Shattered Grace (Fallen from Grace) Read Online Free Page B

scrambling her equilibrium any further. “Just a lot on my mind.”
    “ We don’t have to come back tonight, really. I just thought it’d be fun.” Emily maintained her grip on Grace’s arm, the painful compression making her want to wince.
    “ No, it’s fine. You’re right. I think I need a break.” Grace’s eyes went to Emily’s hand, hoping she would open it and let her go. She was fine.
    Concern drew Emily’s brows together as she peered at Grace, then her expression cleared as she switched gears, obviously determined to lighten the mood. “What do you want? My treat.”
    “ You don’t have to do that.”
    “ I know. I want to. So, what’ll it be?” Emily pulled her lips into a wide smile, showing off perfect white teeth.
    Grace tried her best to talk around the panic-filled lump lodged in her throat. “Okay.” The girl behind the counter grabbed the notepad on the side of the register, no doubt thinking Grace’s order would be just as complicated as Emily’s. “I’ll have a sixteen-ounce iced pumpkin spice latte. Two straws, please.” Grace held up two fingers. The girl released the breath she held and clacked her fingers quickly across the cash register.
    The instant Emily got her drink, she quickly made her way toward the platform at the back of the coffee house with Grace in tow, Grace’s nearly passing out the moment before already forgotten. She smiled faintly at Emily’s back, relieved that her friend’s short attention span ensured that she wouldn’t have to endure unwanted attention.
    It took Emily all of two seconds to find the table Tommy was sitting at, which didn’t surprise Grace that he was there too. He and a blond guy Grace didn’t know leaned across the table toward each other, deep in what appeared to be a heavy conversation.
    “ Are these seats taken?” Emily asked in her best flirty voice.
    Grace didn’t recognize the other guy until he and Tommy looked up to reply. “Hey, baby!” Tommy reached for the empty chair to his left and pulled it next to his own. As soon as Emily sat, he grabbed her chin with his thumb and finger and pulled her in for a lingering kiss. Grace winced. Way too much PDA, in her opinion.
    “ Yum. Strawberry, my favorite,” she barely heard Tommy say. Grace almost gagged.
    Not that she hung out with guys a lot, but she couldn’t help but wonder why these two were out for coffee so freaking early in the morning, and together no less. She tried turning her attention elsewhere since Tommy and Emily weren’t finished with their morning greeting.
    “ Geesh, you two. Get a room,” the blond guy scoffed.
    “ Right?” Grace couldn’t resist a grin as she nodded at him in agreement.
    He glanced up at her. “I don’t think we’ve ever really met. I’m Zeke.” She steeled herself as she took his offered hand briefly, before settling into the chair to his left. His hand was so soft and warm, she had to fight the compulsion to turn it over just to see if it was perfectly manicured as well.
    “ Grace. Nice to meet you.” His touch didn’t give her the heebie-jeebies, so she figured it was safe enough.
    So this was the new guy who’d moved to town a couple of months ago. The one all of the girls at Woods Cross High wouldn’t stop talking about. Grace studied him for a second as he sat back in his chair, completely at ease. He wore his streaked blond hair a little longer than most other guys, especially in front where it fell over surprisingly deep blue eyes lined with thick black eyelashes that most girls would kill for. The most appealing part about him though, was how tall he obviously was. Tommy looked short next to him, and he wasn’t. Yep, she could see why he was a hot topic.
    “ I’m glad you’re finally talking to me,” Zeke said.
    Grace was puzzled and glanced at Emily for backup, but she was still too engrossed in her boyfriend’s lips. Grace shook her head in mock disgust. Zeke sat, still considering her, apparently waiting