Wishing Pearl Read Online Free PDF Page A

B RETT’S HOUSE . O UT BACK . A LL NIGHT .
    S OUNDS GR8 . C U THERE .
    A quick look out the window revealed two open garage doors—Mom’s Mercedes sat in one side and the other stood empty. Charles hadn’t arrived home from the office yet.
    Like a bird facing the blue sky beyond an open window, Olivia skipped every other step on her way down the marble staircase. “Mom?” She poked her head into the study. Not there. Olivia flitted through the dining room and the family room—empty. Finally, she heard the clanging of pots in the kitchen.
    “Hey, Mom.” Olivia waited at the arched entrance.
    Mom held a recipe card between her teeth as she measured out a teaspoon of vanilla. “Mm-hmm?”
    “Can I borrow the car tonight? I want to spend the night at Jordyn’s.” A little white lie wouldn’t kill anyone.
    Mom’s eyes lit up. “Sure, sweetie. That sounds like fun.”
    That was almost too easy. Mom actually seemed relieved. And no lectures about how newly licensed drivers shouldn’t have other riders in the car? No seat belt instruction? Nothing? How weird.
    “I’m going out tonight, too.” Mom gestured toward her baking project. “Girls’ night at Mary’s, and I’m in charge of dessert. I’ll take Charles’s BMW so you can drive my car.”
    “Cool.” Olivia turned at the doorway. “You know, Mom, you could always get me my own car. Then you wouldn’t have to share.”
    Mom grabbed an apple from the bowl of fruit on the counter and pretended to throw it at Olivia. “Very funny. You know how I feel about that. You need at least a year of driving experience before you get your own.”
    Blah. Blah. Blah
. “Well, it was worth a try anyway.”
    Olivia rummaged through the junk drawer when Mom turned toward the oven. There. A hammer should do the job. Olivia slid the tool up her sleeve, then took the stairs two at a time on the way back to her room to install the new lock. With any luck she’d be gone long before
Chuck
got home. With a little more luck, she wouldn’t be back that night at all. But if she had to come home, at least she’d be able to lock her door.

Chapter 3
    O livia stepped through the wrought-iron gate into Brett’s backyard, a private beach on the north shore of Chicago’s Lake Michigan. The stars glimmered in the water just beyond the roaring bonfire. Students she knew from school and some much older teens she’d never seen before milled around the yard, the moon lighting their way. Olivia grinned. She’d had enough of being the good girl all the time—what did she have to show for it anyway? It was far past time to let loose and find out what life was all about.
    “Livly!” Barefooted Jordyn came running toward her wearing a frayed denim miniskirt, a sheer tank top, and sunglasses. She grabbed Olivia’s hand and danced in a circle.
    “You’re crazy! And you’ve got to be freezing.” Olivia shook her head and rubbed her arms against the chill in the autumn air. “Can you even see with those dark glasses on?”
    “Who needs to see? I let my heart lead me.” Still gripping Olivia’s hand, Jordyn looked her up and down. “You look hot tonight. You’re going to have to let me borrow that top sometime. I love off-the-shoulder shirts.”
    “I wasn’t sure I should wear it.” Olivia adjusted the single strap and pulled down the fitted waistline of the stretchy purple top.
    “Are you kidding? It’s perfect, and those jeans are to die for.” Jordyn twirled one more time and pulled Olivia toward the party. “Come on. There’s some people I want you to meet.” She lowered her sunglasses and peered over them, wiggling her eyebrows. “College boys.” She let go of Olivia’s hand, flipped her ponytail over her shoulder, and set off toward the bonfire.
    “Are Brett’s parents home?” Olivia searched the yard for signs of an adult.
    Jordyn lowered her glasses again.
    If she couldn’t see, why didn’t she take them off?
    “You can’t be serious. Did you see that