Until Next Time (The Shooting Stars Series) Read Free

dodged students.
    “I have to find a job,” he shared.
    “Good luck. I worked in a book store last year and all through last summer. I kind of hated to quit,” she stopped at her locker; Adam took note of which one it was.
    “Let me guess, you like books,” he smiled.
    “Books let you step into another world, to travel, or to have an adventure all from the comfort of your safe world,” she smiled back. “Does that make me boring?”
    “No,” he shook his head.
    “Hey, Kattie, hey, Adam,” Tessa greeted. “Kattie, have you seen Shannon today? She wasn’t in Chemistry.”
    “No, she wasn’t in English today either; she must be out,” Katherine responded.
    “Must be; I’ve gotta get moving,” Tessa waved and hurried off.
    “Thanks for showing me around today, Katherine, and being so nice,” Adam offered as she closed her locker and turned to face him.
    “Sure, Adam; call me Kattie,” she invited.
    “No,” he shook his head.
    “No?” she laughed.
    “No. You see this morning I thought you were all cute and bubbly and that was all there was to you but now…” he shook his head, “there’s a lot more to you; depths that intrigue me.”
    “Depths? Wow, what kind of depths?” her eyes were teasing.
    “That right there, you are sweet and kind and upbeat which should annoy me but you can be just a hint caustic; it makes you likable.”
    He watched her laugh at that.
    “So you think I should be annoying but I can be rude, more or less, and that makes you like me?”
    “No, not rude, caustic.”
    “And why does that make me likable?” she demanded.
    “Like I said, it saves you from being annoying.”
    “I think you just insulted me,” she accused.
    “Maybe,” he smiled.
    “So you don’t want to call me Kattie but I don’t like Katherine; it sounds so stuffy,” she crinkled her nose.
    Adam studied her a moment. “Kaitlyn?”
    Katherine considered it and smiled. “I like it, it’s kind of sophisticated.”
    “There you go,” he nodded; her smile widened. “Where’s the best place to grab a bite around here? Mom hasn’t been to the store yet and is working late tonight.”
    “Why don’t you join my family for dinner?” she invited.
    “I couldn’t intrude,” he shook his head.
    “You wouldn’t be. Come on,” she grabbed his hand and dragged him after her. Adam liked the feel of her small, slender hand in his; liked how easily she accepted him even better. She dragged him into a classroom and dropped his hand.
    “Hi, Mom,” she greeted her mother.
    Adam had her for English; he hadn’t realized she was related to Katherine.
    “Hi, Kattie, hi, Adam,” the woman greeted them with a smile.
    “Hello, Mrs. Mayfield.”
    “Do you mind company for dinner?” Katherine asked her mom.
    “Since when do I mind? Do me a favor and run to the store for me, please?” Julia dug into her purse for a list and money.
    “I can do that,” Katherine assured her mother. “I’ll see you in a little bit. Come on, Adam,” Katherine ordered.
    Adam followed her and watched her turn to survey him.
    “I haven’t thought to ask you if you need any of your books. Are you driving or do you have a bus to catch? I hope not because you likely missed it.”
    “I’m driving and as I have make-up work in every class I am carrying every book.”
    “Okay,” she nodded. “You can follow me to my house and then ride to the store with me.”
    “Works for me,” he nodded and followed her outside and across the parking lot. It turned out they weren’t parked too far from one another.
    “Kattie, wait up!” the guy from first period called as he jogged their way.
    Adam watched Katherine sigh.
    “What do you want, Nathan?” she demanded.
    “I miss you. Can’t we talk?”
    “You dumped me, remember? You said we are going to school on separate sides of the country and that it was pointless to drag it out when it wouldn’t last. I am still going to UT and as far as I know you are still going to UC