On the Outside Looking In (Wrong Reasons) Read Online Free PDF

into bed, a happy smile still on my face.
    ***
    Even though I didn’t have to work Sunday morning, I still entered the coffee shop but this time, stood in line behind everyone else.
    “Hey, Morgan,” Jill, the girl working the counter, greeted.   “Can’t stay away, huh?”
    “No,” I smiled.  “I had a late night last night and now I need to study.  I need a little caffeine to wake my brain.”
    “What are you having?” she asked.
    I ordered a mocha latte, which she called over her shoulder, and chatted while I waited for Molly to make it.
    “You had a late night, huh?” Jill asked after taking another order.
    “Yeah, just hanging out with friends,” I said.  “Nothing too exciting.”
    “Beats what I did,” Jill frowned.  “I had to attend my grandfather’s birthday party.  It didn’t run late but after spending all evening with my family, I was worn out.”
    I laughed just as Molly placed my drink on the counter.
    “Thanks,” I said, turning to find an empty booth so I could sit with the newspaper.  I wanted to relax before spending the rest of the morning studying.
    As I flipped through the pages, scanning the local news, customers streamed in and out at a slovenly pace, enjoying a cool but sunny Sunday morning.
    Sipping my coffee, I was suddenly aware of a presence standing near my table.  Before I even lifted my head, I knew who it was.
    “Can I help you?” I asked.
    He chuckled as he sat across from me.  “I thought you weren’t working.”
    Sighing, I folded up the paper and looked into his eyes.  “No, I was trying to relax before I started studying.”
    “Didn’t you study enough last night?” Evan pouted, his lower lip jutting out.
    “I ended up going to my friend’s house, if you must know.”
    He nodded, turning his head.  “I thought you didn’t want to hang out because you had to study.”
    “Don’t play the injured party with me,” I said, toying with my cup.  “Bailey texted me and I thought something was wrong.”
    “Was there?” he asked, lifting a brow.
    “No.  They just wanted me to come over to celebrate.  Out Back was offered a contract.”
    He cracked a grin.  “Yeah, I heard.  Rusty told me.”
    “Well,” I said with a shrug, a tad disappointed that he’d taken the wind from my sail.  “I went over to celebrate with them.”
    “Good,” he said.  “I’m glad you got out and didn’t sit alone with a pile of books all night.”
    I leaned over the table, anger beginning to stir.  “What are you, my social guardian?”
    He laughed at that.  “Sure, I could fill that position.”
    “I don’t want you to.”
    He shrugged, unconcerned.  “I like you, Morgan.  I think you’re full of fire.”
    “I’m not full of fire,” I said as heat scorched my cheeks.
    “Whatever you say,” he said, his nonchalance irritating the hell out of me.  “So, do you want to hang out today?”
    “I just told you that I had to study.”
    “So?  You said you had to study last night but you ended up with your friends, instead.”
    “Yes, but now I really need to study,” I insisted as I drained my cup and got to my feet.  “Look, I appreciate your offer and I think it’s sweet that you’re so nice to me, but I don’t want to hang out today.”
    “How about tomorrow?”
    Groaning, I picked up my paper and my empty cup.  “I have to go.”
    “Hang on,” he said, jumping to his feet.  He produced a cell phone from the pocket of his leather jacket.  “I’ll give you my number and you can give me a call when you want to hang out.”
    I stared at him, incredulous.  He was never going to give up.  With a sigh, I set the paper and the cup on the table in order to retrieve my phone.  “Fine, give me your number.”
    As he gave it to me, I entered it into my phone.  When I finished, I tucked the phone into my pocket and picked up my things again.  “Thank you.  I’ll give you a call.”
    “Hey, aren’t you going to give me your