Pretty Hate (New Adult Novel) Read Online Free PDF Page B

my head.
    “What did you bring me?” I said.
    “Uh, I didn’t bring you anything.”
    I looked at her as I picked up the package, wrapped in brown kraft paper and dropped it back down on the counter.
    “You seriously didn’t bring this?” I said.
    “Nope. What’s it say?”
    I looked at the inscription, written in black Sharpie across the front of the package.
    “‘ It was better to burn than to disappear ’,” I said as I stared at the writing. “It’s a quote from something.”
    “Well, open it!”
    I turned the package over and carefully pulled the tape off the folds and spread the paper out. I flipped the slim paperback over and smiled as I stared at the cover. Stephanie looked at the book over my shoulder and giggled.
    “The Stranger , Albert Camus,” she said and clicked her tongue. “Well, that certainly ain’t from Billy Rider.”
    I flipped through the book and noticed the writing in the margins and the dog-eared pages.
    “It’s used,” Stephanie said and scoffed.
    “It’s perfect,” I said. “It’s from him.”
    “Him, who? Isn’t there a note?”
    “I know it’s from him,” I said and held the book against my chest. “I don’t need a note. Look.”
    I pointed at the title page and Stephanie stared at it and smiled.
    “Nicolas Miles, 86 North 10 th Street, Brooklyn, 11211. Wow, he’s from New York? Maybe he just moved here.”
    “I don’t know,” I said. “I can’t believe that he--”
    Stephanie hit my arm and I looked up at the door just as he walked through. He had a piece of paper and a pen in his hand and he held his arms out and smiled when he saw me and Stephanie at the counter.
    “Oh, man,” he said and scratched his head as he looked at me. “I realized I forgot to write a note. Um, well, that’s from me. An apology gift. I’m Nicolas.”
    He took a step toward me and held his hand out. I slipped my hand into his and he held on as he stared at me.
    “I’m Beth,” I said and smiled.
    “Beth,” he said. “That’s a really...you’re really pretty.”
    He released my hand and I smoothed my hair down. I pictured myself ripping the tight, white Henley off his chest as I pushed his Levi’s down his legs.
    “Um, so...” he said and cleared his throat as he looked at Stephanie.
    “I’m Stephanie,” she said and pushed me aside to shake his hand. “I’m sorry I called you a psycho yesterday. It was a bad day.”
    “Oh, yeah,” I said and shook my head. “Really bad day. Sorry.”
    “Actually, it was psycho asshole, but I’m glad to meet you,” he said.
    “Thank you for the book,” I said and tapped on the cover. “I don’t know a lot of people who read philosophers.”
    “Well,” he said and smiled, “now you know one more.”
    “So you live in--”
    “Would you like to go out with me? Like, on a--”
    “Yes. When?” I said.
    “Oh, um, tomorrow night?”
    “Tomorrow’s perfect,” I said. “Where?”
    “Well, the only place I’ve been is The Atherton Pub, do you know it?”
    “Yes, I’ve been there a few times. Want to meet there at six?”
    “Sure, that was easy,” Nicolas said and smiled. “I will see you tomorrow at six at The Atherton Pub, Beth. I’m looking forward to it.”
    He stepped closer to me and pressed his lips against my cheek. I inhaled and he smelled like Fahrenheit cologne.
    “It is nice meeting you,” Nicolas said into my ear.
    I closed my eyes as he walked out the door of the bookstore and made a wish that he didn’t die on his way home.
    “Don’t say a word until he is far away from the plaza,” I said and turned to stare at Stephanie.
    “I can’t believe this, Beth. It’s just like a fairy tale.”
    “I know!” I said and jumped up and down and hugged Stephanie. “Isn’t he hot?”
    “So hot!” Stephanie said and looked out the window. “Shit, party’s over. Mr. Reece is out there looking at the cardboard.”
    Mr. Reece ran into the store and stared at me.
    “What in the hell has been