ROMANCE: Vampire Romance Collection (Menage BBW Young Adult Paranormal) (Vampire Shapeshifter Romance Short Stories) Read Online Free PDF Page B

habit of shutting people out and retreating back into that bookworm world.”
    “What can I say,” Barbara said with a bratty smile.  “Sometimes the silly stuff in books is better than what I find in the real world.”
    “Like Annabelle?  Was that her name?  That character you invented.”
    “I dreamt her actually.  Annabelle.  And yes, she was my imaginary friend for a while after that.  But don’t worry, I put her back in the closet.”
    “Good!  Because no guy wants to hear that a woman of thirty still talks to her imaginary friends.”
    “Owch, did you have to throw in the part about being thirty?”
    “Sorry,” she said with a pained face.  “I just want to see you happy.  Don’t give up.  You never know when your special day will come.  And who knows?  Maybe my special day will be yours.  Maybe you’ll meet someone at the wedding!”
     
    **
    Maybe you’ll meet someone at the wedding. 
    Her sister assured her, doltishly as always, especially since this was a relatively small affair, with close friends, family and a very select invitation list.  Linda thought it romantic to have a wedding in a forest.  There was something magical about the smell of wood and greenery and the backdrop of tall redwoods and miles and miles of trees.  The air was crisp and the scent of soil was intoxicating. 
    When the much talked about event finally happened, it was all sort of a blur—not really the romantic pinnacle it was made out to be, Barbara figured.  They both repeated their vows, a bit shallow, and exchanged lovey-dovey looks—although Max seemed to look a bit conceited and removed, as always.  Then they said “I Do” and the same old Enya song played.  It seems oddly typical, and for more than just a moment, Barbara felt relieved it wasn’t her turn.  All the bridesmaids wore strapless dresses, red and silky, and as usual, thanks to Linda’s ditzy management, Barbara’s dress was one size too tight. 
    Refreshments were definitely the best part of the whole fake affair, with a “souped up” beautiful wedding cake with pillars and jewels, its swirl chocolate-white vanilla flavor and butter cream icing being the sweetest thing of the night.  Even Linda’s vows were surprisingly flat, as if the poor girl were too busy rehearsing things in her mind to say anything from the heart.
    Just as Barbara put down her cake slice, she caught sight of two burning stones—the vibrant and fixed eyes of a dark haired stranger. 
    She became self-conscious and put her plate down on the table, looking behind her, figuring this must have been one of Linda’s friends, or maybe even Max’s deviant buddies. 
    She turned back to the stranger, who was still smiling wide.  She raised her eyebrows as if asking, are you looking at me?
    The man walked up closer to her and put down his drink, not a martini or anything shaken or stirred, but simply a plastic cup of punch.  “Hello.”
    “Hi…sorry, do I know you?  I guess you’re a friend of…someone?”
    “I don’t believe we’ve ever met.  But there’s a first time for everything.”
    “Oh.  Oh, yeah, I’m Barbara.”
    “Barbara.  Nice to meet you.  I’m Lester.”
    “Oh, okay.” 
    His smile was still going strong, as if the man had no concept of awkward tension.  He was simply gazing at Barbara, happy to be conversing with the prettiest girl in the forest—or at least that’s what his eyes seemed to imply.
    “So how do you know the groom?  Or the bride?  You’re a friend of someone?”
    Lester laughed quietly.  “I’m a friend to everyone.  But yes, I actually know Max.”
    “Ah, he seems like a nice guy.”
    “Well, he can be.  He can also be childish and full of himself.”
    Barbara’s eyes widened and she guffawed.  “Oh wow.  Well, hey, I’m not going to argue you there.”
    “But all we really can do is wish them well.  C‘est la vie.  Because that’s what we would want in return, isn’t it?  Support and