Persuaded Read Online Free PDF Page B

you.”
    “Did I hurt you just now?”
    “H–hurt me? No.”
    “You’re sure?”
    I smiled. “Yes, I’m sure. Thank you, I—”
    “Excuse me.” He nodded and walked into the men’s restroom.
    Oh. He left.
    It wasn’t until I sat down at the table that I realized he probably didn’t want to be seen with me when I returned.
    The rest of the night went as well as could be expected. Dinner was delicious, the company was polite, and the conversation was free of awkwardness.
    Later however, in my room, I replayed that scene in the foyer over and over again as I attempted to make more out of it than there was. But as many times as I tried to replay those brief words to my advantage, my mind always wandered to the smiles Gregory gave my stepsister. And more importantly the arm that was wrapped around her shoulders during the dessert course.
    It was a hopeless cause, and one I would have to learn to be grateful for.

    “Come on! You have to say you’ll come with us!” Kylie pleaded over the phone.
    “Kylie, four-wheeling is not my thing. Plus I’m not sure if I have to work yet or not.” The game my little cheerleading squad was performing at looked like it’d be cancelled, thanks to the other team getting hit hard with some sort of summer flu. I was still waiting for the official call that said if we were cheering or not.
    “You are the weirdest girl, seriously. I’m not sure why I even bother. It’s just a little tour of Farmington.” Kylie laughed. “Besides, can’t you call in sick?”
    “A tour? When do we have four-wheeling tours here in Farmington?”
    “Ever since Carson Franklin started up his own business last week. We’re his first big group.”
    I vaguely remembered the Franklin brothers. Carson was a year or two older than Ethan, Farmington’s four-wheeling champ. Ethan had graduated this year, and Carson had graduated a couple years before that. Not only were they the best drivers Farmington had ever seen—thanks to their dad teaching them everything he knew—their vehicles were constantly featured in sporting magazines worldwide.
    “Wow! That’s really cool that Carson got his business license. I bet he’s pretty excited right now.”
    “Are you kidding? He’s totally stoked! Everyone knows he’s going to be a huge hit. Come on, with as many awards as that guy has, who wouldn’t want to ride with him? You have to come. We’re gonna have a picnic and everything.”
    Picnic? Darn, I love picnics. “Well, who’s all going?” Perhaps the team will cancel after all.
    “I’m not sure, but as of right now I think it’s the new guy, Gregory . . .” As soon as Kylie said his name, I blanked out everyone else’s.
    Gregory will be there. Yes, Gregory will be there! Ack! Wait. I don’t know if I want Gregory to be there. I didn’t realize Kylie had stopped talking until it was too late. I tried to cover the pause. “Uh—wow! That’s a big group. Are you sure there’s room for me?”
    “There’s just nine of us.”
    “Yeah, but how are we all going to fit?”
    “Amanda, ugh. Stop worrying about everything. Carson totally owns a Land Rover with twelve seats now.”
    “Twelve seats? Is there something that big that can take us all off road?”
    “So are you coming or what?”
    “Uh . . .” I stalled.
    “Come on and say you’ll come, okay?” Kylie said, now using her whiny voice. “Everyone’s going to be there, and I don’t want to go without you. Please? Please, please, please, please?”
    “All right, fine. I’ll call and see if my junior cheerleaders have a game—if not, then I’ll go.”
    “Thank you. I’m going to let everyone know. I’ll be there at 3:00 to pick you up since Sydney is riding with Gregory. Make sure you’re wearing stuff to hike in, in case we have to.”
    “But Kylie, wait—”
    “Bye!” I heard her laugh as she hung up the phone.
    Great. What in the world have I gotten myself into? Four-wheeling with Gregory and Sydney—I don’t