Fall From Grace

Fall From Grace by Kelly Hogan Page B

Book: Fall From Grace by Kelly Hogan Read Free Book Online
Authors: Kelly Hogan
need it." The heat rushes through his t-shirt and sends my fingers tingling. I pull my hands back and fold them in front to quell my shaking hands.
    Craning his neck back to check his butt out, he laughs, "Alright, I'll try them on. But I'd better get a discount for all this harassment you know. Aren't you supposed to suck up to me and tell me I look devilishly handsome?"
    "I think tough love is better, don't you? I mean, we wouldn't want you walking around like this any longer would we?" I say gesturing up and down his body.
    Smiling as he turns back around and meets my gaze head on, we share a connected look and it's like last night at The Grind. Like we're the only two people in the store. That thrum of electricity is making me shake harder but this time I feel more powerful, like I'm controlling it, not the other way around. It feels incredible. I don't know how I was able to not stumble through this conversation so far, but I feel different today.  
    Guiding him to the men's section, we start picking up some very expensive things to try on - hey a girls got to make a living and from the look of him so far, I'd say he has expensive tastes even as he jests, and a very deep wallet. Our conversation flows easily and naturally. As intimidating as I initially thought he was, he's really not too bad. Kind of like when you LOVE a celebrity and you covet them forever; their movies, pictures in magazines, and you have little scenarios running in your head of how they would desperately fall in love with you the instant they met you. Then you see them in an interview and they sound super dumb and annoying bringing you back to reality as they lose that rock star status in your brain. Ash is far from annoying and stupid, but I realize he's just a boy and what have I got to lose? I feel a definite connection with him, whether it's one-sided or not.
    Hauling armloads of potentials, we head back towards the change rooms. I unlock number 2 with my free right hand and enter first to hang them up. As I sort them on the pegs, I ask him about his photos.  
    "So are you thinking of doing photography full time in the fall?" I ask. When I get no reply, I turn around expecting him to be meandering around the belts, only to find him right behind me, blocking my entrance.
    "Geez Ash, you're going to have to stop this creepy silent stalker crap. I know some kick ass self defence from gym class and I'm not afraid to use it."
    Without answering my question, he stares into my eyes with a fierce intensity I can't figure out. The air between us seems charged and heavy. I'm finding it hard to breathe in this tiny space with him.
    Turning serious, he says, "Look Stella, one of the reasons I came here was to apologize for my abrupt exit last night. I guess I was a little overwhelmed by you seeing my prints on the walls. It made me nervous, and I don't do well with nervous," he breaks off.
    What? I made HIM nervous?
    Leaning against the doorframe with his hands in his jeans pockets, he continues, "I love to take pictures, it helps me find beauty out of the garbage in my life. But I never show them like that. I don't know what got into me and why I let Mrs. Castillo see them in the first place. I was in there one day having a coffee and flipping through my book when she bombarded me in a frenzy and wouldn't let me out of there until I agreed to let her show them."
    "The wrath of Mrs. C. It's a crime to say no to her, Check out the county by-laws, it's there," I say.
    "No kidding. She's great but a little intense you know?"
    "Oh I know, believe me when I say that you don't cross that woman. Unless you have a death wish that is," I say quirking a smile at him.
    He laughs, letting go of his serious face and relaxing again.
    "I'm serious though, have you thought of doing it professionally after high school?" I ask, bringing my fingers up to nibble on the nails. Filthy habit.
    "Sometimes. I dunno. I think I would kill myself if I had to make a living taking

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