Beautifully Broken by Sherry Soule Read Free Book Online Page B

a BlackBerry from the pocket of her tailored slacks.
    Jada leaned forward. “Yes, I have a boyfriend, Shiloh. But, a girl can still admire the male species,” she said, wiping crumbs off her black T-shirt.
    I giggled and Ariana joined me.
    “Did you guys hear he lives in Ravenhurst?” Jada asked, then without waiting for an answer, added, “Can’t imagine what kinda bizarre person would want to live there. I live on the same street, and it’s like something out of a horror movie. It needs major repairs. My parents are on a committee that is trying to pressure the Heritage Founders to have it torn down.” She shuddered, like something icky had crawled up her back. “I get freaked out just walking past it. Like it’s evil or something. But mostly, I hate it because it’s massively ugly.”  
    Paige snorted. “You’re such a snob. Who cares where he lives? I’m always on the lookout for my next ex-boyfriend.”
    “I thought you only dated barneys ,” Ariana teased.
    Page shook her silver-blond head. “So? I like smart nerdy dudes.” Her fingers flew over the buttons of the keyboard on her cell phone. “Ohhh! I found Trent’s profile on FB. Says he’s single.”
    “Let me see that.” Ariana snatched the phone from her hands. I leaned over her shoulder to sneak a peek. Trent’s profile pic showed him in shorts holding a surfboard on a beach, waves rolling in behind him. Tan, muscles flexed, stomach taut, and with a big smile on his face, he looked like an advertisement for swimwear. The smile was something new for me—at church, he’d just scowled. My heart tripped at the warmth in his eyes.  
      “He won’t be for long. He already has his eye on someone,” Ariana said, handing Paige back her phone.
    “Who?” everyone chorused, leaning in closer.
    Ariana opened her mouth, but I cut her off. “He does not!”
    All heads shifted in my direction.
    Jada threw a French fry at my head. “Something you want to tell us, Shiloh?”
    I pretended to be fascinated with my sandwich, tearing off the crust.
    Jada nudged Ariana. “What ‘bout you? Got the hots for Donovan? Only epic thing to happen here in years?”
    Ariana scoffed. “There’s definitely a swoonage factor. He’s like diverse and volatile. Except he’s definitely not into me—”
    “He came to church on Sunday, but he didn’t talk to anyone,” I interrupted, shifting in my seat and remembering how I’d drooled like a big doofus. I picked at my sandwich and recalled how gazing into those incredible emerald eyes had also stirred something deep within me. It was stupid to crush on a guy like him; I wasn’t beautiful or super sophisticated. I was nobody special.
    “But,” Ariana said, leaning forward, “he was totally checking her out.” I kicked her under the table. “Oww!” She rubbed her shin, grinning devilishly.
    “Lucky girl,” Jada said.
    My finger absently traced the thick red scar hidden under my sleeve. “Pretty boys like him don’t date, well, girls like me. He’s totally unattainable.”
    “ Hel-lo . Says who?” Jada’s laugh had a hard edge to it. “Don’t give me that pooh. That’s stereotyping. There’s nothing wrong with middleclass—”
    “I didn’t say that. I meant the guy’s out of my league.”
    Jada’s head fell to the side. “Are you really that clueless, Shiloh? If Trent can’t see how sweet and smart you are, then he’s a dumbass.” She winked to soften her words.
    “Thanks.” Everyone was staring, so I rolled my eyes and said, “Whatever.”
    “You’re just as good as he is. Better ,” Ariana said.
    “Yeahhh. Doesn’t he know who I am? I mean, hello ?” I teased, pointing at myself in a diva like fashion and wiggling my hips.
    “You should just talk to him—go up and say hi—”
    I cut Ari off. “No. No. That way leads to babbling and sweaty palms.”
    Ari waved a hand in front of my face to shush me. “FYI—Trent’s attending this fancy prep school in San Francisco, he