Free Luminescence (Luminescence Trilogy) by J.L. Weil

got a taco salad. The great thing about food courts was there was a little something for all taste buds.
    After finishing up our calorie lavished meal, we hit a few more stores including Victoria Secret. Picking through a bin of panties and thongs all price for more than I was willing to pay for such skimpy material, Tori’s mind quickly turned to sex. And since she didn’t have a current boyfriend, Austin didn’t have a boyfriend, I suddenly became the closest thing to sex worthy gossip. Complete shit, because I didn’t have the first clue about sex.
    “I think you need a pair of these,” she declared holding a thong that consisted of three strings and a dangling charm.
    “Why would I need those? They look like floss,” I sneered.
    Swinging them on her finger she sweet-talked. “Because I bet Gavin would love them.”
    “I think I should take it a little slower… like maybe getting him to kiss me first.” I reminded her.
    “A girl can never be too prepared. At least that’s what my step-mom always says.” Tori’s step-mom, Mariah wasn’t exactly the kind of person I would take advice from. She was twenty some years younger than Tori’s dad and I think this was like her third marriage. I am sure she was prepared for all kinds of scenarios.
    “Tori my sex life isn’t up for discussion. It’s nonexistent,” I warned.
    “Look one of needs to have sex and since you have a phenomenally hot guy chasing you, it’s a sure bet that someone is going to be you. I’m just trying to help out a friend.”
    I tossed the floss back into the bin. “Thanks for the thought, but no. Besides if we were going to have sex, I’d get these,” I replied picking up a purple lacy pair.
    She laughed too loud drawing attention our way and it was too hard to resist joining her. “I knew it. You want him.”
    I rolled my eyes. “I’d have to be dead to not want him. I’m just saying we aren’t even remotely close to being there.”
    “Yeah I know, but its hell of a lot of fun to talk about.”
    She had me there.
    On our way home a text message rang in my purse. Unlocking the screen, the message lit the dark interior of the car. It was Gavin, (heartbeat hammering in my chest), inviting me to meet his family tomorrow. Well in his own style.
    Come over tomorrow .
    I groaned. The idea of seeing his family was scary, but my curiosity overruled the fear.
    Sure . I replied.

 
     
    Chapter 9
     
    SATURDAY WAS FRIGHTENING. This was my weekend off from the shop and I was currently in a panic. I had changed my outfit a dozen times; the evidence littered the floor in my room. Finally I settled on a pair of skinny denim, a crystal back-tie tank and boots. Primping wasn’t my forte. Putting on my usual make-up I added heavier eyeliner and finished it with lip gloss. I left my auburn hair tumbling down my back. Smacking my lips in the full-length mirror, I sighed. I was out of time and this was going to have to do.
    The Mason household was a fairytale.
    Only a few blocks down the road from mine, the short drive did very little for my freaked out nerves. I don’t know why I felt like a lamb going into the lion’s den. Sophie was incredible and Gavin was, well I hadn’t figured that out yet. How could his family be anything other than fabulous? Not scary at all , I tried to entice.
    The house had recently been repainted in a fresh coat of a soft yellow, trimmed in cottage white. A full wrap-around porch covered the perimeter with a swing gliding on the left side. The landscape was alive and vibrant in color; a garden of floral variations weaved about the porch. My aunt would be in pure heaven. Most impressive was the entryway; where two large etched glass paneled doors invited you in. A massive chandelier visible from the outside hung in the foyer, sending a rainbow prism glittering on the glass doors.
    Everything about the house made me think of fairytales. You could almost visualize the fairies dancing under moonbeams, with