Clarity Read Online Free PDF

known it was you that walked in … um … what can I help you with?” He ended his bumbling run-on with a wide smile.
    Mom sashayed over to the desk, her long skirt billowing, her pink blouse perfectly fitted to her frame. I couldn’t blame Phil for having a thing for her. She looked fantastic for forty. She kept in shape. Her fiery red hair had only a few strands of gray and fell over her shoulders in loose curls as she leaned over the desk.
    In an unnaturally throaty voice she said, “I was hoping you could help me with some permit questions.”
    Figuring he’d be more likely to break whatever rules Mom wanted him to break without me there, I slowly backed out of the office. And right into someone.
    “I’m so sorry,” I exclaimed, turning around to find myself face-to-face with Gabriel Toscano. The hot son of the new detective. I realized after a few stunned moments that my hands were still planted on his chest from our collision. I brought them down to my sides.
    “Sorry,” I repeated, dumbly.
    “You okay?” he asked. Long lashes framed his dark eyes. His black hair was disheveled and he wore a T-shirt and jeans, same as yesterday. But as effortless as his style was, it made him look even more like an Abercrombie model.
    “Yeah, just clumsy,” I finally replied. “What are you doing here?”
    “I work here.”
    I blushed. “With your dad?”
    “Yeah. I’m an explorer.”
    “Huh?” Was this some slang I wasn’t up on?
    “That’s my title. It’s part of a law enforcement training program. I mostly run errands, grab coffee, and follow my dad around, but it’ll look good on my college apps. I want to be a Criminal Justice major. Next summer, when I’m eighteen, I can be a seasonal officer.”
    “Cool.” I pictured him in uniform. Let’s just say the picture was … nice. “What are you doing in the town offices rather than the police side of the building?” I asked, trying to sound somewhat professional.
    “Oh.” He waved his hand dismissively. “The mayor wanted to talk to my father and me about some stupid idea his son had.”
    I held back a pleased smile. The mayor’s son was my ex-boyfriend, Justin Spellman. And by taking a swipe at him, Gabriel had just landed himself on my good side.
    “But I’m glad I ran into you,” he added, grinning. “Both figuratively and literally.”
    “Really? Why?” I clasped my nervous hands behind my back.
    “I wanted to thank you for that tip you gave my father in the restaurant yesterday.”
    I perked up. “About Tiffany Desposito? Did your father question her? Was she involved at all?”
    “Unfortunately, she wasn’t much help. She did argue with the victim about something petty, but her alibi is solid. She was working at the restaurant all night.” He arched one eyebrow and gave a little half smile as he added, “But even though that didn’t pan out, I will say that watching you dump that soda on her has been the highlight of my week so far. From the little amount of time I spent with her, it seems like that was deserved.”
    He’s gorgeous and has taken an immediate dislike to Tiffany. Thank you, universe, for delivering this boy to town.
    He shifted his weight as if he was about to walk away, so I blurted out the first question that came to mind to make him stay. “Why would you want to leave New York City to come to Eastport?”
    Then I immediately wanted to kick myself because it sounded like an insult. I added, “Not that I’m suggesting that your father downgraded or anything. I love Eastport. I grew up here. It’s beautiful.” Oh, just shut up, Clare!
    He smiled. “Well, word definitely travels fast in a town like this.”
    Oh no, he thinks I’ve been asking around about him. Now he’s going to think I’m a stalker.
    “We haven’t been in Eastport long, but …” He leaned closer, and I breathed in his scent — a mixture of soap, shampoo, and something intoxicatingly … boy. “I like it already. A lot.”
    I began to