Heart Waves Read Free

in and out of the house with no sign of Reece, I went back inside. The house looked even more crammed with bodies shaking and gyrating to the music than it had earlier. I pushed and squeezed my way through the crowd, every moment focused on trying to find Reece. There was no sign of him anywhere. He disappeared into thin air.
    Frustrated, I couldn’t take being there another minute. I turned my focus on finding Grace. I spotted her across the room and set out on a direct path. A pair of arms reached from behind me and encircled my waist. Before I could react my assailant held me tight and pressed himself against my back.
    I froze for the moment, my heart slamming against my chest. I tried to turn and see who had me, but he was too close, his mouth on my ear, his hands on my breasts.
    “You’re so hot, Jenna. Give me a chance. I’ll help you see the light.”
    Once the shock value wore off and I regained my senses a bit, I lifted my foot off the ground and stomped on his toes. My unfriendly admirer hadn’t expected that and leaned forward, loosening his grip on me. I pulled my elbow back as hard as I could, and jabbed him in the gut.
    I spun away and turned to face him, my hands up to defend myself.
    “Bitch!”
    “Touch me again, and the only light you’re going to see are the stars in your eyes when I cut off your happy part!” I warned before turning and walking away.
    I found Grace, pried her away from Mike, and pulled her aside. “Let’s go!”
    “Just a little longer. Please.” she pleaded, her large brown eyes hopeful. It seemed Mike finally woke up and took notice of her. The night started with her following him and now she had him drooling over her like a puppy dog.                
    This caused a slight problem: sleeping arrangements. I couldn’t go home without Grace since we planned for her to sleep over. Even though home was only two houses away, my parents would kill me for not being a “good friend.” If tonight ended the way Grace hoped, I had a feeling she’d be sleeping over most of the summer.
    “Please Jenna,” Grace begged, “just a little longer.”
    Annoyed, I rolled my eyes. “I’m going to the beach. I’ll be back in a little while, and then I’m going home - with or without you.”
    “Thank you. You’re the best.” She gave me a quick hug.
    While walking, I noticed the scent of fish coming off the water seemed stronger than it had earlier in the evening. Usually I didn’t even notice the smell unless I spent entire days or weeks away with my family on vacation. I took my time walking the two and half blocks to the private little beach in our shore community. Or as I liked to think of it: my sanctuary.
    That’s what I needed right now, someplace safe to hide, while I sorted out my strange feelings. At first, I was relieved to find the beach empty. I didn’t expect anyone to be there with Mike’s party going strong. Still, a wave of disappointment washed over me. There was one person I secretly wished to find there. 
    I couldn’t understand what was going on. I met an incredibly hot guy, flirted, and he left. Why did I feel like he took a part of me with him? It’s not like I never had a good looking guy pay attention to me. I had my share of cute guys vying for my attention and I never reacted like this.
    I sat on a playground swing at the back of the beach, close to the street, and shut my eyes. I conjured up a vision of Reece, his perfectly sculpted face strong and angular, his soft brown eyes and tousled hair.
    My heart thumped like mad just at the thought of him. This response was foreign. I didn’t like it one bit. Then I remembered the electric sensation of holding his ring. And my prediction, “You’re going to break my heart.” It was in my best interest to let this lie and move on. I tried to convince myself never seeing him again was for the best.
    And with the thought of going my entire life without ever again seeing or speaking to him, my