Never Say Never by Victoria Christopher Murray Read Free Book Online

to touch him.
    Then he opened his mouth. “Nice to meet you, too.”
    I had to hold on to the chair so that I wouldn’t swoon! He sounded just like Barry White, whom Michellelee blasted from the stereo.
    â€œSo, I guess the girls aren’t ready.” Chauncey opened his coat and sat down on the chair. Which left only the couch for Jamal.
    â€œNo,” I said. “But I’ll go check on Miriam.”
    â€œYou don’t have to,” Chauncey said. “I’m sure she’s just about ready.”
    â€œI don’t mind.” Moving quickly, I grinned at Jamal, then pushed open Miriam’s door without even knocking. Closing the door behind me, I whispered, “I’m going with you.”
    â€œWhat?” she said louder than I wanted her to. “And why are you whispering?”
    â€œChauncey and Jamal are right out there and I don’t want them to hear us, but I’m going with you.”
    â€œSo Michellelee talked you into it, huh?”
    â€œYes,” I said, thinking that was a good excuse. “But I need thirty minutes to get ready.”
    She shook her head. “I have to be there for photos, so if you’re not ready in fifteen, we’re outta here.”
    I leaped out of her bedroom, grinned again at Jamal, then took the steps two at a time to my bedroom, which was next door to Michellelee’s. I don’t think I’d ever moved so quickly, and before fifteen minutes had passed, I was back downstairs before either Michellelee or Miriam.
    â€œSo, you’re going, too?” Chauncey asked, looking a little confused.
    â€œUm . . . yes. Miriam didn’t tell you?” Even though I was talking to Chauncey, I was looking at Jamal. “I love to support the Upward Bound program. It’s such a good cause.” Then, without giving either one of them a chance to answer, I slipped down onto the couch next to Jamal. “Were you with Upward Bound, too?”
    â€œNo.” He shook his head.
    Not Upward Bound? That was how Miriam and Chauncey had met; I thought Jamal had been part of that program, too. Well, I’d just have to find another way to connect. But before I could switch subjects, Michellelee sauntered down the stairs at the same time that Miriam came out of her room.
    Since I wasn’t supposed to be a part of this little party, I sauntered off to the side as the introductions were made. I watched Michellelee as she looked Jamal up and down, but her smile was steady.
    â€œWe’d better get moving.” Miriam opened the door to the front closet, where we all kept our coats.
    Chauncey led the way and Miriam followed him, but before Michellelee could step out of the door with Jamal, I called her back. When Jamal looked back over his shoulder, I said, “I forgot something and I need Michellelee.”
    Michellelee frowned as I pulled her back into the townhouse. “What’s up?”
    Michellelee and Miriam were like sisters to me, so what was most important was my relationship with Michellelee. If she was into Jamal, then I would back away. But if she was not . . .
    â€œWhat do you think?”
    â€œOf what?”
    â€œOf him? Do you like him?”
    â€œJamal?” She shrugged. “He’s okay; I’m just not into that kind of guy.”
    â€œYou’re not into the tall, dark, and handsome kind?”
    She waved her hand. “He’s fine, but in such an obvious sort of way. I like my men with a little more of an edge.” Then she paused. “Wait a minute . . . why’re you asking me? Are you interested?” she said like she couldn’t believe it.
    I nodded.
    â€œHe’s black,” she said.
    â€œI noticed.”
    â€œAnd you’re blonde.”
    â€œI have been all my life and the carpet matches the curtains.”
    â€œEwww!” Michellelee said. “You’re nasty.” But then she grinned. “Well, go for