Gossamer Read Online Free Page B

hair behind me. The dog, once again, lifted his nose, sniffed and then relaxed.
    “That’s odd,” I said softly.
    There was enough light to tell me the figure heading our way was male, but with the dim evening sky I couldn’t make out a face. I spun toward my car, but hadn’t gotten far when I heard someone call out.
    “Mocha!” The dog made a sound somewhere between sneezing and snorting. “There you are.”
    I took the last step to my car and looked down at Mocha. He wagged his tail a bit. Well, he seemed to think this man was harmless. Eyes narrowed, I squinted to make out his owner’s face, and my mouth fell open. Grant. I quickly snapped it shut as he approached.
    “I have been looking everywhere for you, boy.” The dog made that sneezing sound again. “Hey, thanks for finding my dog. I’m Grant.” His gaze met mine, and he stuck his hand out for me to shake. “You’re Kyla. We go to school together, right?”
    My head bobbed. Say something .
    I shook his hand. Electricity shot through my body, and I flinched at the unexpectedness of it. He eyed our clasped hands, then quickly released mine. Feeling like an idiot, I smiled, trying to appear friendly while casually smoothing my ponytail. Assuming it would be a quick trip to the pizza place and back, I hadn’t bothered to check my appearance. I never expected to see anyone, especially not him. Standing there, I nervously bit my lower lip, incapable of speech.
    He smiled. “Well, it’s nice meeting you. We just moved to the area. When I noticed Mocha,” the dog snorted, “had escaped from the yard, I was worried. I wasn’t sure he could find his way home, and it will be dark soon. Poor little guy would probably be frightened all alone.” Grant regarded the dog, and his mouth twitched.
    Mocha sneezed, another snorting sound and placed his head right under my hand. I absentmindedly petted him, running my fingers along his ear. He leaned into it, while Grant’s gaze followed my hand. He then smirked and shook his head slightly.
    “My parents think we should neuter him so he will quit escaping from the backyard.” Grant sighed. “Guess they are right. He probably should be neutered.”
    Mocha snorted.
    The corner of my mouth tugged up. “He’s got quite the personality. He’s a good dog though, no harm done, I guess.”
    “Yeah, I’m just glad I found him. He really is all bark and no bite.” Right on cue, Mocha snorted again. I glanced down, feeling a bit bewildered. Grant quickly continued, “So you live around here?”
    “Yes, right down there actually. The last house on the corner.” He looked in the direction I pointed, and I continued, “I just picked up some pizza and Mocha ran in front of me. I stopped to see if he had a collar.”
    “Wow, he’s really lucky he didn’t get run over.” He stared at Mocha disapprovingly, which earned him yet again another snort. “That’s really nice of you, to stop and help him. I’m sorry we’ve taken so much of your time. I hope your pizza isn’t cold.”
    I shrugged. “It’s for my parents.”
    Smiling, he said, “Well, then, apologize to them for me. I guess I should get going.” He rocked on his heels. “We’ve probably wasted enough of your time.”
    “Do you need a ride home or anything?” I asked, hopefully sounding polite and not like a crazed stalker.
    “It’s okay. I live just around the corner.” He gestured in the opposite direction of my house. “Thanks for the offer, Kyla.” My heart skipped a beat after hearing my name on his lips. “I guess I will see you at school tomorrow?”
    I nodded, once again incapable of speech. He was even more gorgeous up close. He met my eyes, and a slight shiver ran through me. Mocha yawned loudly in a squeaky dog way. I stared down. He looked at me, then at Grant.
    “I guess I should get Mocha home.” The dog snorted again.
    “I don’t think he likes his name,” I commented offhandedly.
    Grant laughed. “Probably not, but