Free The Duality Principle by Rebecca Grace Allen Page A

as she led the way to Bug Light Park. The sidewalks were already crowded with people carrying lawn chairs and towels to the green by the shore. It was where the town gathered for the fireworks on Independence Day, and it was a tradition Gabriella had loved every summer she’d been there. They reached the edge of the park and stopped where a bottleneck of people had gathered, trying to find space on the quickly filling lawn. While they waited for a break in the traffic ahead of them, Gabriella came up on her toes and scanned the crowd.
    She wasn’t looking for dark hair and a lumberjack build. She wasn’t.
    “Looking for Connor?” Jamie’s smile proved there was no point in trying to lie.
    She did anyway.
    “No. I was just seeing where there might be some spots to sit.” Gabriella straightened her spine, defiant. “I don’t know why you’re pushing this so hard.”
    Jamie crossed her arms. “Because he’s perfect for you. Trust me.”
    She was about to ask why when she heard the sound of a motorcycle’s rumble. She turned in the direction of the low, idling growl with just enough time catch to the smirk on Jamie’s face before it vanished.
    “You do know him, don’t you?”
    “Who?”
    “The guy on the bike.”
    “Which guy?” Jamie pretended so well at the picture of innocence, Gabriella was surprised a halo didn’t materialize above her head.
    “You know which one.”
    “So what if I do? I thought you only liked dorky guys.”
    “Maybe I wanted a change.”
    Jamie grinned merrily. “Oh, Gabriella. I know you better than you think I do.”
    She wanted to ask her friend about her cryptic response, but then they were interrupted by a tall, rugged-looking blond who pulled Jamie into a one-armed hug. The hand that was pressing her to him boldly clutched an open bottle of beer.
    “Jamie Matthews, my favorite girl.”
    “Oh, I’m your favorite now, huh? You’d better let all the other girls know.” She swatted his chest and pushed him away. “Dean, this is my friend from Boston, Gabriella.”
    “The famous Gabriella!” A grin washed over his face as he looked her up and down. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
    “Oh yeah? What’s Jamie said about me?”
    “Not from Jamie. From my boy, Connor. You’re the girl he won’t shut up about.”
    “And you can stop talking right about now.”
    Gabriella whirled around at the sound of Connor’s voice, catching sight of him as he cut through the crowd. He came to her side and gave Dean a threatening look, but it didn’t seem to affect him at all.
    “Sorry, buddy. I speak the truth,” Dean replied. “She might as well know what a sappy fucker you are before she gets in deeper.”
    “Thanks, man.” Connor sighed and dug his hands into his pockets, quite possibly to stop himself from strangling Dean, who saluted Connor with his bottle.
    “No problem. Mikey’s got a cooler up at the tent. You ladies want to join us?”
    “I’m up for a free beer,” Jamie cheered, immediately hopping on Dean’s back. He let out a whoop and carried her up the hill, leaving Connor and Gabriella alone.
    “Hey,” he said.
    “Hey.” Kiss me again. “I was hoping to see you here tonight.”
    “Me too.” He kicked at the grass and nodded in the direction of the sea of tents in front of them. “Do you want to a beer? I mean, you don’t have to drink. We’ve probably got some water too, if you want that.”
    He was babbling. It was adorable.
    “You think math students don’t drink beer?” she asked. “The motto at M.I.T. is ‘work hard, but play harder’. Well, that, and ‘sleep is for the weak’. It means we spend half our time guzzling caffeine and the other half getting wasted.”
    The grin that spread over Connor’s face made Gabriella realize she was babbling too. She, on the other hand, felt somewhat less than adorable. She lowered her head, trying to hide her face in her hair.
    “What I mean is, yes, I’d love a beer.”
    Connor chuckled.