Goodbye Isn't Forever Read Online Free Page B

saying, I didn’t want to go that year so Dad promised it
would be my last.  I would be old enough for an internship with Dad after
I turned eighteen, so I agreed to go one last year.  His business
connections were all that seemed to matter to him.  But, that summer
turned out to be one that I would never forget.  I met someone there that
completely left me undone.”
    Jennifer
stared at Zand’s face.  His choice of words was shocking to her because
nothing or no one could “undo” Zand Gabriel.  He took center stage and
complete control wherever he went.  Jennifer didn’t have long to ponder
Zand’s statement.  The coffee machine beeped signaling it was
through.  Jennifer glanced at Zand, who was still lost in memory, and left
the table to prepare their drinks.
    Zand
was still staring out into space when a steaming hot mug of coffee was placed
in front of him.  He grabbed it without thinking and was about to take a
drink when Jennifer snapped her fingers.  The noise helped bring Zand back
to reality.
    “Earth
to Zand!  Zand!  Be careful, it’s hot,” Jennifer warned.
    Zand
stopped himself from taking a large gulp from the mug.  Where was his
mind?  He knew exactly where it was.  Still staring into the lovely
eyes of the beautiful Alexandra Kensington.  Or, as Zand had lovingly
dubbed her twelve years ago, his Alex.
    Zand
sighed deeply and began his narrative of the summer that had changed his life.

CHAPTER EIGHT
    It
had been an odd meeting, at first.  They had been paired together to
complete a required camp project and neither one was happy about it.  Zand
had his friends that he had come to know over the years through his dad, and
Alex was not one of them.  It was his last summer at camp, and he had just
wanted to have fun with his friends.  Now, he was stuck with this
newcomer.
    While
Zand had waited for his “partner” to arrive in their meeting room, he was
filled with dread.  Great, just great, Zand had thought.  His last
summer of camp was going to drag on and on and he would die from boredom. 
And his helper couldn’t even be on time!
    Those
last thoughts had left him completely when he caught a glimpse of the blonde
that had entered the room, checking her itinerary.  Zand watched as she
walked back outside and even rechecked the number on the door.  As the
blonde re-entered, her eyes slowly scanned the room and paused briefly on
Zand.  She looked past the skinny co-ed, but her eyes quickly returned and
seemed to light up as they focused on her fellow camp mate.  She slowly
approached Zand, taking in the dark-hair and eyes as she approached.
    Zand
could feel the heat slowly rise to his cheeks.  Was this girl checking him
out?  Before Zand could grasp the answer, Alex was standing in front of
him with an outstretched hand.
    “I’m
Alex.  You must be,” Alex quickly scanned the name on her project
guidelines sheet, “Zander Gabriel?”
    Zand
stood up and shook the offered hand.  “Actually, it’s Zand.”
    “Oh?” 
Alex asked, rechecking her notes.
    Zand
chuckled.  “I’m sure that it does say, Zander.  My father just dares
anyone to call me otherwise.  So, all of my schedules here list me as
Zander.
    “But,
you prefer Zand?”  she asked, smiling.
    “Yes.”
Zand answered, looking briefly into Alex’s eyes before quickly averting his
gaze.  Any other response just left him.
    Alex
grinned.  She had noted the color in Zand’s cheeks.  A shy one, she
mused. It could be a long summer.  But, she thought, still looking at
Zand, he has potential.  Tall, dark tan, nice hair.  A little thin
for my tastes, but, still easy on the eyes.
    While
Alex was analyzing Zand, she didn’t realize that he was secretly watching her,
too.  As Zand became lost in his study of the blonde, he lifted his head
and they locked eyes.
    Alex
was taken aback by the beautiful, yet, soulful deep-brown eyes.  “Wow,”
she whispered under her breath.
    Zand
was the first to break