Starstruck Read Online Paige Laurens

Categories Genre: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult Tags Authors: Paige Laurens Advertisement1

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I hesitate.

How do I describe something so…. weird?

Easy. I don’t.

I ignore them, just as another notification goes off.

It’s Jess. Again.

Jess: I’m going to assume you’re in jail for molestation since you’re not answering me!!!!

She would think that. I laugh as my fingers hit the keys.

Not in jail. I’ll TTYL about it.

After finishing my third round of listening to the interview I determine I sounded like an idiot the entire time and no longer want anything to do with it. Then Asher’s look after I told him I didn’t want to hang out pops into my head and I need to leave the room.

Despite the crowded beach it’s easy to spot Travis. He’s the only one surrounded by beauty and yet engrossed with whatever is on his phone.

I head for the lounger next to him and when he doesn't notice me I kick his leg to get his attention.

“Hey, lets do something fun while we’re here!” I lay my towel out before removing my cover up.

“Huh?” he removes his headphones. Truth is, Asher’s diving excursion sounded fun, and I want to see fish too.

“Let’s go snorkeling!”

“Nah, I’d rather not waste the money,” he puts his ear buds back in and just like that we’re doing nothing. No discussion, just… nothing. I never said he had to pay for me, but the way he always puts a damper on things frustrates the hell out of me. Just once I’d like to take advantage of my surroundings, have fun and feel good about it. I want to live in the moment and enjoy once in a lifetime experiences in once in a lifetime places. I’m about to beg and plead, but stop myself. That's what I'd normally do, but this me? This me isn't going to force him.

I lay back and gaze at the ocean.

Would it be completely desperate if I book an excursion for one?

As the waves crash ashore I can't help but wonder if Asher would ever get to enjoy something like this without being hounded. In my mind he's back in his bathing suit, but now his shirt is off.

Going snorkeling with him would be… interesting.Would he ask me questions like he did today? Flirt? Laugh at me? Tease me? Does he make everyone's job difficult?

I suddenly grab my phone and text Sam back, curious if her interview was anything like mine.

Me: Hey, so did Asher talk to you at all?

Sam: Hey Girl! What do you mean talk to me? Obvs I was hoping he’d fall madly in love, but that didn't happen. At least not for one of us.

Me: LOL. I mean like did he let you ask your questions.

Sam: Yeah. It was kind of a boring interview actually. Maybe I was too busy drooling, but I got everything I needed. Did you not? Amelia is going to kill you and I am here to see that vein on her forehead pop. What happened?

Huh.

I let that sink in as I absentmindedly put my headphones on and listen to the interview again.

I mean, did you really think I would just not ever listen to it again?

I’m back to being indecisive about the whole thing, but I don’t need to make it my five life’s mission to soon determine that I want to remember it forever. It's a part of me now.

I’m halfway through the interview for a fifth time when I start to wonder if Asher really did just want to hang out.

Now I can’t stop thinking about it without cringing. Needing a distraction I leap off the lounge chair and head for the water, but halfway I turn around, thinking about asking Travis if he wants to join.

He never looks up, so I don’t.

When I return I’m in a better mood, until I see my phone blinking with an unread text. It’s probably Jess waiting for me to spill, or Sam still waiting for my reply, but when I look down I'm surprised to see no ID.

Unknown: Hi.

That’s all.

Hi.

I look over at Travis, still off in his own world and busy on his phone. It takes me a second to contemplate, and then I bite my lip as I shrug. I could use some excitement.

Me: Who is this?

I put my phone down and wait, surprised the reply is immediate.

Unknown: I’m not at liberty to say via text, but I’m not a “nice” man.

Oh. My. God.

Me: How did you get my number… and should I be concerned that you're basically stalking me?

I smile at the irony.

Unknown: Funny…

Unknown: But this “not nice” man realizes how bad his earlier comment came across.

I mean, whoa. Okay...

Me: Well “not nice” man, apparently I'm only interested in old men anyway, so it doesn't really matter.

Unknown: I'm not used to being turned down. That really threw me.

Me: Ah...

I wait for his reply, but nothing.

Then ten minutes go by. Crap.


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