Cursed (The Brookehaven Vampires #4) Read Online Free PDF Page B

Internet. My vampire boyfriend’s high school girlfriend, possibly even his first love, was standing just behind me.
    I smiled a little, very uncomfortably, and turned back. I wondered where Oliver was, and if he was watching from some hidden spot.
    “I’m sorry to bother you,” the woman said.
    Her name suddenly popped into my head. Lacey. I remembered it only because it was way too close to my own name.
    I turned again, looking at her cautiously. I plastered a fake small smile on my lips as I faced her.
    She smiled at me. “That man you were just talking to, what is his name?”
    “I’m sorry?” I responded, trying to buy myself some time to come up with a response to her question.
    “The man you were just speaking to, he looks like someone I once knew,” she said with a small tremble in her voice.
    All I could think of as a response was because he is , but I didn’t say it, of course. “Oh,” I began, “well, we’re not from around here, I can’t imagine how you would know…my husband.”
    Okay, I may have gone a little far with the whole “husband” bit. Maybe it was a protective/jealous instinct that was way too strong in me. He was mine, after all, no matter that she had dated him first. Kissed him first… And who knows what else first …
    If he hadn’t been changed into a vampire, would they still be together? Would they be married and have a family?
    She glanced down at my hand, as if she was looking for a wedding ring. Her eyes quickly returned to mine when she found nothing. I mentally cursed myself while I struggled with my inner fit of jealousy.
    “This is actually our first trip to the coast,” I added, desperately hoping she would let it go and move on.
    Her smile faltered, leaving only the faint remains of itself behind. “Like I said,” she began, quietly, “I’m sorry to have bothered you. He just looks so much like a friend of mine that I lost many years ago.” There was nothing left of her smile when she finished her sentence.
    I stared at her, trying to figure out what to say. T he lines on her face were another reminder of Oliver’s real age, and the fact he looked nowhere near this woman’s age.
    “I’m sorry,” I said. And I was. I felt bad for her. She probably thought she had seen the ghost of her dead high school boyfriend. In a way, she kind of had.
    She forced another smile then continued down the aisle. I watched after her until she was gone. I felt sad for her, and also a little envious that she had gotten the chance to know my Oliver when he had been my age. Well, in this woman’s mind, he had actually never made it to my age.
    “Impressive,” I heard Oliver quietly say from behind me. “Also, an interesting twist. Your husband, huh?” I could hear the amusement in his tone.
    I figured he had been listening.
    I smirked, felt my cheeks burn, and turned to face him. “You hush it,” I told him, an uncontrollable smile in place. Then I turned back to the cart so that we could finish our shopping.
    “Wait, Laney,” Oliver said, grabbing my forearm to stop me. “Here.” He handed me some money and his car key. “You pay. I’m going to stay out of sight. I’ll meet you at the car.” He kissed my cheek, and with his hood still up, he shoved his hands into his front pockets and attempted to blend in with the crowd. Honestly, he looked suspicious, not inconspicuous. I shook my head and started for the registers.
    As I was heading to the front, I heard my phone chime with a message. I stopped and pulled it from my back pocket. It was Oliver.
    Don’t forget your bubble bath. Get the lavender, it was the least repulsive.
    I chuckled, grabbed a bottle of the lavender bubble bath, and headed to the front of the store.
    Lacey was in the next check-out lane over. I tried to avoid eye contact as we both finished up at the same time. I felt her eyes on me as I pushed my cart to the Challenger. I wondered if Oliver’s car was another giveaway. If she had known him