Read Kissing Eden for Free Online

there, man. We’re all real proud of what you’re doing.” Mac smiled and walked toward the kitchen.
    Grey raised the glass to his lips and took a sip. Unintentionally, I mirrored his actions. Every time he took a sip, I took a sip. I kept stealing looks at him behind the safety of my margarita glass. He still didn’t see me. Within five minutes, my second margarita was history. My head felt slightly fuzzy, but my whole body was tingling from the tequila.
    A third margarita didn’t seem like a good idea, but I looked at the clock hanging above the row of liquor bottles . It was only ten o’clock. I debated ordering another drink from Mac when I felt a tap on my shoulder.
    “My buddy and I were wondering if you play pool.”
    A guy, who was so lean his T-shirt swallowed him, smiled a toothy grin. His friend stood next to him holding two pool cues.
    “I’m not much of a pool player.” I fidgeted on the barstool.
    “We can teach you. I’m Connor and this here’s my buddy, Pick.” They each tipped the brims of their cowboy hats. There was no mistaking it. They were local Texas boys.
    Something about them made me want to give them a hug right then. “All right. I’ll give it a try, but only if you promise not to laugh when I completely whiff on my first try.” I took the stick from Connor.
    “We wouldn’t do that.” Connor’s smile was genuine.
    “I’m Eden, by the way.”
    Over the corner of Pick’s shoulder, I saw Grey. His eyes held mine with startling intensity. I was afraid that if I blinked, it would give him just enough leverage to see right into my thoughts. For a second, my knees went a little wobbly and my cheeks rushed with heat. Too many margaritas, Eden. I smiled at him, aware at how glad I was he had finally noticed me.
    “Ready to play?” Connor’s insistence shattered the trance. I hopped off the stool, wondering why Grey stared at me like that, and why it sent every nerve in my body into overdrive.
    I returned their smiles. “Yep. Teach away.”
    Regaining control of my senses, I followed the Texas duo to an open pool table. I leaned into the pool cue to steady myself as Pick and Connor argued about who was going to hit first. Knowing I had more distance from Grey, I peeked around the wall the guys made with their bodies. That look still had me distracted and curious. I watched as Grey threw a few bills on the bar and walked out of the double doors of Pete’s. I exhaled and tried to settle my body back to its normal state.
    Connor grabbed the rack , and lined the inside of the tray with the stripe and solid-colored balls. “You’ve really never played pool before?”
    “No , I haven’t. I guess that does seem kind of weird.”
    It wasn’t like I hadn’t spent time in bars, but for whatever reason, this scenario never happened. Taylor and I usually huddled somewhere to talk while the rest of our friends played and drank.
    “As long as you aren’t trying to hustle us.” He laughed and it made me feel relaxed, like I was hanging out with my brother and his friends.
    “I guess you’ll just have to wait and see, boys,” I teased, knowing I was blowing a lot of smoke.
    “ Whoa, Connor. Sounds like she’s already challenging us.” Pick leaned over the table with the stick cradled along the ridge of his thumb. He swiftly shot the stick forward breaking the triangle and scattering the balls around the table.
    “We’re trying to teach her how to play, not how to embarrass herself.” Connor was having fun taunting his friend.
    “Go ahead, pool master. If you think that was so bad, show us how it’s done.” Pick stepped to the side and took a swig of his beer. He was slightly shorter than Connor, but with a stocky frame. I could easily imagine him as a running back.
    Connor’s eyes squinted into a thin line , and I saw him bite down on the side of his tongue while he lined up his shot. “Seven ball in that corner and the two over there.”
    “Now you’re just showing off