California Sunshine Read Online Free PDF Page A

see Joshua standing there and before I realized it my breath had caught in my throat so I took a sip and slightly smiled at him. He gave Ashley a hug, breaking his eye contact with me. For a moment, my heart stilled until he sat down next to me.
                  "Nice to see you again."
                  I smiled and nodded, "You too."
                  "That dress looks really good on you."
                  At that moment, it felt like the world was closing in on me, and it felt like my whole body was shaking. Which on the inside it probably was, considering I hadn't had someone other than Ashley and Mike compliment me.
                  "Thank you," I whispered, feeling trapped.
     
                  After supper, we went upstairs to the lounge. Mike led us over to a corner couch with a little table. They slid in together, Josh held out his hand, motioning for me to go ahead of him. I smiled slightly and slid in next to Ashley. We all ordered our drinks, Ashley, and Mike fell into conversation as though Joshua and I weren't even there.
                  "I think it's crazy that they're finally engaged," Josh said, propping his elbows on the table and looking at me.
                  I nodded. "I know right? It's about time, though."
                  "How long have you known them?"
                  "Well I've known Ashley since kindergarten, and I've known Mike for the last four years. How long have you known Mike?"
                  "I've known him for the last sixteen years. We went to college together."
                  I smiled and nodded, taking a sip of my drink. "That's awesome. I bet it gets kinda hard to stay in touch, though."
                  Josh shook his head, setting his beer down. "Not at all. We work together."
                  "Even better then."
                  "Yeah. So what do you do in--?" He trailed off, his brows furrowing together.
                  I laughed. "Nashville.I actually scout new talent. Listen to demos, go to bars and see bands. I'm the one who finds 'em and signs em."
                  "Nashville. I've always wanted to visit the South. Your work sounds amazing. You like it?"
                  "I love it. Kind of missin' it, though. Two weeks and I don't know what to do with myself." I replied.
                  "Sounds familiar. I love work, but it's nice to get away and just take some time for yourself too."
                  "I do take time for myself. Almost every weekend. I either go hikin', or I just stay home and curl up on the couch with a good book."
                  Josh nodded. "So you like the outdoors? You only go hiking, though?"
                  "I love the outdoors. No, every once in a while I'll meet up with friends for a bonfire or ridin' four wheelers. If it gets me outside, I'm all in."
                  "And what about your boyfriend?"
                  I inwardly cringed. "I don't have one."
                  "Oh, I'm sorry. That's what I get for assuming a beautiful woman like you would have a boyfriend."
                  I laughed. "Well, I had a boyfriend. That's a long complicated story that I'd much rather not talk about right now, though."
                  "Well, one night before you go back home I'd love to hear this story."
                  I took another sip of my drink and realized that Mike and Ashley had disappeared. "Sounds good. So what about you? Girlfriend?"
                  He shook his head, "Not anymore. Not for a couple of years now."
                  "I'm sorry. You'll find somebody when the time's right. Hey, did you happen to see where Mike and Ashley disappeared to?"
                  Josh smiled, "Dance floor. Well for the