Storm Shells (The Wishes Series #3) Read Online Free PDF Page A

Had my homecoming rained on her parade that much?
    I cleared my throat. By the time I reached the couch, Gabrielle had pulled herself together. “Charli,” she crowed, jumping up and pushing Alex aside.
    “Hello, Gabrielle.”
    She threw her arms around me. “You look wonderful,” she said, pushing me away and holding me at arm’s length while she examined me. Clearly she was lying. Everyone else thought I looked pale and skinny.
    “Thank you,” I replied. “So do you.”
    Despite her red face and puffy eyes, she did look beautiful. I wanted to ask why she’d been crying but couldn’t bring myself to do it. I didn’t think it had anything to do with me. I hadn’t been in town long enough to reduce her to tears.
    “We have been waiting for you.” She sat on the white couch and pulled me down beside her. “I want to hear all your news.”
    “What do you mean, you’ve been waiting for me?”
    She looked embarrassed. “Please don’t think I’ve been prying. Boxes of your belongings have been arriving all week, so I called Adam. I was worried.”
    My concern was reserved entirely for him. “Did he sound alright?”
    Her perfect face lit up. “Fine,” she assured me, patting my hand. “He is terribly sad, but he’s coping.”
    It peeved me that she’d made it sound so final. I glanced at Alex, noticing his rigid expression. I focused back on Gabrielle. “I’m glad,” I said, mainly for Alex’s benefit. “I want him to be okay.”
    * * *
    The Parisienne’s bright mood lasted for the rest of the day. Whatever had upset her had passed. I kept her company in the kitchen while she conjured up a grand homecoming dinner.
    Coq au vin was a meal that should have knocked me on my chocolate-overdosed butt, but I managed to eat everything on my plate. It was the first real meal I’d had in days and I instantly felt better for it. I went to bed early, feeling well, content and glad to be home, but I woke at five in the morning raring to go. I stayed in bed as long as I could stand before heading to the kitchen. I was on my second bowl of cereal when Alex trudged in.
    “Charli.” He yawned my name. “Are you alright?”
    “I’m great!” My tone was much too chirpy for that time of morning.
    Alex joined me at the table. I slid the box of cereal, a bowl and the carton of milk across to him.
    “You look much better today.”
    “I feel better.”
    His lazy half smile looked more like a smirk. “I’m pleased to hear it. Do you have plans for the day?”
    “I thought I might come to the café with you.”
    He frowned down at his bowl as he unloaded the box of cereal into it.
    “Are you sure you want to? This place hasn’t changed much in the time you’ve been away.” I knew what he was hinting at. They were sparkly, overly made-up and once upon a time the two scariest girls I’d ever known, Jasmine and Lily Tate.
    I was actually hoping the Beautifuls hadn’t changed, because I most certainly had. I’d dealt with much bigger and badder than them since leaving town. “I’m up for it, Alex.”
    “Go and get dressed then. I’ll give you ten minutes.”
    I only needed five.
    * * *
    The drive to the café was reminiscent of old times, especially when Alex ordered me to put my seatbelt on. I tried to adjust the settings on the stereo and had my hand slapped. I pressed the button on my door and opened my window. Using the control on his side, Alex wound it up and locked it. “Don’t touch anything,” he ordered, making me giggle.
    We pulled into the car park, and Alex’s rushed pace seemed to wane. He made no attempt to get out of the car.
    “Are we just going to sit?”
    “For a minute. There’s something I want to tell you before we go in.”
    “Is it about Gabrielle?” I asked, wondering if he was about to explain her teary mood from the day before.
    He pulled a face like he was chewing on broken glass. “No. Why would you think that?”
    “She was crying when she came home yesterday,” I