Whirlwind Read Online Free PDF Page A

blinked furiously. If it were possible, she became even more radiant at that moment. She practically glowed under his gaze.
     
    Surprisingly, Mitch didn’t return the smile. With a tangible intensity, he surrounded his bride with wordless adoration, seeming to see nothing but her as she closed the distance between them. He held out a trembling hand and swallowed before looking to her father, almost fearfully. Mitch had once told me he was sure Ann was a dream that would disappear someday, but I’d thought he was joking. Seeing how terrified he was at this moment, I felt bad for having teased him.
     
    Mr. Linwood murmured a few unintelligible words and patted Mitch on the shoulder. Mitch nodded solemnly, then offered Ann his arm. Her aura surrounded them both as she clung to him, and several people in the crowd sighed.
     
    Watching the two of them climb the steps to the minister, I understood exactly why Ann had chosen this subdued venue. Against the soft background of cream and blue, she and Mitch outshone everything and everyone.
     
    Well, almost everyone.
     
    Waiting on the top step, Jason winked at his brother and soon-to-be sister-in-law. The lights meant to frame the bride and groom also illuminated his eyes, adding neon sparkles to his azure irises—especially when they darted to me.
     
    Although I tried to stay focused on Mitch and Ann, my attention kept shifting to the man next to them. Jason’s eyes flickered to me a couple of times before he turned to face his brother, and my heart skipped a beat every time they did.
     
    Once stationed next to Mitch, Jason stood motionless, as if locked in a masterpiece, listening intently. Out of the bright sunshine, his hair took on a darker, richer look, and my eye was drawn to a few renegade lengths that curled invitingly toward his ear. Surely some lucky girl would smooth them back into place tonight, and my fingers twitched, wishing they could do the honors.
     
    What was I doing? “No time for a guy,” I’d said pompously, as if I was turning them away by the dozen. The truth was I’d never attracted such attention before, especially from someone so devastatingly handsome. Men regarded me in only two lights: tough and equal, or plain and invisible. The only relationships I’d had came about more as afterthoughts than by design—starting with a bored, “So, you don’t have a date, huh?” rather than a breathless, “May I join you?” I’d never been pursued, and I had most certainly never done any pursuing.
     
    It’s about time, don’t you think?
     
    I couldn’t believe the words ringing in my head. Me, go after him? As crazy as the notion was, I couldn’t help but stare at Jason, wondering…wanting…
     
    The minister’s words became but a low hum in my ears as I sifted through everything Mitch had ever told me about his younger brother.
     
    Jason had spent most summers in school, I remembered. Mitch had complained about how little he saw him. What was Jason studying…was it pre-med? He went to school in the Midwest somewhere…at Ohio State …no, Michigan . Crap! Those schools are arch rivals. I can’t screw that up—he’ll never speak to me again!
     
    Again? It wasn’t like we’d had an actual conversation. Jason had hardly said two words to me.
     
    He and Mitch were close—I knew they corresponded regularly by text and email—but the only photo Mitch had of his brother was a wallet-sized candid from at least ten years ago. The water-soaked boys in the picture looked nothing like the tailored men standing together today.
     
    My tongue slid around my teeth, searching for the wayward piece of hamburger that must be stuck there. Why else would Jason keep looking at me? Maybe my little episode had him thinking I’d be a good subject for his next psych paper.
     
    Laughter erupted, and I looked around quickly, expecting to see everyone staring at me. Thankfully I was not the center of attention this time. Something the minister said