The One and Only by Sophie McKenzie Read Free Book Online

my way over to the door. Alejandro saw me coming. As soon as I got near enough, we both started speaking at the same time.
    ‘What’s happened?’ I said. ‘Why are you here?’
    ‘Thank God I have found you,’ Alejandro said. ‘We called and called and drove everywhere. Eve thought you might be here.’
    My heart leaped. ‘Eve? Have you spoken to her? Is she all right?’
    For the first time Alejandro’s face relaxed.
    ‘Better than that, man,’ Ryan slurred beside him.
    I stared at Alejandro, my heart now beating wildly. ‘What?’ I said. ‘What’s going on?’
    Alejandro grinned at me. ‘We will talk in the car. Come on.’
    He turned towards the door.
    I grabbed his arm. ‘Where’s Eve?’
    ‘Waiting for you.’ He pointed to the street. ‘Out there.’

 
7
Something in his jeans
    I followed Alejandro outside the Burger Bar, Ryan beside me. My eyes were everywhere, looking for Eve.
    I couldn’t believe she was really here.
    Alejandro stopped. He turned to Ryan.
    ‘It is better if you go back,’ he said.
    Ryan screwed up his face. ‘I want to see Eve too,’ he said.
    ‘No. She doesn’t want anyone knowing she’s here. You must go back. Stop anyone else coming out here. And don’t say you’ve seen her.’
    ‘What?’ Ryan said. ‘Why?’
    Alejandro frowned.
    ‘Because she’s run away, hasn’t she?’ I said. The whole situation suddenly made sense. ‘Her dad has no idea she’s here.’
    Alejandro nodded. ‘But here is the first place he will look,’ he said. ‘Ryan, you must do this. Please. Listen to Luke.’
    Ryan nodded solemnly. ‘OK, man. Not a word.’ He turned and slouched back to the Burger Bar.
    ‘Come on.’Alejandro checked the heavy gold watch that hung round his wrist. ‘We need to be going – we took so much time getting a hire car from the airport.’
    He crossed the road and disappeared round the first street on the right. I hurried after him, my heart pounding. Round the corner, Alejandro headed towards a white Ford Mondeo. I strained to see inside. It was too dark. My hands shook as I walked towards it. Then the front passenger door opened. Eve? A pair of long, slim, jean-clad legs slid onto the pavement.
    She stood up. My stomach twisted.
    It was her. Really her. A little blue hat pulled down over her sleek, blonde hair. She was beyond beautiful. Beyond desirable.
    Eve. Smiling at me.
    I stopped, completely poleaxed by the shock of it. Of how she looked. Of how I felt.
    We stared at each other. My feet were stuck to the pavement, like I’d fall down if I took a single step.
    She was standing right in front of me. That perfect, heart-shaped face. Those pale blue eyes, glistening in the light from the street lamps, pulling me in. My heart raced as we leaned towards each other, our faces moving closer, almost touching, the whole world shrinking to the feel of her breath on my skin.
    I wound my arms round her. She was real. Warm. Clinging on to me, crying. I held her as tight as I could, feeling the curves of her body against mine. Her tears on my cheek.
    ‘It’s all right now. It’s . . .’ I whispered.
    But she was twisting round, searching for my mouth.
    The kiss exploded in my head. I forgot where I was. I forgot even that I was standing up.
    Eve didn’t stop kissing me. And I couldn’t let go of her.
    Eventually I registered that Alejandro was hopping up and down beside us, talking.
    ‘Listen. Luke. Eva. We have to go now. It is almost eleven.’
    I drew back a little, but I couldn’t look away from her. Out of the corner of my eye I could see Alejandro gesticulating wildly with his hands. ‘Get in the car.’ He ushered us towards the back seat. ‘ Hijo de . . . God. You two. And please do not take your clothes off.’
    I grinned at Eve, then let her go. She slid across the back seat, then looked back, reaching out for me as I got in. We started making out again, our arms wrapped round each other.
    I could hear Alejandro getting into the front seat