Elemental Reality by Cesya Cuono Read Free Book Online Page A

kidnap me and hold me down with his strong arms. Or hopefully he would. The whole argument was futile.
    “Cal, in my mind ‘sweets’ equals sex because sex is sa-weet,” she replied with way too much enthusiasm. She had a Red Bull; I could tell.
    “And you would know this how?”
    “Less worrying about me and more worrying about you getting some tonight.” She rotated her hips suggestively.
    I was terrified of two things: Oli and the outfit Lola was going to pick out for my “hot date.” Knowing her, it would be something totally sexy that would increase my chances of “getting some.” It was pointless to fight her on this, so I followed her command.

7
    Power Surge
    I sat on my bed as Lola and Ady rummaged through my closet and drawers. Lola somehow managed to call Ady during our short journey from the kitchen to my bedroom. Ady most likely violated every traffic law in our development to get here as fast as she could. She barreled up the stairs and into my room. Diving onto my bed, she didn’t even let me say hello before she made me tell her everything from beginning to end. She even called Emery and had him on speakerphone so he could be part of it. Was my dating life so parched it warranted a full-scale assault from my friends just to squeeze the tiniest bit of information from me? I knew it was bad, but not that bad.
    After telling the entire story—minus the almost-kiss, of course—Ady and Lola went into fashionista mode. Their veins must have been filled with adrenaline because they ran around my room like headless poultry. After the whirlwind they unleashed, they finally narrowed it down to one outfit each. Lola picked out a heather grey sweater dress from her closet while Ady picked my grey, off-the-shoulder shirt and silver ankle leggings.
    “Guys, don’t I get a say?”
    They glanced at each other, nodding their heads once, then turned back at me. “No,” they said in unison.
    “Why not?” I whined. “You know I’d be more comfortable in my skinnies, tee, and Chucks.”
    “We know,” Lola said.
    “Dress sexy on the first date because it’ll make heads turn,” Ady chimed in. “And if he really likes you he’ll make sure everyone knows you’re his.”
    “Right,” Lola continued. “Then on the second date you can dress more comfy. Or go without clothes if you want.”
    Ady playfully slapped an unrepentant Lola on the arm.
    “Fine,” I grumbled, rolling my eyes. Sometimes one had to admit defeat. I choose Ady’s outfit because I didn’t want Lola to complain when I stretched out the chest in her sweater. Ady squealed and clapped her hands, way too excited over a simple choice of clothing. They shoved me towards the shower, patting themselves on the back.
    Once in the shower, I let my mind wander. There was something about Oli that had put me in a disquieting ease. Our conversation flowed without effort, which surprised me because I was a socially awkward person at heart. And then there was the whole Cayden thing. There really was no comparing the two; they were both so different, and I was attracted to both. Cayden had a cocky confidence around him while Oli was more laid back. And the way I melted like chocolate when Oli held my arm was unlike anything I’d ever felt before. He had ignited something inside me and brought it to life. But Cayden? He’d snatched me up and twirled me into a twisted emotional mess—and I liked it. I was so screwed.
    Lola banged on the door as soon as I turned the water off. “You’ve been in there for thirty-five minutes. Ándale ,” Lola shouted.
    I rolled my eyes at her impatience. “No need to go all Spanish on me. Jeez, get your panties out of a bunch.”
    When I opened the door, Lola pounced and drug me to their impromptu manicure and pedicure station. They could buff, polish, and dress me if it made them happy, but I refused to let them touch my hair or makeup. Last time they made me look like an eighties popstar. My hair was so big birds