Other Side of Beautiful (A Beautifully Disturbed #1) Read Online Free Page B

disgusting paper towels in a plastic grocery bag, then stuffing it into two more bags to keep the smell from seeping back around the kitchen before tossing it in the trashcan. Kelly’s snoring travels throughout the apartment. She snores while I clean up her puke. I’d find the situation bordering on prophetic if I wasn’t so completely grossed out at the moment. She’s your friend, Elly. I just have to keep reminding myself, she’s your friend.
    Since my services are no longer needed, coffee is definitely in order. I snatch up my well-worn copy of Jane Eyre , my all-time favorite book, and head out to The Brew, our favorite coffee shop just off campus. It only takes five minutes to get there from my place, but there’s not a parking space to save my life, and I have to sit double parked for the next twenty minutes before someone emerges caffeinated enough to face the day. A sneaky little Toyota pulled in about a minute ago, thought I wasn’t paying attention. It tries to steal the spot from me, but I’m a girl on a mission. Not smart to get between me and my coffee.
    How are all these bodies actually here so early? I expected a nice morning of quiet reading, not this—probably fifteen people in front of me waiting to order. The line moves so slowly I got to attend my youngest grandchild’s college graduation before actually reaching the counter. The crew, however, are on point doling out the pastries and caffeinated pick-me-ups, despite last night’s indulgences. Within a minute I have a hot mocha and a blueberry scone in hand and my book tucked up under my arm, trudging between the tables and chairs trying to snag an empty spot. There are no empty spots.
    The sad part is these tables aren’t even occupied by people. Maybe they used to be people, but today they’re more dead than alive, more zombie than living, breathing human, all heads resting against the tabletops, groaning out incoherencies. I walk over to the back wall and lean against it, setting my coffee cup on the trashcan.
    I kissed Benton Hayes last night. The thought hasn’t strayed far from my mind since it happened. He really was so good about it, trying not to make me feel more uncomfortable. But that kiss. That kiss tasted like the tropics and sex. I should’ve recognized his citrus scent. And his lips, I’ve dreamt about those for so long now. Well, I felt him down to my pretty painted toenails. Sometimes life could be as pleasant as a dog with worms—itchy and uncomfortable. Maybe it’s time to drag my life across the carpet to scratch that itch. What would Jane do? I flip to my bookmarked page. I know exactly what Jane would do; she’d run away.
    But I can’t up and leave in the middle of the school year. Jane, you’re letting me down . Someone who never lets me down, the hand vigorously waving at me as I scan once more for an empty seat, the hand attached to Collin. I give a quick nod, then pick my drink back up and head over to his table.
    “I did not expect this kind of turnout. Thanks for taking pity.”
    “Please, I would never pity the great Elly Dinninger. I’m humbled to be in your presence.”
    I laugh at him. “Okay.”
    “Toting Brontë again, I see.”
    “Always.”
    “You and that book.”
    “Me and that book. What can I say?”
    “Well, we think it’s cute, your little fixation with Jane.”
    “We?”
    “Yeah. Me and—”
    Benton comes walking—no, he doesn’t just walk, he saunters. Benton saunters up from the direction of the bathroom with his disheveled bedhead and no shame swagger. Benton Hayes, a sight to behold even after the biggest party night of the year. And of course I have to suppress the swoon. Me, swooning? It’s unheard of. I don’t swoon.
    “Dinninger,” he greets me. “You’re looking well this morning.”
    “I didn’t drink, so…I’m surprised to say the same about you.”
    He is about to reply, I can see the words poised on the tip of his open mouth, until Dr. Branagh, one of my