Behind A Twisted Smile (Dark Minds Book 2) Read Online Free Page A

really, I’m okay with it.”
    “If you really are, then great. You see, Martyn thought you might still be a bit miffed, and he wanted today to be nice.”
    “Today?” He knew about today.
    “Yes,” She glanced at her watch before pouring some more wine into my glass. “He’s joining us.”
    I knew my mouth dropped open as I gawked at her, and I must have looked a complete idiot when, seconds later, Martyn strolled casually into view on the path not more than twenty feet away from where we were sitting.
    He raised a hand in greeting, and bent down to kiss Evie on the lips before saying anything. She gave a surprised squeak, turned and wrapped her arms around his neck. After what seemed an interminable length of time, they drew apart reluctantly, and she murmured something. Martyn smiled, nodded and looked across at me. His beam widened until it stretched across his face, and then, raising his arms, he walked round the picnic bench to my side.
    “Moya,” he said. And before I had time to leap up from the wooden bench, he pressed his hands down upon my shoulders and smiled into my eyes. Evie would never have known the pressure which pinned me onto the seat.
    “Hello, Moya.”
    Without another word his mouth hovered near mine, and I realised with horror that he was about to kiss me. I managed to turn my head at the last moment, and his lips grazed against my cheek.
    “It’s so good to see you again. You’re looking well. I’m presuming Evie has told you our good news?” He smiled gently at Evie, and she blushed in response.
    “About you and her? Yes, of course she has, but you—”
    “And you understand? Evie and I, well it just happened.”
    “Yes, yes, I’ve already said so, haven’t I, Evie?” I heard Evie catch her breath, and I threw her a desperate look, which was entirely wasted, as she frowned at my reply. I wondered if I sounded as brusque to them as I did to myself. Damn!
    “Look, it really is okay with me.” I smiled and looked from her back to Martyn.
    “I know it’s awkward, but I know how big-hearted you are usually.”
    “No, it’s not awkward, and I’m pleased for you both.”
    I swear Martyn’s eyes misted over, and he covered Evie’s hand with his own. “See, honeybun. I said she’d be kind. Moya’s so like your mum. Big-hearted and generous. She never bears a grudge.”
    “Mum? What’s she got to do with this?” I knew Mum was scatty and charitable, but the thought of Martyn wheedling his way into her good books irritated me.
    “Nothing, Moya. All Martyn means is, Mum invited us over for a meal a few days ago. She wanted to meet him, and they got on like a house on fire. Darcy was there, too, and even she seemed to like Martyn. You know how picky Darcy is.” As she spoke, she handed Martyn a plate and piled it with smoked-salmon canapés and a portion of chicken.
    “Yeah, underneath all that black eye-liner and heavy jewellery, there’s a nice kid lurking inside.” Martyn hugged Evie to him with a grin.
    I could imagine the four of them sitting round the dinner table exchanging banter and maybe discussing me. I froze suddenly. Evie said Martyn had forgotten our row and forgiven me. What the hell had he really said? The great euphoric feeling I had earlier that day, after my race, dissipated completely. The bastard had turned everything round.
    “Actually, you’ve got it all wrong, Evie, our parting—”
    “Don’t spoil a nice day, Moya. Look, Evie is being nice and understanding. Don’t let’s talk about what happened. It’s not important. Chill out and have another glass of wine.” He upended the bottle into my glass.
    “I don’t want any more,” I grumbled in protest, glaring at him when he placed a warning hand on my wrist.
    “Moya,” said Evie, leaning towards me with a begging look upon her face. “Martyn didn’t do anything or say anything wrong. He just told Mum what he thought was necessary. She had to know about you and Martyn sometime—you