Shadows Read Free Page A

end of the week to get
everything in. I can hear her messing around in the kitchen. "Hey,
have you heard from Matt? He texted me earlier about us meeting him
for dinner. I told him I'm up for whatever." Shrugging her
shoulders, she pops a piece of fruit in her mouth as she walks into
her room.
    "No, but I haven't checked my phone either. I
put it on vibrate when I came home from the laundromat. I should
probably check it. Do you know where he wanted to meet?"
    Kayla peeks her head out of her room and gives
me a roll of her eyes. "Why do you have a phone anyways? What's the
point if you never have it on?"
    "It's not off. I have it on vibrate. I like
the quiet and Pandora is currently my bestie."
    Kayla looks at me and grabs her chest with a
pained expression. "I'm seriously hurt that I have been replaced by
an app on your phone." She is so dramatic.
    I head to my room to change my clothes and put
a bra on. I’m not sure where we are going, but in our town I know
it's going to be casual. I have on my favorite dark blue jeans,
black flats, and a cream silk blouse that's tight across my chest
but not too tight around my stomach. My hair is up in a bun and I'm
wearing very little makeup. Grabbing my black jacket, I head to the
kitchen.
    Kayla shuts her door as she yells to me, "He
said he wants to meet at Ricci's and to turn your ringer back on.
He's been trying to get a hold of you all day. You had him
worried."
    "Okay, I turned it back on. Is Paul coming
tonight?" I only ask because I don't want to be sitting by myself
tonight babysitting Matt and Kayla. I adore Paul. They have been
dating for a while now. I wish someone would look at me the way he
looks at Kayla when she's not paying any attention. It's clear how
much he loves her.
    "No, since he's made partner he has been
really swamped. He's promised me his undivided attention this
weekend. You might not see me for a couple days. I don't plan on
leaving his bed." She give me a sly grin and I smack her shoulder
as we head to the car.
    "That has just made it onto my list of ‘Things
I didn't want to know.' So thanks for that."
    "You're very welcome. I'm glad I could be of
service."

Chapter 2
    W e arrive at Ricci's
and score a front parking spot. I tease Kayla we should take a
photo of it, since it will never happen again. She rolls her eyes
at me as we head inside. Ricci's is a small Italian pizzeria and
bar. It's cutely decorated with checkered table cloths and pictures
of Italy adorning the walls. I spot Matt in the corner table across
from the where the bar is.
    "Any reason we aren't sitting at the bar
tonight?" Matt gives me a lopsided grin, but his eyes never fully
meet mine. There has to be something going on. First he snaps at
me, and now he won't look me in the eyes.
    "No, specific reason at all. I just thought we
might like to change it up and eat at a table this time.
Cool?"
    "It's totally fine. You just threw me off, I
guess."
    Matt clears his throat and I can tell he's
really nervous about something. Signaling with her eyebrows, Kayla
looks at me and then over to Matt. Even she is noticing something
is different. We sit down and the waitress comes over to our table.
She notices Matt and a huge smile spreads across her face. I swear
she must bat her eyelashes at least ten times as we order a pitcher
of beer and a large pepperoni pizza. I notice Matt keeps wiping his
palms across his knees. I'm just getting ready to ask him what is
bothering him when he lets out a big sigh. "So, I know you guys
know I have been working really hard lately. I've been doing more
than my fair share of work at the office. Especially since I had to
correct everything that stupid intern messed up. I guess my boss
noticed, because he offered me a higher position."
    "Oh my God!"
    "Matt, that’s great!" Kayla and I speak at the
same time.
    "The new position means I will be moving
locations. I'm going to train here for the next month, but then
they are transferring me to Texas."
    My stomach