Paradise Island: Complete Edition Read Online Free PDF Page A

yet, but it was only a matter of time. If her entries were to be believed, she wasn’t a bad looking gal, and though the man she wanted was handsome, he was also older than her.
    “What’s all this?” Lucy asked when she came back into the room after a quick shower.
    “Just some journals I gotta hold of. Not too interesting yet, but it has potential to get better.”
    “Where’d you find the darned things?” Lucy asked, most of her attention on opening a fresh bottle of wine.
    I hesitated before telling her. “Jack’s,” I said, and then added when I saw the look on her face: “Nothing like that. I was out walking and that terrible storm had just started. Jack was on the beach and he offered me shelter in his place.”
    “Tell me more,” she said as she held out another wine glass. I shook my head. I did not need another headache.
    “Not much to tell. Borrowed journals, then I ran into Henry, taking photos of the sunset for Digby’s. Can you imagine this place becoming a tourist destination?”
    “That creepo. I hope he didn’t give you too much trouble,” Lucy said as she poured generously into her wineglass, almost filling it to the brim. She meant Henry, of course. She wasn’t a huge fan of the fellow, but I didn’t mind him too much. He seemed nice enough. A bit weird, but then so was I. “Anyway, I know you’re trying to change the subject, and I want details. And lots of them. Let me live vicariously through you for a change.”
    I told her everything that had happened. I even recounted the shirtless incident for her more than a couple of times, at her behest. She delighted in imagining being the one there instead of me.
    “Oh God,” she said. “You were so close to him. And it seemed like he wanted you, and instead of shagging the guy, you borrow a couple of old ass journals from him? What’s up with that, Sophie? What’s up with that?”
    “It’s actually quite spooky. These journals,” I lifted the one I was reading to show her. “His builders found them hidden in the walls of the old house when they tore it down. I wonder why anybody would go through all that trouble to hide journals, that from what I can tell, are just a lovesick girl pining for a man she couldn’t, or at least shouldn’t have.”
    Lucy’s face went blank for a second, and then when she realized I was staring at her, she was back to normal.
    “What’s wrong?” I hoped I didn’t offend her with my description of the girl. Surely she knew I didn’t mean anything by it?
    “No, nothing,” she waved her hand as if it indeed was nothing to worry about. “Just that damn diner. If we were busier, it wouldn’t be so bad, but that place is dead most of the time. I really need to get away from this island. And once I do, you’re coming with me. Unless Jack Hotdamn Stark doesn’t sweep you off your feet first!”
    “Oh Lucy. You don’t have to worry about that. At least Mr. Bottoms is at the diner most of the time, that’s gotta count for something.”
    “One patron hating all our pies doesn’t count and you know it.”
    She took a huge drink. I knew Lucy wasn’t happy on the island, but most of the time it was easy to forget. She would rarely be home at night, going out with some guy or other, always inviting me to join them, to make it a double date kind of thing with one of his “mates.” I always refused, of course. But it seemed for the past week or so the dates had dried up.
    “Things going well with Sam?” I asked, wanting to change the subject. He was the last guy she had dated, and they seemed to be going strong. Until a week ago that it is. Usually he would call her, but that hadn’t happened in just as long. I wondered if they had broken up.
    “I caught him shagging another girl. Kate if you can believe it. What a fucking twat.” Lucy took another huge gulp of her wine. It seemed I had hit a nerve without even meaning to.
    “Oh, Lucy, I’m so sorry.” I said, utterly sincere.
    “It’s