Just One Kiss: A Black Alcove Novel (The Black Alcove Series Book 1) by Jami Wagner Page A

only I could see what she does, maybe I
could stop my father. I’m in too deep now. No matter what happens,
I’ll end up looking like the bad guy.
    “Just keep going the way you have been, and
I’ll make the best decision. Keep your eyes open. You never know
how easily things can change.”
    Like always, he doesn’t say good-bye once
he’s spoken the last word. An eerie feeling flashes through me.
More than likely, he’s still sending one of my brothers. I sure as
hell hope he sends Lance, because if he sends Ben, there is no
telling what could happen.
    Growing up, Lance always found a way to look
out for me. As long as he was at the top of our father’s list, Ben
couldn’t have cared less if I was in trouble or not.
    With two fingers I pinch at the nerve
between my eyes. What am I going to do? I had this all figured out
days ago. Now, my father’s words keep playing in my head.
    Keep your eyes open. You never know how
easily things can change.
    I could just let one of them take over. It
would be easier, but helping my father doesn’t feel right. I can
put it off, my brother won’t. I have to figure something out.
Whatever my father has planned isn’t good. And there is only one
way I know to protect Kelsey. I have to cut all ties with her
beyond an employee/employer relationship until I know what’s he’s
going to do.
    Kelsey
    The next few days pass in a blur. After
about a week, I finally worked up the courage to cook for Ethan. So
I woke up one morning to make Ethan a breakfast casserole, but he
never showed. The morning after that, another no show. I called
him, but he didn’t answer. One morning I went as far as to go over
to his house to make sure everything was okay. I know he pretended
he didn’t hear me knocking on the door. I’m not crazy. Something’s
going on and I want to know what it is. It’s just so incredibly odd
to me to just stop talking to someone with no explanation. I want
one.
    I deserve one.
    Tonight is Sara’s going-away party, and
being held at the BA, it’s the perfect place to run into Ethan and
ask him what his deal is.
    I’m back in our apartment
getting ready with her. She leaves tomorrow and it plain out sucks.
For me. Not her. I slide my feet into the black pumps that I save
for special occasions. They don’t happen very often so tonight will
make it the second time I have ever worn them. I hope I can remember how to walk in them after I’ve been
drinking.
    “Kelsey, hurry up, let’s go! “ Sara hollers
at me from down the hall. I check myself one last time in the
full-length mirror behind my door. My little black dress hugs my
body amazingly, my hair is curled to the middle of my back, and my
shoes make my legs look long and lean. Hopefully, this outfit can
get Ethan to confess what’s been going on with him. I smile at
myself and grab my red clutch off the dresser. This dress better do
more than get him to confess—it better grab his attention and hold
it there all night long.
    I’ve spent more time than any girl should
obsessing over a boy who hasn’t even kissed me yet. After
considering forgetting everything that involves Ethan, I came to
the conclusion that I’ll just go with whatever he has in mind. I’m
not going to initiate anything, but I won’t say no if he brings it
up. I like the way I feel when I’m around him. He opens doors, he
makes me laugh, he’s got a bit of a romantic side to him, and he
always smells good. He’s got a great smile and a great body, which
is a huge plus. All the bad just disappears when I’m with him. Any
stress I have is gone and nothing could make me happier. Unless, of
course, he stops avoiding me. That would totally make me
happier.
    “Oh. You look amazing!” Sara squeals. She’s
waiting impatiently by the door, wearing a red, ruffled dress that
falls to her knees, with nude heels. Her blonde hair is
straightened down her back, and she has a black clutch in her
hands.
    “You look amazing as well,” I tell her