Free Foreshadow by Brea Essex Page A

hair, tanned skin, and Pilates-toned limbs. I wondered if the tan was real or fake, considering the amount of fog in Capitola. And I suspected her highlights might be the product of quite a bit of time in the stylist’s chair.
    “What do you want?” I asked with a sigh.
    She stared at Andrei, but directed her comment to me. “Nothing,” she said. “I just saw you and came over to say hello.”
    “Yeah, right,” I shot back.
    Bianca’s eyes snapped over to mine. “Raena, why wouldn’t I say hello to my good friend?” Her voice was saccharine, but her gaze was steely.
    “I don’t know what alternate universe you’re living in right now, but we are not good friends.”
    She ignored me and sat down on my towel, her hand and her bikini-clad chest thrust in Andrei’s direction. “Hi there. I’m Bianca.”
    He glanced over at me before reaching out and shaking Bianca’s hand. “Hi, Bianca,” he said.
    “Aren’t you going to tell me your name?” she pouted.
    “It’s…Andrei,” he answered.
    “Hi, Andrei,” she purred. “Want to go swimming with me?”
    His eyes narrowed. “Well, Bianca, in case you hadn’t noticed, I’m here with Rae.”
    “So? I don’t think Rae would mind if I were to steal you away.”
    I opened my mouth to retort, but before I could, Andrei cut me off. “Even if Rae didn’t mind, which I think she would, I would mind. She and I are here on a date, and I’m not going to abandon her.”
    My heart leapt a little. I couldn’t believe he wasn’t going to choose Bianca over me.
    “A date? With her? You’ve got to be kidding!” She laughed scornfully.
    “I don’t find you funny or all that attractive. I suggest you leave us alone now.” Andrei sounded almost menacing.
    Bianca stared at him in horror—I guessed she wasn’t used to guys telling her they didn’t find her attractive—and she stood up, hands on hips. Her mouth opened, then snapped shut. It was an amazing thing to see her rendered speechless.
    After she flounced off, we got up and headed toward the sea again. We laughed and played in the water and chased each other up and down the beach until the sun began to set. We lay in the beams of the descending sun for a few minutes, then toweled off and headed back to Andrei’s car. He held my hand as he drove me home, walking me to the front porch when we arrived back at my house.
    This time he didn’t settle for a soft kiss on my hand. Andrei took me in his arms and gazed deeply into my eyes. “I had a fabulous time with you today.”
    My breathing quickened, and my heart began to thud in my chest. “So did I,” I told him.
    “I’d like to see a lot more of you, Rae,” he murmured.
    My breath caught. Was he asking me to be his girlfriend? “I’d like that, too,” I told him.
    “Good,” he whispered. He reached a hand up and brushed it against my cheek. He tilted my face up toward his and pressed his lips softly against mine. “I’ll call you tomorrow,” he promised as he pulled away.
    I watched Andrei walk back to his car and drive away.
    “Friend of yours?” Logan’s voice came from behind me.
    I jumped even higher than I had the night before. “Why do you keep sneaking up on me like that?” I demanded as I turned to face him.
    “It’s not my fault you don’t pay attention,” he responded, his voice harsh.
    “Why are you being a jerk again?” I had no idea what had upset him. “Why are you even here?”
    “You mean, you don’t remember?”
    “What are you talking about?” I asked.
    “I’m not surprised you forgot. You seemed a little busy.”
    My temper flared. He either ran hot or cold. I could never figure out his motivation. “Logan, what is your problem? Why are you here?”
    “I told you I would come back today to help you look for your cat. You seemed so upset last night. Obviously someone else made you feel better.”
    A wave of guilt washed over me. I had been so excited when Nuada had been returned to me, and even more