Shades of Atlantis Read Online Free Page B

me out here, so I held back and instead studied his profile. Caleb’s angular jaw was tense, his straight nose curved in above full dark pink lips. My breath caught and came out as a muted gasp. He turned sideways toward me and dropped one hand by his side so we were once again mirroring each other. He blinked, caught off guard by the way we seemed to unconsciously reflect each other’s stance. A beam of moonlight flashed in his eyes, making them sparkle, and I looked away, the warmth spreading through my cheeks despite the cold night air.
     
    “I wanted to talk to you about last night,” he said softly. I could feel his gaze on me, but I refused to meet his eyes.

    “I’m sorry,” I muttered. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you or myself.” I peeked up for less than a second. Why wasn’t I capable of keeping my eyes off him for long?
     
    His face was glorious with concern. “No, I’m sorry,” he insisted. “I’m the one who embarrassed myself. I just wasn’t prepared…” His voice trailed off apologetically.

    I felt some relief that he apparently wasn’t intending to fire me for my outlandish behavior and lifted my eyes only to be bowled over by the full depth of his gaze. Again, I froze. Caleb’s eyes narrowed as he intently examined my stupefied features. Whatever it was he was searching for, he seemed to find it, and the straight line of his lips softened into an easy grin. The butterflies went wild, and I felt as if I must be glowing. I couldn’t help returning his smile.
     
    “That’s better. Smiling suits you.” His voice warmed my insides.

    “I—I better get home,” I stammered, pushing back from the rail.
     
    “Of course.” It thrilled me to see his eyes betraying his disappointment. “Are you working tomorrow?” he blurted out.

    My breathing staggered, and I had to avoid his eyes to keep my lungs going. He was trying to prolong the conversation.
     
    “No. Wednesday night,” I replied. Just breathe and walk , I thought to myself while still moving toward the door.

    “Goodnight, Triona ,” he called after me.
     
    I was already at the door and able to breathe easily again.

    “Goodnight, Caleb,” I called back. I realized I was already looking forward to Wednesday.
    ***
    I woke up the next morning smiling to myself before snuggling back into the quilt, thinking about last night, thinking about Caleb’s eyes and the way they creased at the edges when he smiled and the way they lit up when he looked at me.

    “Yummy,” I said out loud.

    I showered and changed before going downstairs to the kitchen where Lewis, Carmel, and Ben were having breakfast. The kitchen was bright and airy with handmade, contemporary wooden cabinets that Lewis and Ben had built together and an oblong stripped pine table in the center. The terracotta floor tiles brought warmth into the room. I reached into the refrigerator and pulled out a small bottle of orange juice.
     
    “How was work, babes?” Lewis asked conversationally.

    “Fine,” I sighed happily, still grinning.
     
    He chewed slowly on a pancake he was eating and raised an eyebrow, shooting Carmel and Ben quizzical glances.

    “You want me to get you some breakfast, honey?” Carmel offered brightly.
     
    “No, thanks.” I spun around to the cabinet behind me, grabbed a granola bar, and turned back.

    “Do you know anything about this?” Carmel laughed, smiling questioningly at Ben.
     
    Ben shoveled a forkful of pancakes into his mouth, dripping syrup on his chin. “New boss,” he spluttered.

    Carmel handed him a paper napkin from a stack on the table before running her fingers through her highlighted blond hair. She looked over to Lewis, and her brow creased over her soft gray eyes. Carmel was an inch or two shorter than me, slim, and attractive. She worked in a bank in town and took time with her appearance, always looking groomed and effortlessly, timelessly elegant.
     
    Lewis, however, was a big man and would be