Temptation by R.L. Stine Read Free Book Online

she thought. But maybe her mother was a little bit right about him. Maybe he is a little immature.
    April stepped to the corner and peered up and down Dune Lane, one of only two cross streets in town.
    I’m not going to wait for Matt all summer, she thought.
    Gazing at the shadows on the street created by swirls of fog under the corner streetlight, April suddenly sensed that she was being watched.
    She turned to see a tall, thin boy in a black sweatshirt and dark, straight-legged denims. He was standing on the opposite corner in front of the camera store. The curtain of fog seemed to part in front of him, and as he stepped under the white light of the street lamp, April could see him with almost exaggerated clarity.
    He was very handsome, she saw, with straight black hair, very pale, almost white skin, a slender, serious face, and dark eyes, which he turned away when he realized she was staring back at him.
    He looks like an actor or a model, April thought. He’s almost too good-looking.
    She wondered if he was waiting for someone. Then the fog seemed to close in around him, and he became a solitary, still shadow among many moving shadows.
    I’m giving Matt five more minutes, April decided, pacing angrily back and forth between the corner and the front of the arcade. Then I’m going home.
    This is a bad start to the summer, she thought. She decided she’d just have to be straight with Matt. There were two kinds of people in the world—those who always showed up on time and those who never showed up on time. April was always punctual. And if they were going to have a good time this summer, she decided as she paced, Matt would have to be punctual too.
    Glancing at her watch, she was about to give up on him when a hand touched the shoulder of her sweater.
    Startled, she spun around, expecting to see Matt.
    Instead she stared into the penetrating, dark eyes of the handsome boy she had seen across the street.
    â€œHi,” he said shyly. “Sorry. Did I scare you?”
    â€œNo,” April lied. “I mean—no.”
    â€œAre you lost or something?” he asked. “I saw you here and I thought . . .” His voice trailed off. He stared into her eyes.
    â€œNo. I’m not lost,” April said with a sigh. “I’m waiting for someone.”
    â€œOh. Sorry.” The boy took a step back.
    He couldn’t be a townie, April thought. He’s so pale.
    But so good-looking.
    He flashed her an embarrassed smile. “I didn’t mean to bother you.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” April said. She realized she didn’t want him to leave. “Is this your first summer here?” she asked.
    He shook his head. “No. I’ve been here before. It doesn’t usually get this foggy in town.”
    â€œI know,” April said. “By the way,” she added, feeling a bit awkward, “I’m April Blair.”
    â€œGabri Martins,” he said and reached out and briefly shook her hand.
    â€œGabri? That’s an odd name,” April blurted out.
    He nodded. “Yeah. I know. It’s short for Gabriel.”
    â€œWell, it’s nice to meet you, Gabri,” April said.
    He was so thin, half the size of Matt.
    He stared into her eyes and seemed to be reluctant to leave. He was wearing a lemony aftershave or cologne, April realized, sweet and tart at the same time. She felt drawn to him, more than just attracted because of his good looks.
    She had to concentrate hard to hear what he was saying.
    â€œMaybe your friend got mixed up or something. Did he know to meet you here?”
    April nodded. “We were supposed to meet here, then go to the beach.” Why did she suddenly feel uncertain?
    â€œMaybe he got mixed up and went straight to the beach,” Gabri suggested, taking a step closer to her as a group of teenagers squeezed past on the walk.
    â€œMaybe,” April replied thoughtfully.
    Matt usually got things right.