Forbidden Heat (Firework Girls #1) Read Free

the eye can see. They even have a jukebox along one wall, but it’s stocked with modern music options as well as the old classics.
    On the table in front of us are the remains of four baskets of volcano fries, and empty glasses that used to hold the thickest, most delectable chocolate shakes I’ve ever had in my life.
    By the time the waiter asks if we’re ready for our check and we finally say yes, I know I’ve just made some fast friends.
    When he comes back with the check, everyone starts pulling out their wallets so they can pitch in. I grab the ticket.
    “How much do we owe?” Chloe asks.
    “I’ve got this,” I say.
    “No, no, no,” they all start protesting at once.
    “It’s the least I can do after what you guys did for me.”
    They pause, assessing me. I’ve already told them about some of the times people have used me for my money, but I know that isn’t the case here. I think they have to understand that.
    “Come on, please? Let me. We’ll go Dutch next time.”
    They look at one another, faltering.
    “Done!” I say, taking advantage of their hesitation. I toss the money on the table, leaving extra for a tip and start shoving Chloe down the seat so we can get out of the booth before they change their minds.
    “All right, all right, bossy,” she says, but she’s smiling and so am I.
    We head for the door and Sam says, “Imagine her thanking us with fries when she could be buying us Porches and shit.”
    We all laugh, but no one laughs harder than I do.
     

Chapter 2
     
    Damn near three years later
     
    I’m swimming in the lap pool of the Rivers Paradise Resort, just a couple of weeks before the start of my senior year. It’s on the central California coast and Hartman College is only about an hour and a half inland from here. My parents are in love with this place and they fly up from San Diego every August just so we can hang out somewhere fun before school starts. This year we have an additional reason to be here.
    My mom recently finished her last chemotherapy treatment for uterine cancer and is finally starting to feel more like herself. We’re here to celebrate.
    I finish my swim and quickly towel dry my hair. I’m wearing a modest one-piece, but throw on my cover up anyway. I know what I look like in a swimsuit and don’t really like how it tends to draw in the guys. I kind of envy the girls who are comfortable flaunting it, but that’s just not me. It makes me pretty uncomfortable. I don’t like the extra attention I get from it, kind of like my family’s excess money.
    I grab my bag and head for one of the other pools. The resort has several outdoor pools, but the lap pool isn’t my mom’s favorite. She’s waiting at the more “sun bathing” sort of pool she prefers.
    I walk through the palm-tree lined grounds of the resort, enjoying the view of the ocean, and come to the luxurious pool with little waterfalls and two huge hot tubs. As I locate my mom’s chair across the way—she’s not there, but I recognize her bag—some guy I don’t know approaches me with that on-the-hunt look I’ve come to recognize.
    I roll my eyes. Unlike when I was a naive freshman, I’ve learned how to smell sleaze ball from a mile away. While my looks have attracted the kind of guys I do like, they draw in the slimy ones too, and I get pretty tired of it.
    “Hey baby, are you from around here?”
    Gag.
    “Is anybody from around here?” I say coolly, not slowing my stride.
    “I’m from San Francisco,” he says. “Juan.”
    “Well, Juan from San Francisco, no offense but I’m here to spend time with my family.”
    I set my bag by the lounge chair next to my mom’s and sit down. Still no sign of her.
    “Hey, I’d be happy to help you with your suntan lotion.”
    Is this guy for real? Does this ever actually work for him?
    “That’s a definite no,” I say firmly, looking him in the eye. “You take care now.” If there’s any good thing that came out of the Justin Kirby