Perfect Timing by Kathryn Shay

Author:Kathryn Shay
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 2013-12-13T05:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

THE DAY AFTER her discussion with Alisha, Celeste awakened to a nudging. Then some squeals. She sensed, rather than heard, Outside. Now. Oh. She bolted out of bed along with Bruiser and hurried down three flights of stairs to the kitchen, where she let the dog into the backyard. Bruiser bounded through the grass to a spot where she’d taught him to go. While he did his thing, she brewed coffee for the others and made herself tea, then returned to her room, and since she’d showered last night, dressed in pink shorts and a white T-shirt. Back downstairs, a quick glance at Bruiser romping in the yard told her he wasn’t ready to come inside, so she sat down at the table and sipped the tea, watched him play.

And thought about Alex. He would have gotten the first results of his clinical trials last night. They had to be good, given that he succeeded in releasing the drug the first time around and Alisha and Celeste had altered nothing. Her heart clenched in her chest at the thought. She was going to ruin all that for him.

Alex, who’d touched her knee in the car yesterday when she’d sat in front as if he had a right to.

Alex, who’d caught her, then held her in his strong, very powerful hands when she’d almost fallen.

Alex, whose glistening eyes told her he would have kissed her if she’d given him permission.

No, she couldn’t think about her feelings for him. About what had almost happened. She had to control her thoughts, even if her emotions ran wild.

Turning her attention to Bruiser, she saw a squirrel scamper down a tree and into the yard; when the dog noticed, he began to bark and run after it. She was watching him chase the tiny furry thing back up the tree when Maddy came into the kitchen, in a cute sundress made of bright green material.

“Up already?”

Maddy smiled and poured herself some coffee. “I’m heading out early.”

Odd phrasing. “Today’s one of your holidays. You don’t have summer school.”

Taking a quick glance behind her to the entrance of the room, Maddy sat down. Her face was animated and Celeste noticed the girl wore a bit of face paint. “I don’t want to make a big deal out of this, but someone’s picking me up for breakfast. I’ll be back for the neighborhood barbeque.”

“Someone, as in Kelly, your friend?”

Madison blushed. “No. A…boy.”

“A boy? I asked you about that the other night.”

“I know. I didn’t want to tell you anything in front of family. My brothers will tease me, and I have no idea what my father will do. I’ve never…seen boys much.”

“Did you meet up at the field trip?”

“Yes. It was so fun, Celi.”

Like a mother watching her daughter blossom, Celeste’s heart was full at Madison’s reaction. “How long have you been friends with him?”

A shrug of her delicate shoulders. “We’ve been hanging out for a few months. Talking a lot on the phone.”

“It’s normal to be interested in boys at your age, Maddy.

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