Freeing Destiny (Fate #2) by Faith Andrews Read Free Book Online Page A

a man to complete her, I was certain love did conquer all. And that left me to ruminate the possibilities of the L word with Jack—someone I just met, someone I’d be leaving behind before anything real could even start.
    Pulling my fluffy pillow over my face, I screamed into the soft, downy cotton to relieve my frustration. When I was done taking my anger out on the innocent, inanimate object, I looked up to find my sister gaping in the doorway. “Problem?” she asked, her hand on her hip. The sight of her twin drowning out her sorrows in a pillow was old hat by now.
    “Yes,” I huffed. I didn’t really want to talk about it, especially not with the ever-pessimistic Nina, but maybe she could shed some light on my dilemma. “Where’s Ryan?” I asked, making sure the coast was clear to be candid.
    “Fell asleep while we were watching a movie,” she answered as she jumped onto the bed, causing the mattress to spring to life. “What gives?”
    “Jack Davis gives.” He did—he gave good face, good vibes, good freaking everything.
    “Hmmm,” she hummed, while arching a well-groomed brow.
    “That’s all you have to say? I was hoping for more than that.” There had to be a way she could make it all better.
    “I can’t believe it had to be Aubrey’s brother to crack the stone around that heart of yours.”
    Rising to a sitting position, I flung an errant throw pillow at my sister’s head. “Stone? Are you serious? I’m the nice twin, or have you forgotten that?”
    “You’re known as the nice one because I don’t take anyone’s shit, but that’s not what I meant. You’re always so guarded, Stells. I’ve never heard you even mention a guy, let alone seem all flustered and in a tizzy. You know this is terrible timing, don’t you?” Blunt, much? That was Nina.
    “Tell me something I don’t know. What am I going to do?”
    Curling her slim legs beneath her backside like a little girl getting ready to gossip at a slumber party, Nina reached over to rub my hand. “You’re leaving soon. Jack will be part of your past. I can spell it out for you if it’s something you need to hear, but I think you know the answer, Stells.”
    Oh, I knew the answer, all right. It was clear cut, completely unambiguous. Stella Edwards didn’t need a man to define her, and she certainly couldn’t get herself confused about her mindset over someone she’d known for all of twenty-four hours. Stella Edwards and Jack Davis could not be anything more than friends. It was that simple. Tomorrow’s little rendezvous would be nothing more than a day at the beach with a fond acquaintance. I couldn’t flirt, or drop innuendos, and I certainly couldn’t allow Jack to get under my skin any more than he already was.
    The option of cancelling our plans wasn’t even a consideration—I was entitled to some fun, right? So that meant I had some serious pretending in my future. “Yup, Neen. You’re right. I know exactly what I have to do.”

    Jack
    Getting ready for the beach that morning was like planning for The Day of Reckoning. I refused to be unprepared for anything .
    If Stella wanted a four course picnic lunch—I was good. If she wanted to listen to some tunes—yup, had that too. Did she want me to massage tanning oil onto the delicious curves of her back that she couldn’t reach on her own—shit, I hoped so. Bottom line, I was ready for whatever came our way.
    A smile tugged at my lips. I’d have my Sunshine to keep me company even if only for another day. A meaningless day in the grand scheme of the countless number we’d wind up spending apart—maybe—but beggars couldn’t be choosers. I’d take Stella in the tiniest of doses if it meant having her around a little longer.
    When the last of the gear was tucked away in the hatch of my Jeep, I flipped my shades from atop my head to cover my eyes, and hopped behind the wheel. Twenty minutes later, the crappy traffic on the freeway had me cursing over the music. Time