The Changeling (Book One of The Síofra Chronicles) Read Free Page B

my own feet in these torture devices that Becca considered shoes.
    I liked to think that I was a halfway decent dancer in my Chucks with both feet firmly anchored on the floor, but I wasn't as confident in my skills balancing on the balls of my feet. Walking back to the dance floor already had my calves screaming in protest.
       I didn't need to worry. Dom kept both his hands firmly on my waist, steadying me as we moved to the music. His hands were warm, and standing this close to him, I couldn't help but notice how good he smelled. It reminded me of the Pacific Ocean near Fort Bragg, where my family used to take camping trips in the summers. Even in my four-inch heels, my head barely came to his shoulders, and every time I glanced up, I found his blue eyes locked on mine, making my heart pound so hard I couldn't tell if it was my heart or the music blaring around us.
    He leaned down and spoke low into my ear. "So if I asked you for your number, would you give it to me?"
    I felt myself flush, the blood pooling in my cheeks.  I focused my eyes on the far wall, hoping he didn’t see how nervous he made me.
    "If I gave it to you would you actually use it?"
    "Why don't you give me your number and find out?" He was definitely flirting with me.
    I was out of my league, but with an uncharacteristic surge of bravery, I decided to just go with it. It was my birthday after all, and if he wanted my number, I was going to give it to him.  What could it hurt?
    "Give me your phone," I said, plucking it from his hand when he withdrew it from his pocket. I hoped he wouldn't see my hands shaking as I typed my name and phone number into his phone before I handed it back to him.
    "One second," he said, holding the phone up and snapping a picture of me. "Just like I thought. Your eyes are even greener on screen. I'm a sucker for a pretty girl with green eyes."
    I grinned at him like an idiot, pleased that he’d called me pretty.
    "I should get back to my friend," I told him.  I wanted to stay on the dance floor with his hands back on my waist, but I was desperate to get away before my luck ran out.
    "I'll call you soon, Birthday Girl," he grinned down at me.
    "I guess we'll see," I replied, aiming for casual and flirty but probably sounding more like I was desperately pleading instead.
    "You don't have to worry about that." He leaned in and pressed his lips to my cheek, letting them linger there until they sent butterflies rippling through my stomach.
    I was certain my heart was going to explode if it beat any faster. My cheeks were starting to hurt from smiling so much at him and my feet throbbed. I gave him an awkward little wave and made my way across the dance floor to grab Becca and Miguel and hide before I could do anything to embarrass myself forever. This had been a good birthday after all. 
     

Chapter Three
     
    I kicked off the heels as I entered my room, so happy with how the evening had turned out that I didn’t even throw them in the garbage where they belonged.  I stripped off Becca’s outfit and slipped on my big maroon Chico Wildcats shirt, a smile tugging at my lips.  I thought about Dom's smile and the feel of his warm lips on my cheek and did an awkward little happy dance.  What were the odds that I would run into him after Sharon had run him out of the store?
    I was happy with how my day had turned out. It hadn’t turned out bad at all for my very first birthday away from home even though I still missed my family and the fuss they would have made over me.   I climbed under my blue and white quilt and turned on the television, letting the reruns lull me to sleep. I closed my eyes, thinking about how grateful I was to have friends who cared about me, even if they were pushy and bossy. They were almost as good as having my family here with me.  No girl could ask for more.
    The sounds of waves lapping at a shore startled me. My eyes snapped open and I realized that I was no longer in my bed. I flexed my fingers