The Secrets of Attraction Read Online Free

reconsider because in a few hours it will be Friday,” he said holding it out again. “Hey, Mads, I brought the good doughnuts—they’re on the kitchen table.”
    I took that as my not-so-subtle cue to exit stage left, which suited me fine. I had more pressing plans on my mind, which consisted of a hot shower, some sketching, a call to Zach, and now a good doughnut. This particular delectable delight was from our own lovely hamlet of Bayonne. I found the telltale white bag on the table, and reached in for a purple sprinkled doughnut. When I went back into the parlor my mother had the beer in her hand.
    â€œLater,” I said, brushing past them and climbing the stairs.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” Paul said.
    â€œThanks,” I called down, before taking a massive bite of the doughnut. The chocolate and sprinkles melted in sweet perfection in my mouth. Maybe not as healthy at yoga, but equally as blissful. I went into the bathroom, pulled back the shower curtain, and turned on the water. I scarfed the rest of the doughnut waiting for the water to get hot, and checked my messages.
    Hey Sexy
    Waiting.
    And then a selfie headshot of Zach, lying on his bed, hair splayed on his pillow, one arm carelessly flung over his head.
    My heart did a disturbing little hiccup.
    Yum.
    Breathe.

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    HarperCollins Publishers
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    â€œVERY SUBTLE BEFORE, T,” I SAID, WIPING DOWN the coffee bar. “You should have Thursday Girl’s digits in no time.”
    â€œDude, don’t remind me,” he said, sweeping the floor in front of the counter with broad strokes. “You know how long it took me to work up the nerve to talk to her?”
    It was seven thirty. The Mugshot dead zone. The after-yoga crowd had subsided and the café was dotted with the usual suspects: Hipster MacBook guy gripping his organic house blend while he stared at his screen; Homework Girls and their hot chocolates, although it seemed they were doing more laughing at me and Tanner than studying tonight. And Leif, feet up on the chair across from him, bowl of bright green pond water in one hand, a book titled Wherever You Go, There You Are propped open in the other.
    There’d be one more rush after the last yoga class of the night but then my shift would be over. Strange as it sounded, I dreaded it. Being alone with my thoughts was a dark place these days. At least at work, there was always some distraction. New customers. A difficult order. The douchey Top 40 station that my manager, Grace, insisted we play, which spewed corny sentiment 24-7. It all kept me from descending into my own private pity party. I focused on the task at hand, which at this moment happened to be ribbing Tanner about his latest infatuation.
    â€œBut you didn’t actually talk to her; you pulled your serial-killer stare,” I said, mean-muggin’ to demonstrate. He stopped and rested his chin on the broom handle.
    â€œC’mon, I wasn’t that bad, was I?”
    â€œNo comment,” I said, scrubbing a nonexistent spot on the counter.
    â€œDamn, I can’t help it,” he said, sweeping again, although all he was doing was moving dust from one part of the floor to the other. I didn’t have it in me to lecture him on the proper use of a dustpan. “I even screwed up talking to her friend. What was her name?”
    â€œMadison.”
    â€œSee, man, you got her name without any effort.”
    â€œWe had a normal conversation. I wasn’t angling for her name. You’re trying too hard, dude. Just, you know. Smile now and then. Make their drinks right.”
    â€œShe’s with someone, anyway.”
    â€œRight. What did Madison call it . . . soul mate– involved? Bide your time, T, cuz once words like soul mate start getting tossed around, things turn to shit,” I said, taking my best