go inside.
    His hair was damp, and I figured he’d just stepped out of the shower. My thoughts slipped further out of my control, and I found myself pondering what brand of shampoo he used. From that thought, I headed straight into total creep status and contemplated what kind of soap he used. I wanted to lean in and smell him, but luckily, that little voice inside me warned that doing so would be the end of whatever was hopefully coming my way with my new neighbor Toby. I considered ignoring the voice again, but decided against it.
    After a moment, I realized Toby was analyzing me just as much as I was analyzing him. My breath caught in my throat.
    “You’re all wet.”
    Shit.
    His head tilted slightly to one side, and the smirk returned to his face as he waited for me to explain my appearance. I had forgotten what I looked like—and what I must smell like. A wet dog, I reminded myself. Instantly, both hands were in my hair, trying to smooth it out, and he watched with amusement as my car keys tangled briefly in the matted mess. Well, I was glad someone was enjoying my discomfort.
    “You work at the Animal Shelter?”
    Oh no! I do smell like a wet dog!
    My face must have given away my shock, because he quickly pointed to my chest and added, “Your name tag? You’re still wearing it. Was there a flood today?”
    “Oh, wow. I’m sorry! I don’t normally look like this! I was giving one of the dogs