Luminosity (Gravity Series #3) (The Gravity Series) Read Online Free PDF Page B

or so, but I figured that was at least a little time together.”
    “Oh, whatever will we do to fill the time?” I teased.
    He smiled and then kissed me again, quickly this time. “So, you don’t mind? I didn’t interrupt any important plans?”
    “I don’t mind. This is a nice surprise,” I said, sitting next to him and leaning my head on his chest. “I’m guessing your parents are at the meeting.”
    “How did you know?”
    “My mother’s there, too. She’s apparently trying to join up.”
    He raised his eyebrows towards his hairline. “Really? I didn’t realize she was interested in joining. I thought your parents were wise to Thornhill’s ways.”
    “That’s what I thought, too. But apparently they approached her. Have you heard anything about this vetting process?”
    Henry nodded. “There’s a trial period a few times a year in which new members can join. They always invite a few people that they feel could be a good fit. Kind of like pledging a frat-house or sorority.”
    “Ariel! Can you come up here please?” Hugh called from the top of the stairs, causing me to jump. Feeling anxious, I hopped off the couch. I hadn’t heard Hugh come down to the main floor; I’d thought he was up in his studio. He could be as silent as a mouse.
    “Okay!” I yelled up the stairs. To Henry, I whispered, “I’ll be right back.”
    My heart beat furiously as I raced up to the dining room. Did he know Henry was there? Maybe Henry’s hiding job hadn’t been good, and Hugh had recognized the car.
    Hugh was reading through a stack of mail at the table, looking distracted.
    “What’s up?” I asked him.
    “Here.” He handed me a few letters. I waited for him to continue speaking.
    “This is it? Just letters?”
    “What were you expecting? Or should I ask, what have you done to make you expect something more serious?” He searched my eyes for a sign of self-incrimination.
    “Nothing, Hugh. Don’t be so suspicious.”
    “I’m only suspicious because it’s part of a parent’s job description,” he said, setting down the rest of the mail.
    “I’m just reading a book,” I bluffed. “Not even a scandalous one—no four letter words. You need to stop trying to make me less boring.”
    Hugh shrugged and walked to the recliner, settling down in front of a Red Wings game. He didn’t like many sports, but anyone touching the remote during a hockey game was asking for trouble. I watched him stare at the screen; he looked distracted and a little sad. I knew Claire’s attendance at the meeting was worrisome to him.
    I almost sat down beside him, but I knew the conversation would be long, drawn out and get us nowhere. I took the junk mail and went back downstairs.
    “False alarm,” I said, getting my breathing back to normal. Having him upstairs just above us freaked me out; there was every chance he would hear Henry’s voice. I switched on the TV, turning it up just loud enough to hide our voices.
    “I wish I could take you out on an actual date. Movie theater, a meal at a restaurant, the basics,” Henry said as I settled back down next to him.
    “The basics are overrated,” I said, shrugging. “It really doesn’t bug me. At least we’re more creative than that. I like just being alone with you.”
    He played with a strand of my black hair. “You don’t want candles or flower petals or slow, annoyingly mopey guitar music with a whiny singer?”
    I scoffed, ticking the responses off on my fingers. “I have my own candles, flower petals are cliche, and you know my taste in music. I’m not the traditionally romantic type.”
    “Could’ve fooled me,” Henry said sarcastically, snickering. “I’ve never met a girl who preferred chainsaw-wielding murderers in a movie to a couple falling in love.”
    “That what’s you like about me, though,” I said, grinning.
    “That I do. Beautiful, brave and loves blood and guts. Definitely a unique combo.” He kissed my forehead.
    “It doesn’t have