Curses, Fates & Soul Mates

by et al Kristie Cook

  “Cool.”

  “Now that I have your approval I’ll go make your smoothie.” I swallowed hard as I turned around to start Zach’s drink. Was it my imagination again, or did the temperature drop a few degrees?

  His sudden appearance and asking me out again kind of threw a kink into my brain, and I couldn’t quite think straight.

  Scott peered through the opening into the prep area. “That’s Zip, huh?”

  “Zach. And if you embarrass me, you’ll wake up with frostbite. Got it?”

  “Yikes. But, hey, it’s getting chilly in here. Off the radar, remember?” He made his way around the corner.

  “What’s up guys?” Scott held out his fist to rap knuckles with Zach. Oh jeez. I was so mortified. But he was right. I needed to calm down.

  I scooped up some chopped bananas and strawberries but a flash of blue near my fingertips caught my attention. Did a blueberry get mixed in with the bananas?

  I tipped the glass toward me. It wasn’t a blueberry. It was my fingernails! I held up my hand and sure as shit my nails were freaking blue.

  When did that happen? I hadn’t noticed them while showering.

  I fanned out my fingers. Perfectly manicured nails the same color as the neon blue streaking my hair. I set the tin cup down and touched them. Smooth, like glass, no ridges or anything. And they’d grown. No longer chewed stumps.

  This was totally freaking me out. Was I turning into an ice cube, or human iceberg or something? A hand slapped my shoulder, and I jumped, knocking the tin cup over. It clanked on the countertop and rolled to the side.

  “Sorry, girl,” Georgia said. “Jumpy much?”

  “Well, Miss Stealth, you snuck up on me,” I whispered through my clenched jaw.

  She shoved me. “Why is Zach standing in this smoothie shop right now with his best friend?”

  “Probably got a craving. It’s not like there are tons of smoothie shops in this tiny town.”

  “Has he ever been here before?”

  “Maybe while I wasn’t working.”

  “You’re impossible.” She elbowed my rib. “Move over. I need some mangoes. And you’re welcome. He called here this morning asking if you were working.”

  “I knew you did something.”

  She grinned as she worked on Dan’s smoothie. “I might have mentioned he should come over. Didn’t realize he was going to bring a delicious specimen for me, too.”

  “You stinker.”

  “He was determined, I just…helped him along a little.”

  I shuffled to the side and checked on Zach and Scott. They were still talking. Oh, great, what was my brother saying about me? Too bad I hadn’t inherited super-hearing from my mom.

  Wait, what was I thinking? I had enough to worry about with my frosty tendencies.

  Georgia stepped beside me at the mixer. “What if he asks you out again?”

  “He just did.” I poured the strawberry-banana goodness into a cup and snapped on the lid. I gave Georgia a little hip-check, then stepped to the counter.

  “So, you’re running at State next year, huh?” Scott asked.

  “Yeah, got a scholarship,” Zach said, eyeing me like a lion about to devour his prey.

  Damn that made my cheeks flame…and other places. No one had ever looked at me with that type of intensity before. And I kind of liked what it did to my body.

  I slapped Scott on the shoulder, hoping he’d take the hint and leave.

  “On the house, guys. Keep up the good work.” Scott smiled. “I’ll watch the counter if you and Georgia want to take off. I hear The Pier is fun.”

  “The what?” I glanced at Zach, then to Georgia.

  She started untying her apron.

  No way. Not after what happened last night. “No. I’ll stay and help you clean up. I—”

  “It’s okay,” Scott said, his mouth curving into a grin. “You need to relax a little.”

  I held his gaze for a couple of seconds to make sure. He smiled and gave a little nod as if he understood my hesitations. Why wasn’t he worried? I’d scared the ever-lovin’ crap out of him last night. Not to mention the Coats might be lurking.

  My apron went loose behind me.

  “Let’s go already.” Georgia pulled the wrap over my head and made her way toward Dan, who waited by the door.

  “You coming?” Zach had ambled to the end of the counter.

  He held up his smoothie and sucked through the straw as his gaze slowly wandered up my body to my face, then lingered. His smoldering eyes could burn a hole right through me if I stared at them too long.

  I glanced behind me. Scott watched with a grin, and I couldn’t help smiling. Even through the chaos that defined our lives, he was rock solid.

  He trusted me. Trusted his decision to stay in town. I could, too, right? Maybe even have a little fun with a guy I was totally starting to fall for?

  “Thanks, Bro. See you later.”

  Zach fell in beside me. “The blue streak is awesome, Mandy.”

  “Who says you get to call me Mandy?”

  “Your brother calls you that.”

  “But he’s my bro.”

  “Georgia does, too.”

  “But she’s my best friend.”

  “Well, what am I?”

  I crossed my arms over my chest and stopped a step before the doors. Georgia and Dan stood near the entrance, chatting.

  Zach rested his arm on the handle as if ready to push the door open.

  I looked right at him. “I haven’t quite decided what you are yet.”

  CHAPTER 9

  “Whoo-Hoo!” Dan shouted as he plunged into the water from a tire swing. It hung from a massive tree tilted over the lake.

  “I’m so going to try that.” Georgia jumped to her feet and kicked off her flip-flops.

  “You go right ahead.” I sunk further into the sand. The warmth baked the worry right out of my neck and shoulders. Felt like heaven against my skin.

  “Don’t you want to lay on a towel?” Zach asked. “Dan has some stashed in his trunk.”

  “Naw, this is sweet. The sand’s warm.” I shut my eyes and rested my hands on my stomach, thankful I wore a tank top under my T-shirt. “Can’t do this in Minnesota, like ever, without bugs buzzing and having to goop on so much gunk to keep them away.”

  Zach laughed. I kept my eyes closed, listening to everything. Screaming kids. I’d noticed earlier, when we pulled up, the weekend crowds had taken over the beach. It was an informal spot, no lifeguards. But they amply warned everyone with posted signs, like, every two inches.

  “You going to swim?” Zach’s voice sounded near. He must be lying close to me. The very thought sent my mind into a frenzy.

  “Never been much into water sports. You?”

  “Rather hang with you.”

  Couldn’t think of anything to say to that, so I let a smile take over. Maybe that’d be enough to let him know it was way cool.

  “I was wondering something…”

  When he didn’t continue right away, I shaded my eyes to see him. He propped himself up on one elbow, resting his head on his palm, watching me.

  “What?”

  “Why’d you really bail on me last night?”

  “It was late. I was ready to go home.” Total lie.

  “But you had time to dye your hair?” A grin tugged at his lips.

  “I’m here with you now, aren’t I?” I mimicked his position.

  “Because Georgia wanted to come.”

  I smiled. “Mostly.” I smoothed out the sand in front of me with my free hand, studying each grain. Nerves inside my fingers vibrated.

  Zach burrowed his hand into the sand and met mine. Just the fingertips, though, then he stopped as if daring me to take it further.

  “What are you afraid of?” Zach whispered. “You don’t come across as someone who gets freaked out by much.”

  “Oh yeah?” My voice wasn’t much more than a whisper either.

  The look in Zach’s e
yes was breathtaking. Challenging yet filled with want. Such a tempting combination. I leaned forward and eased my fingers over his.

  He met me halfway, consummating our hands beneath the thin layer of sand. “So, what are you afraid of then?”

  “You’re the hot man on campus. Lots of girlfriends. I’m afraid I might suffer by comparison.”

  “Ouch.” He coughed.

  “And like you said. College coming. No ties, right?”

  “I did say that, didn’t I?” He let out a long breath, holding by gaze. “Maybe I felt that way because I was with the wrong girl.”

  “You barely know me, Zach.” And I was so the wrong girl. He just didn’t know it.

  “I’m trying to get to know you. You won’t let me.” His dark eyebrow quirked up, and his dimple flared as he offered me his totally addicting half-smile.

  He was right, though. So trained to stay protected, I’d pretty much forgotten how to…be. So controlled. So…

  I inched closer, which probably looked ridiculous as I scooted across the sand, but if I was going to take a chance, Zach was going to be that chance.

  His eyes widened, and he leaned forward as his grip on my hand tightened. Despite the sand mixed in with our hands, his warmth still crept up my arm. But it also left a trail of goosebumps.

  Do. Not. Freeze. Him.

  I drew in a breath, then pushed that last inch separating us. My reward was the softest pair of lips. The contact, as light as it was, sent a shockwave through my chest, rattling down my spine. The warmth of the sun toasting us, and his now familiar scent, swarmed around my body, filling me with him.

  All Zach.

  I turned my head a fraction and that angle offered me even more of him. That pouty bottom lip I’d been eyeing since I’d first seen him was all mine to taste. To nibble. And I took full advantage.

  One quick suckle, and he took in a sharp breath. Too bad he pulled away.

  “Wow,” he said, leaning his forehead against mine. “That was way more than I expected.”

  Stay calm. Breathe. No ice. I was worried my ice would show up just to cool me down. And not just from the sun heating me. There wasn’t a spot on me that didn’t vibrate with excitement. Desire.

  “You okay?” Zach nudged my chin with his sand-covered finger.

  I’d not even realized he’d released his hold on my hand. Man, I’d gotten lost there for a second. But relief flooded my hammering heart at the sight of his tan skin. No ice. No frost. No nothing but smooth flesh.

  I cleared my throat and shifted my elbow a little. “Fine.” Damn he’d taken me by surprise. So did not need the complication of falling for someone, but here I was plummeting for this guy big time.

  Georgia squealed.

  I glanced over in time to see Dan dunk her. “They seem to be getting along well.”

  “Yeah.”

  “So, Dan. His dad’s the mayor?”

  “Super-rich, owns half the town.” Zach jutted his chin toward the pond. “But Dan’s cool. Nice guy.”

  I settled onto my back, needing some distance from Zach to catch my breath. And the beach was so not the place to try a mega make-out session anyway. Distraction—yes, I needed a distraction.

  “Tell me more about you,” Zach asked.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “Why’d you come here only three months before graduation? And I know it wasn’t because you got kicked out of your last school for killing a student like everyone said.”

  “What?” I turned, shading my eyes to see if he was serious.

  “Kidding.” He winked, then settled onto his back, too. But what I liked most was his hand landed on mine, and he took in a deep breath. “Talk.”

  “Things didn’t work out in Minnesota for Scott’s smoothie business. Thought we’d try living in the warm part of the states.”

  “Hmm. And Georgia. You and her, together from day one.”

  “Nothing gets past the small town peeps, huh?” I laughed as I closed my eyes, drinking in the warmth from the sun. “You know something interesting? She was the only one who came up and talked to me on my first day of school. The rest of the kids just sat back and gawked. Not Georgia. I think she skipped to me in lunch. Crazy girl.”

  “That’s cool.”

  “It was like she knew we’d be best friends or something. She’s like a sister to me now.”

  “I remember your first day here.”

  “You do?” I glanced up and realized he’d propped himself up by his elbow again. Boy those eyes of his would melt the biggest ice ball I could ever make. I eased myself up again, too, maybe for another little taste. I could easily get addicted to his kisses, and I’d only tried one so far.

  I’m such a goner.

  “There was just something…different about you. Separated you from the town chicks.” He traced his finger up my bare arm. “Couldn’t get you out of my mind.”

  “That’ll wear off. I’m pretty lame, actually. One friend, work all the time, no life whatsoever.”

  His tongue jetted out, dampening that edible bottom lip of his. A breeze tangled his hair, and he reached to shove it off his forehead. I beat him to it, and gently tucked it behind his ear.

  His eyes widened, and he held my hand to the side of his face. Less than twelve inches separated us, but that didn’t lessen the heat radiating from him. His gaze shifted down, and my lips tingled in anticipation.

  He leaned forward.

  Do not freeze him. Do not freeze him.

  My cheeks flamed. Until drops of water splattered against my forehead and arms.

  Oh, God. What had I done?

  Zach released my hand and looked skyward. “Shit.”

  He hopped to his feet. Georgia shrieked as she and Dan sprinted in our direction. Zach helped me up, and we all scampered to the car.

  “Where’d that rain come from? It was sunny, like, two seconds ago.” My voice couldn’t have sounded more whiny, but I had a reason to be ticked. Zach was totally going to kiss me again.

  Stupid rain. The sky opened up and dumped a ton of water on us. Hell, I might as well have jumped into the lake.

  “Welcome to the desert,” Dan said.

  I plopped into the backseat, but instead of Georgia following, Zach jumped in beside me.

  Okay, being stuck in the backseat of a car with him wouldn’t be so bad. I might even get to steal that kiss right back from the rain.

  CHAPTER 10

  “Dude, turn the heat on.” Zach scooted closer to me.

  “Now that’s whacked. It’s almost ninety degrees one minute. Then it rains, and it’s, like, fifty. That so completely and totally sucks.” God, I hoped my strands of hair didn’t freeze into icicles.

  “Come July the rain won’t cool anything down,” Zach said.

  “Man, my car’s getting all wet.”

  “It’s not going to melt.” Zach hit his shoulder.

  “No, I mean inside.”

  I sank into the leather seat, and let my head fall against the headrest. Dan revved the engine and flicked on the vents. The windows fogged up, and it felt like I was in a dream. Couldn’t see out, but I didn’t care. I was having fun. And after what happened last night—hell, over the past four years—I was due.

  Dan peeled out of the parking lot, along with most of the other people.

  “Dude, pull over. Get these windows defogged,” Zach said.

  “Stop back-seat driving.”

  “You’re worried about a little water inside, how would you like a big dent on the outside?”

  He perked up and slowed down. “Maybe you’re right.” He steered the car onto the bumpy, gravel shoulder.

  The sound of metal colliding rang in my ears.

  “Whoa.” Zach grabbed my arm.

  “What was that?” Please let it be nothing Coat-related. Not here. They wouldn’t do anything so public, would they? Shit.

  I wiped through the condensation to see. Steam rose from the crumpled engines of two cars that hit
head-on behind us. I glanced around as much as the fogged up windows allowed, but couldn’t take in the scenery very well.

  Not a good thing.

  Our car rolled to a stop. Dan opened his door and stepped out. Without thinking, I shrugged from Zach’s grip and bolted out. Steam spewed into the rain-soaked air from the front ends like a volcano.

  Trees at the end of a field at least one hundred feet long made for a good hiding place. But a line of cars stopped along the road because of the accident. Lots of witnesses.

  We should be safe.

  “Oh, my God, I hope they’re okay,” Georgia said.

  The hairs on my neck prickled. I sprinted toward the mangled cars. Why weren’t people helping?

  “Dan, call 9-1-1,” Zach ordered. His voice sounded near. “Amanda, what are you doing?”

  As I ran, rain pelted my face, stinging my eyes. Through the broken glass of the Honda Civic, I saw two kids, my age, sitting motionless in the front seats. The hood resembled an accordion.

  The SUV didn’t have much damage other than a dangling front bumper. Blood dribbled from the old lady’s forehead, but she was awake.

  I hurried to the Honda and tugged at the driver’s side door. It didn’t budge. I bolted to the other side. No luck. The metal was bent enough to prevent it from opening, and I couldn’t rip it off in front of everyone. My secret would be out.

  But these guys could die.

  Zach ran to the SUV. Georgia and Dan stood by his car and Dan had the phone pressed to his ear. The rain poured down in sheets. No one behind me or to the side. Could I get away with yanking it off the hinges?

  “Amanda, get back. I smell gas,” Zach yelled.

  Now that he’d said that, I smelled it, too. Lots of it. “Zach. Come here, quick. Door’s jammed.”

  Flames shot out from under the hood.

  “Amanda,” Georgia screamed.

  Zach finally made it to me.

  “Grab the handle, help me pull.” It was the best cover I could think of on such short notice. He’d assume his strength opened it. “I’ll pry it from up top here.”

  “We’re never going get this open.”

  “Yes. Yes we will. On three.” I squeezed. Made finger-sized dents. Hopefully Zach didn’t see that. “One. Two. Three.”