Lexie's Choice

Scene 5

SATURDAY DAWNED BRIGHT AND BEAUTIFUL, and I was up with the sun. I had the early shift at the coffee shop, and then I planned to meet Brent for lunch. I glanced at my cell phone as I dressed, wanting to call Claire and make sure everything was all right. I hadn't heard from her since Cadmar had whisked her away last night.

I squashed the impulse. One of two things was true: either Claire was home sleeping in her bed — in which case she wouldn't appreciate an early bird call, or she was still in Faery. My cell coverage didn't extend to the magical realm. She'd call when she got back. Or she wouldn't. If that happened, Brent and I would track her down through Roddy.

Even though I'd now known him for three years, I still had trouble believing Roddy wasn't just a normal guy. Of course, I had trouble believing my best friend was a faery princess some days. Magic changes everything, and yet it doesn't change how we see the people we love.

Roddy was the beginning and the end of Claire's adventures in Faery. She'd inherited him on her fifteenth birthday. Of course, he'd been a dragon at the time. A dragon she'd come to love and for whom she'd been willing to sacrifice her life. I still got the shivers every time I remembered how close Claire had come to dying that Halloween night.

Anyway, it turned out Roddy had been cursed into dragon form by the High King, Claire's many-times-removed-great-grandfather. Claire's sacrifice broke the enchantment, and Roddy turned into a really handsome faery hunk. He then returned the favor by waking Claire with true love's first kiss. Yep. My best friend lived through a real, live fairy tale! Technically, I guess she's still living one.

So Claire made a deal with her grandpa. He allowed them both to return to the mortal realm, so Claire could finish high school. I know. How lame is that? My friend has the chance to live in Faery for eternity and she chooses to come home for chemistry class! But, yeah, I'm glad she made that deal, 'cause I'd miss her terribly if she'd just disappeared.

But, returning to the current problem, if Claire didn't call soon, Roddy would know how to find her. Roddy and Claire were a unit. True love, indeed.

Just like me and Brent. Geeky science girl and hunky football star. The rest of the world might find us a strange combo, but we fit. Had since we were fifteen and Claire had a crush on him. I still couldn't believe Brent chose me over my gorgeous, feisty, and clever best friend, but he did.

I'd been nuts about him for years, but never expected to have a chance with him. I mean, hello! He could've chosen any girl in the school, and she would've fallen over with stars in her eyes. Seriously, I was the luckiest girl on earth.

I danced through my shift at work. Lunch with Brent. Prom in a week. Gorgeous dress. Oh yeah — slight falter — Claire might be in trouble. Roddy would take care of it — dancing resumed.

On my break, Terry drew me aside. "So, prom's next week?"

I grinned and nodded happily.

"You got everything covered? I mean, I can give you an advance if you need. Prom dresses aren't cheap."

My eyes teared up a bit, and I hugged her, which flustered her. Terry is not a huggy kinda gal.

"Thanks, Terry, but Claire and her mom are helping me with that."

She flapped her hands at me and wiped her own eyes. "Good." She straightened her apron and shifted back to business-as-usual. "Just so long as you've got everything worked out."

I reached for another hug, but she escaped to the front counter.

Didn't I tell you? Luckiest girl in the world!

Just before my shift ended, a new customer slid into a seat in my service area. I grabbed a menu and moved to greet him, but the words died on my lips.

The seriously good-looking guy from a few days before smiled at me. My world folded in on itself. Like a butterfly caught in a spider's web, I could struggle, but I couldn't escape the lure of his perfect smile, smoky grey eyes, exquisitely chiseled face, and you-know-you-want-to-run-your-fingers-through-me honey-brown hair.

"I hoped to meet you." His voice was as smoky as his eyes, but the words released me, and I blinked myself back to some semblance of normality. My pulse raced fast enough to qualify for Nascar, but I licked my lips and attempted to smile. "I'm Lexie. What can I get you?"

He smiled even more brightly, and quipped, "Oh, that's a loaded question, but I'll settle for a cup of coffee and a Danish."

My cheeks flamed. I hurried off to get his order. Too hurried. Flustered. I forced myself to slow down, to imagine what Claire would do if a good-looking guy was flirting with her. She wouldn't get all...

I stopped dead and almost overflowed yet another cup of coffee. Leveling the pot just in time, I considered the thought. Flirting. Was that too handsome guy actually flirting with me?

No one flirted with me. I belonged with Brent. Everyone knew about us. Sure, some of the older patrons of the coffee shop engaged in playful banter, but that wasn't flirting. That was just some old guys teasing a girl they'd watched grow up.

I stole another glance at the hunk. Definitely not an old guy, and definitely no one who'd known me since I was in diapers.

A warm bubble lodged just beneath my heart and slowly expanded. Someone besides Brent found me attractive. The warmth spread down my arms and tingled in my fingertips. I chose the very nicest Danish, plopped it onto a plate, and grabbed the coffee cup. I returned to the customer with a new assurance in my step.

"Here you go," I said with a smile. "If you need anything else, just let me know."

"I'll do that." His grey eyes held my gaze. "I'm new in town. I don't suppose you'd be available later to show me around?"

I giggled. "That would take about three minutes. Big Vista isn't exactly Portland."

"True." His voice dipped into a husky baritone. "But I'm sure it has its...charms."

I might've melted into a puddle right then and there if the door hadn't chimed. I glanced up to check out the new arrival. Brent, framed in sunshine, searched the room. He spotted me, and a smile lit his face. I smiled in return, the stranger forgotten.

"So what do you say," the guy continued, "do we have a date?"

I broke eye contact with Brent and glanced back at the customer, who didn't look nearly as drop-dead gorgeous as he had a moment ago. "Sorry, but I already have a date. Have a nice day."

A flicker of irritation crossed his face, but I barely noticed. My shift was over, and Brent was here. Those were the important facts.

*~*~*

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This story is complete! Want to know more about Lexie's BFF, Claire? Read her story in Faery Unexpected - http://www.amazon.com/Faery-Unexpected-Deb-Logan-ebook/dp/B005WUE7Y8/

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