Free Cheating Heart, A Lost Souls Novel: A Lost Souls Novel by Michelle Matkins Page A

level.  As for Vienna and James, there actually was a deep attraction.  But they also decided to keep things on a friendship level because it was easier than long distance dating.  Regardless, there was quite a bit of online flirting that’d developed between the two of them over the last few months. 
    “Oh , God,” Vienna groaned, getting out of the car.  “Steve will probably tell James I’m here, and then James will wonder why I never told him myself.  The last thing I need is for him to think I was trying to avoid him.”
    “I wouldn’t worry about it,” Kim said.  “ I told Steve that it was a last minute vacation.  James can’t hold that against you, especially since I talked you into it.”
    “Yeah, right,” Vienna sighed.  The last thing she wanted right now was another man thrown into her mix of crazy emotions.  “Men are so confusing.”
    “ Tell me about it,” Kim laughed.  “And they say we’re the confusing ones.” 
    ***
    Later that evening, they met the guys at the pier.  A cool breeze picked up and blew Vienna’s hair away from her face.  She was surprised by how happy James was to see her.  And was so thankful that he didn’t seem to mind her last minute decision to fly out to Oceanside unannounced.  Her worst fear was that he’d be angry she hadn’t mentioned it to him beforehand.  Another fear suddenly took hold of her.  What if he thought she was interested in more than friendship?  They’d been doing a lot of online flirting.  She decided not to worry about it right now.  She had too many other worries back home.  One named Brandon, and the other named Kyle.  She hadn’t yet decided what to do about either of them.  Maybe Kim was right.  She just needed to let all her worries go and enjoy her time away.  She was on vacation.  This weekend was about fun, not worries. 
    Vienna stopped and leaned against the wooden railing.  She crossed her arms over her chest against the cold ocean air.  She watched the waves roll up onto the sandy beach below.  A few dare devils were scattered about the shore splashing in the icy water.  Several others were suited up and surfing.  She took in a deep breath of fresh salty air.  This trip to the ocean was exactly what she needed.  Already her worries were beginning to melt away.  As she watched several seagulls fly by, she thought of them as her release.  They glided so elegantly, so carefree on the ocean air.  She daydreamed about how it would feel to be free from stress.
    “Nice, huh?” James said, leaning against the wooden railing next to her.  He stared out at the ocean.   “Sometimes I come here just to think.”
    “ I can see why,” Vienna said, staring at his profile.  He had military standard short dark hair and was clean shaven.  She couldn’t help but notice his strong jaw line.  “It’s gorgeous,” she said, referring to both him and the ocean. 
    “Glad you guys decided to fly out.”
    “Yeah, me, too.”
    James turned and their eyes met.  Vienna smiled and dropped her eyes, feeling embarrassed that he’d caught her staring at him.  She just couldn’t help it.  He was even better looking than she remembered.  Not that he wasn’t drop dead gorgeous in his dress blues at the Marine Corps Ball, because he was.  What girl wouldn’t want to be with a gorgeous hunk of a man in uniform?  But today, James was casual and laid back and she liked it.  He made her feel comfortable, even if he did just catch her drooling over him.
    When Vienna looked back up, she noticed that his soft brown eyes seemed to be appraising her. 
    “Are you okay?   You seem preoccupied.”
    “ Oh.  Yeah, I’m fine,” she said.  “Just a lot of stuff going on.”
    He lifted his eyebrows inquiringly.  “Anything you want to talk about?”
    “No.  Not really.”
    “Hey,” Steve said, coming up behind them.  “You guys getting hungry?” 
    He and Kim were laughing about something, walking arm in