Free My Favorite Mistake by Georgina Bloomberg, Catherine Hapka Page A

when she saw how late it was. “I can’t believe it’s time to go already.”
    â€œSo don’t go.” Alex reached up, grabbed her hand, and pulled her onto the lounge beside him. “Stay one more day.”
    â€œI wish I could.” Tommi smiled at him. His hair had dried in funny little peaks, making him look impish and adorable. “But I’m showing tomorrow, remember?”
    â€œYeah, I know.” He reached out and pushed a stray strand of wet hair out of her eyes. “And showing’s important to you, and there’s the whole Legs thing with your dad. I totally get that. It’s just been so cool getting to know you, I wish you could hang out a little longer.”
    â€œMe too,” Tommi said, meaning it. The past two days had been amazing. That incredible kiss on the beach the first night hadn’t been a fluke, and neither had the great time they’d had together on the drive out. Alex was everything she liked in a guy—smart, funny, ambitious, a little snarky, and totally into her. He even still seemed interested in hearing about the horse stuff, which was more than Tommi could say for most of the guys she knew.
    For some reason, thinking about that reminded her of Grant. To be fair, he’d shown at least a little bit of interest in horses. He’d even come to a couple of shows to watch her ride. But that was different. Anyway, she couldn’t help being relieved that he’d had to miss this house party due to a doctor’s appointment and a family party. Otherwise things could’ve been pretty awkward.
    She forgot about Grant as Alex scooted closer. “Sure you can’t give this show a pass? Just this once?” he wheedled.
    â€œI can’t. Seriously.” Tommi smiled, flattered that he was trying so hard to change her mind even as she mentally calculated how long it would take her to drive back to the city. “For one thing, I promised this girl Zara from my barn I’d drive her down there tomorrow. She’s kind of counting on me for a ride.”
    â€œZara?” he echoed. “Wait, why does that name sound familiar? Did you mention her before?”
    â€œMaybe. I don’t know.” Tommi shrugged. She’d talked a lot about the barn, though she couldn’t remember if Zara had come up. “She only moved to the barn earlier this summer. Before that she rode in LA—she’s the daughter of Zac Trask and Gina Girard.”
    Alex sat up straight. “Zac Trask?” he said. “As in the singer Zac Trask? Seriously?”
    â€œYeah, that’s the one, fanboy.” Tommi couldn’t help smiling at his reaction. “Want me to get his autograph for you?”
    Alex laughed. “Sorry, yeah, guess that came out a little geeky,” he said. “It’s just, you know,
Zac Trask
. Actually though, I met him this one time last summer at a party over in Amagansett. Seemed like a cool guy.”
    â€œI guess.” Tommi’s eyes wandered to her watch. “I’ve only met him once myself. But listen, I really should get going soon, or—”
    â€œYo, lovebirds!” Duckface came out onto the back deck and waved at them. “We’re taking a vote. Indian food or Thai?”
    â€œI could go either way,” Alex said. He glanced at Tommi. “What about you? The new Thai place is really good. And you’ve got to eat, right?”
    â€œYeah, but I’ve got to sleep, too,” Tommi said, laughing as he tugged on her arm, pulling her to her feet and toward the house. “And if I stay here for dinner, I won’t get home until way late.”
    â€œPretty please? For me?” He stopped and faced her, smiling hopefully.
    She hesitated, knowing she should stay firm. That would be the responsible thing to do, the adult thing. But looking into his eyes, remembering how much fun they’d been having, she couldn’t make herself do