Heart Waves Read Free Page A

heart began to ache. I felt a surge of pressure on my chest like three elephants danced on it. I imagined the pain and pressure came from my heart growing and needing more room in my body. I couldn’t breathe. I didn’t want to feel this way. All this and I’d only just met him.
    But if I could find him again .   .  .
    I knew nothing more than his name. I had no phone number or address. I had no idea if he worked or went to school, or what he did. Absolutely nothing to go on. And the same held true for him, except he didn’t even have my last name. The chances of us crossing paths again were slim to none, but according to my premonition, absolutely inevitable.
    There was one connection. We did meet at Mike’s party, even though he invited everyone in the tri-state area. He was our common bond, my way back to Reece. Or I could play the role of crazy stalker. I did have his full name, Reece Walton. I could Google him, or look him up on Facebook or Twitter. He’d have to turn up somewhere.
    I heaved a long drawn out sigh. By the time I followed the trail of breadcrumbs, he’d probably be back with his girlfriend. His selfish, undeserving girlfriend.
    I took a deep breath, and gave in to the tears welling in my eyes. The pain, the heartache I felt when I held his ring was real. As real as the sadness I felt thinking I’d never see him again.
    As I sat there I wondered where the painstaking sadness came from and if Reece was worth the risk. It didn’t take more than a moment to realize he had to be. Because there was no way in hell I could go the rest of my life without ever seeing him again.
     
     
    *                       *                       *
     
    Grace floated on air and giggled with each step back to my house. The kiss Mike planted on her before she left, convinced her there would be more to come. I’d never seen her act so silly and giddy. She thanked me a thousand times for going to the party.
    Back at home I tried to get ready for bed, changing into pajamas and brushing my teeth. All Grace did was follow me and talk about Mike, her eyes shining. I could see sleep was a lost cause.
    “So he asked me if I could do that thing you do with the jewelry,” she began, sitting cross legged on my bed, a wide smile spread across her face, “and when I said no, I thought that was it. That he’d just walk away the way he usually does.” Her eyes opened wide, “But no. He put his arm around me and pulled me over to see what was happening. That was when you busted Steve.”
    My heart skipped a beat. I knew what came next. I replayed it in my head a dozen times already.
    “And then, Mike thought it was perfect that his friend finally spoke to you. Mike said his friend could really use the distraction. He wanted to talk to you all night, but tales of the ‘Ice queen,’” she used a deep voice trying to imitate Mike, “put him off.”
    I’d only been half listening, self-absorbed in my own mini drama. I perked up and asked her to repeat the last part of her story.
    “Ice Queen!” Ugg ! “Why would Mike tell him that?”
    She shrugged. “He’d been checking you out and asked Mike what he knew about you. You know how Mike loves to call you that, since he’s the one who gave you the nickname,” a fact that impressed only Grace.
    I nodded wishing Reece didn’t know that, but dying to hear more. “So what else did he say? About Reece, I mean.”
    She smiled at me coyly, “Is that his name? Mike didn’t say anything else. Not about him anyway.”
    “Oh.” I hoped my disappointment didn’t come across too strong.
    “So what happened with him? I saw him come in the back door, and then a little later you followed, looking freaked.”
    “Nothing happened. I felt dizzy when I came back inside,” I lied, hoping she’d buy it, not wanting to admit how weird and strange everything felt since I met Reece. “I just needed to get out of there.”
    “Seriously, did he