Free Dreamers (The Dreamers Series) by Brooklin Skye Page B

haven’t quite found a liking for the dude yet but still, how awful that nobody gave a rat’s ass about his whereabouts. Sad.
    “Well actually, the reason I ask is because I saw a headstone at one of the cemeteries I shot over the weekend. It had his name on it. If he was never found, it must be a coincidence on the name.”
    “It could have been his. His mother was Mrs. Manning, remember the lunch lady from Berkmar High School? She was dying and I think she needed closure, but it was all for show.”
    “What do you mean, for show?”
    “She buried a casket, but there was never a body.”
    “That’s horrible,” I whisper sadly.
    “Hang on, I’m confused. I thought you said this was someone met in class? Then you say you saw his headstone. Which is it?”
    My sister has an impeccable talent for picking up lies, which isn’t helping me considering I am an awful liar even on a well thought out scheme. Be that as it may, I straighten my posture and do my best to continue without further alarming her.
    “I DO know a Dominick Manning from school, that’s why I thought it was odd when I saw a grave with the same name. I did a little research and found out he lived in Lawrenceville. I was just interested in learning more about him, that’s all.”
    Her face still remains unsure, but she swallows the explanation easily enough. “Yeah, you won’t find much information on it. As I said, the police never followed up too much because he was an adult and had a history of disappearing. The only reason I even knew what was going on is because his brother goes to school with me. He is studying radiology, and damn is he good looking.” She smiles.
    Before I can further question her about this new man who is making her grin and blush, Alex and Aiden run towards us with sad faces and empty pockets.
    “Mom, can we have more coins?” Aiden sulks.
    Mia looks at her watch. “No, I think we need to go. Its five already, and you two have school tomorrow. We need to scoot home and take baths.”
    They whine in unison and follow us back to the car for a fussy ride home. Alex is continuously poking Aiden, causing a furious wailing meltdown. Mia’s nerves were beginning to split as we walk back through the door.
    “You two go to your rooms, right now! I’ve had enough! I will call you down when it’s time for baths.”
    They give me a hug and race upstairs, knowing better than to challenge Mia when she bears that look on her face.
    “You gonna stay for a while?” she asks. “Let’s have a glass of wine before you leave, those boys are driving me up the damned wall.”
    “Okay, but just one, I’m driving. And I want to hear more about this McSteamy Radiologist in training.” I smirk as she blushes slightly.
    We plop on the cream colored couch, sprawling out, each sipping on a glass of ice cold Pinot Grigio.
    “His name is Cayden Manning. He’s twenty nine.”
    “And…” I wait impatiently.
    “Single, absolutely drop dead gorgeous, funny—but he’s not Daniel.” She frowns.
    “Nobody will ever be Daniel, Mi. He wouldn’t want you to mourn like this. You have to resume your life. It’s not forgetting him, it’s just moving on—living.”
    “I know, it just feels like I would be cheating or something. I don’t know if I’m ready yet.”
    “You might not be ready for marriage, but it’s okay to go out and have dinner, or see a movie. It’s okay to smile. Just promise me you’ll at least consider it.”
    “I’ll think about it.” She dries her eyes quickly, and jumps subject. “So where is Heather taking you on your date?”
    “I don’t know exactly, she said we are going downtown.” I gasp. “Oh my god! I don’t have anything nice enough to wear to Buckhead.”
    “Let’s see what we can find.” She pulls me to upstairs to her room, toward the closet, and begins flinging clothes from their hangers, covering the bed with an array of colors. “Let the fashion show begin,” she chirps