Eminent Love Read Free Page B

other. Whatever it was, something about her enthralled me.
    Made me notice her.
    Made me want to know more .
    While Colin made his way over to them, I slowly pulled myself from the car and strode around the front to the passenger side. I never once took my eyes off her. Although, she didn’t look at me. If her attention wasn’t glued to the concrete beneath her feet, she studied Colin’s face as he spoke—probably explaining the situation to her. Then, she briefly glanced my way, my heart immediately ceasing to pump life into me.
    I couldn’t seem to pull myself together long enough to decipher her features. I became too mesmerized by her shy and quiet demeanor to notice much else. I’d been around plenty of girls before, but never had any of them captured me the way this one did. Her discrete shyness wasn’t what captivated me—I’d known lots of demure girls before—but the confidence she kept hidden like a treasured secret. Almost as if she knew what a rare gem she was, and refused to waste it on those who wouldn’t value it.
    I wanted to value it. Guard it. Keep it for myself.
    Although I knew nothing about her.
    “Creed, this is Layne.” As Colin made the introductions, unease settled over the four of us like a heavy, early morning fog, making the simple act of breathing difficult. “He wanted to see the movie, too, so we invited him along. I hope you don’t mind. You can either follow us in his car, or you can ride in mine. It doesn’t matter to us, and no one’s feelings will be hurt with whatever you decide.” Colin regarded me with watchful eyes the entire time he spoke.
    It was so unlike him. He wasn’t an asshole by any means, but I’d never seen him so wary, either. Colin was the type of guy who laughed and joked all the time. He never worried about what he said in front of others—a true “take me as I am” kind of guy. Although with Layne, he seemed to watch everything he said, how he said it, sounding as though he were reassuring a child.
    I hated knowing something was up and not having a clue as to what.
    “I can ride with Creed. It’s not a big deal.” Layne smiled pensively, although her sights never strayed from her sister or Colin.
    I opened the passenger side door and waited for her sit down before closing it. Colin and Drea hadn’t moved from where they stood in front of the car, both of them staring at me as if they expected something to happen.
    “What?” I asked, becoming annoyed with their sudden change in attitude.
    Drea shook her head and waved me off. “Nothing. I’m just surprised it was so easy to get her to ride with you. It’s not a big deal. We’ll meet you over there and find two spots next to each other. Just follow us and pull in beside us, please.”
    It was the “please” that left me uneasy, though I didn’t say anything about it. I could only ask for information so many times before giving up. Not to mention, I had Layne in the car. If I really wanted to know, it wasn’t like I couldn’t get the answers from her. Colin had asked me not to pry, but I had a talent for getting information without needing to.
    The moment the car door was closed and I had my seatbelt on, I watched her carefully, wanting to memorize every aspect. However, the low light inside the car made it difficult to depict her features accurately. I noticed her small nose and pouty lips, her hair wrapped in a tight bun against the back of her neck. My gaze narrowed on the light-colored locks, wondering what Colin could’ve possibly meant by it. I couldn’t figure it out, her hair looked fine. It wasn’t the same brown as her sister’s, but that didn’t mean anything. My intense scrutiny probably made her uncomfortable, and I didn’t want that, so I decided to strike up a conversation as I pulled out of the parking lot.
    “You make me hungry.”
    Layne stiffened in her seat, and I suddenly realized what I’d said.
    I twisted slightly in my seat so I could see her better in the