The Fine Line Read Online Free PDF Page B

took pity on me the last time we moved, and I got the best room out of it.”  I turned my head to look at him and realized just how close I had leaned into him.  When I saw his eyes on me and not my balcony, I froze.
    The appropriate reaction would have been for me to pull away, but there was something about his eyes that kept me stuck there.  Nobody had ever looked at me the way he was looking at me right now.  It was as if he saw me…really saw who I was.  The thought of that, although intriguing, was unsettling.
    I wanted to lean back into my seat, I wanted to run, but I couldn’t move.  His pupils darkened and my heart began to pound.  Keeping his eyes on mine, with a serious expression, he slowly began leaning toward me.  My skin burned as the gap between his lips and mine began to close.  This beautiful man was going to kiss me.
    I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying desperately to keep control.  “Thanks for the ride,” I whispered huskily, thankful that my voice worked.
    I opened my eyes to see a small grin form on his face and amusement occupy his expression.  “Anytime.” 
    My body came to and I leaned back into my seat, taking a moment to gather my wits.  I’ve never felt anything like that with the boys I’ve kissed before…and that wasn’t even a kiss.  It was an almost kiss.  Thoroughly confused by my reaction to him, I opened the door and turned my head to face him.  “Bye.”
    I stepped out of the car, giving him a quick smile before closing the car door, and I began walking toward the house.
    “Hey, what are you doing tomorrow?” he asked through his open window. 
    Knowing that he wanted to see me again ignited a surge of excitement in me.  My eyes lit up and a smile immediately took over my face in response.  Fortunately, I was able to get it under control, to a cool-moderate level, before turning around to answer him.  “Cleaning the pub, working at Frank’s, then getting ready for school on Monday.  It’s going to be a busy day,” I shrugged. 
    I felt disappointed, yet relieved at the same time, that I wasn’t going to be able to see him.  I was concerned by the fact that I could feel myself letting my guard down around him.  The feeling he gave me every time he looked at me, the way my body temperature rose at the slightest touch, and the fluttering in my stomach every time he said my name, were all valid reasons to keep my distance. This unwanted attraction that I felt toward him needed to get under control, and it wouldn’t be fair to either of us if I led him on.
    With what I perceived to be a look of discouragement in his eyes, he nodded and smiled.  “Have a good night, Liv.”
     
     
    Chapter Five
     
     
    The first day of school came and went.  Most kids bustled with energy upon their return, but not me.  To me, school was nothing more than an item on the checklist of things to do.  Switching schools during third quarter last spring, after Mom married Jeff, and moving to an incredibly affluent town had been a challenge.
    Our home was modest, in a modest part of the town, but some of the kids at school lived in mansions.  At least that’s what they were to me. 
    Maybe it was just me, but kids seemed more “cliquey” here.  They weren’t mean…They just didn’t meander far from their herds, and the only person who made an effort to talk to me when I came here was Melody.  We hit it off right away.  The last day of the school year had been a relief, and the summer was a blast–but now that summer was over, I felt nothing but apprehension. 
    My routine, which consisted of school, work, homework, and sleep, was established within the first few days of school.  It had already gotten mundane by Thursday, which is why I was elated when Melody suggested we have some girl-time that night after work.  Her relationship with Nate had become serious over the summer and most of her free time was now spent with him.  I didn’t mind.  Mel