Free Runes (Paranormal Romance, YA,) by Ednah Walters Page A

liked my outfit. He looked gorgeous in casual wear, but I couldn’t see the person behind him, except for an elbow on the counter. Eirik wiped his hands on a napkin as he closed the gap between us.
    Finally, I got a clear view of the guy behind him and disappointment coursed through me. Keith rose from the stool. I hadn’t known he’d be coming with us.
    I waved. “Hey, Keith.”
    “Hey. You look amazing.”
    “Thanks.” I focused on Eirik. “Still not going to saying anything?”
    “He will,” Cora said, punching his arm as she and Keith walked past us, “after he picks up his tongue from the floor.”
    Eirik’s gaze didn’t leave mine as the door closed behind Keith and Cora. Finally, he glanced over my shoulder to the top of stairs. “Bye, Mrs. C.”
    “Take care of my baby, Eirik.”
    I rolled my eyes. “I can take care of myself, Mom.”
    “I will, ma’am,” Eirik said as though I hadn’t spoken and offered me his arm.
    Outside, Keith and Cora were already inside Keith’s Mustang. Eirik closed the door after I settled in the front passenger seat of the Jeep. Then he did something he’d never done before. He touched my lower lip.
    “I should have taken you up on that offer last night,” he murmured in a husky voice.
    I grinned, instinctively knowing he meant the kiss. From his words, he sounded like it wasn’t going to happen now. A bit disappointed, I asked, “Does that mean you don’t want to anymore?”
    “I don’t want to mess your makeup.”
    “You’re silly.”
    He crossed his arms along the Jeep’s open window and studied me. “You are beautiful, make up and fancy hairstyle or not.”
    “Really?” He’d never told me I was beautiful.
    He chuckled. “Of course you are, but I don’t know if this new Raine would raid the fridge in the middle of the night to feed me or stay up all night and take care of me when I’m sick.”
    I giggled. “Of course I would. You’re my best friend, and I’d do anything for you.”
    “Hey, let’s go,” Cora yelled through the window of the Mustang.
    Eirik hesitated as though he wanted to kiss me despite his words, then he looked at his watch and raced around the hood to the driver’s side. In minutes, we were heading west on Orchard Road. Eirik had the top of the Jeep up and warm air cranked.
    We drove past Walkersville University, the local Christian college whose pool we used for swim meets, then turned left on Fox Street. The club, L.A. Connection, was at the corner of Main Street and North Bonnet. The parking lot was already packed, but the larger one behind the building was nearly empty. It didn’t look like a busy night. On the other hand, it was only eight, too early for clubbers. In fact, whenever Cora went dancing, she never left until ten.
    “Just a second.” Eirik grabbed his camera from the backseat. “Don’t put on your coat yet.”
    “It’s cold,” I complained, but didn’t wear the coat and posed.
    “You look amazing,” he said, pressing the button.
    “Thank you. Take one of me and Cora.” She and Keith were walking toward us arm-in-arm.
    “Later.” Eirik took my hand.
    The bouncer at the door stamped the back of our hands and waved us through without asking for our I.D.s or asking us to pay. Eirik must have taken care of everything. He was that kind of guy. His next birthday would be my treat.
    The foyer was empty, which was surprising considering the cars in the parking lot. To our right were restrooms, and to the left, a broad doorway led to a lounge. A few couples lost in their private worlds sat around the room. Eirik didn’t claim a table for us. Instead he headed toward the flashing lights farther ahead, where a long shimmering curtain separated the lounge from the dance floor.
    Two young men, one with a punk haircut and electric blue side bangs and the other with a Mohawk with blond highlights, blocked our path.
    “Password?” Mohawk asked.
    Cora and Keith glanced at each other with bewildered