Building Faith (Long Beach Series Book 2) Read Online Free Page B

any sweetness behind it.
    My eyes shift away from them, and I stare out my window as Caleb drives us downtown. I can’t help but wonder if I’ll ever have someone special in my life. Will I ever be able to trust again? What if I lose myself to a relationship and let a guy control everything that makes me who I am?
    I’m only nineteen, but sometimes I feel older than my years. I guess almost being murdered will do that to a girl.
    When we arrive at the bar, Caleb parks the car, and Zoey immediately slips out of the front seat and helps me out of the back. I thank her and tug slightly at the hemline of my dress once again. I hear Caleb mutter something under his breath, and I glance up at him. His eyes are on my short skirt.
    Zoey playfully swats at his chest. “She’s not his type,” she laughs.
    Caleb gives her a dry look. “Anything with breasts and a pu—” He cuts himself off and finishes with, “Anything female is his type.”
    Zoey rolls her eyes at him.  “You’re worrying over nothing,” she replies as she walks over to me and slips her arm through mine. “C’mon, you’ll love this place.”
    I’m curious about who Caleb had been referring to, but the topic is dropped as we enter the bar. Zoey was right; the bouncer doesn’t even ask for ID’s. He simply waves us past. Loud music greets us, and I fight not to allow my eyes to widen as I look around.
    In the center of the room is a circular bar that is surrounded by patrons as they wait for the bartenders to get them their drinks. I see booths along the walls and tables across the room. Three pool tables take up the opposite side of the room in front of what looks like a stage for a band, though there is no band tonight. I spy a small dance floor near the pool tables as well, but there’s only a handful of people out there. Everyone is at the bar or at a table with friends.
    Zoey leans in and says loudly in my ear over the music, “It’ll get busier as the night wears on.”
    I nod and allow her to lead me across the room to a large table in a corner. I see that the table is already full, and I instantly feel nervous as Caleb begins to introduce me to a handsome, blond man named AJ, and his pretty, blonde fiancée, Nina. I meet Charlie, who has the adorable, nerdy look going for him. He’s attractive, but his unruly, dark hair and reserved, blue eyes betray that he’s more serious than outgoing. Dillon reminds me of the jocks back in high school—handsome but cocky. I can’t really get a read on Jeremy. He’s very good-looking with short, dark brown hair and dark brown eyes a girl could get lost in. They look playful, but there’s something in their depths that contradicts the lightness he tries to portray.
    As for Ace…
    The second my eyes rest on him, I’m immediately distracted. The others cease to exist. All of Caleb and Zoey’s friends are attractive, but Ace makes me feel slightly weak in the knees. I try hard not to stare at him as Caleb grabs a chair for me so that I can sit down. I peer up at him briefly to thank him, then my eyes dart around the crowded bar before once again resting on Ace. His dark, gray eyes connect with mine, and I can’t seem to look away.
    He’s unbelievably handsome. I’ve never really liked long hair on guys, but Ace pulls it off, managing to still look extremely masculine. His blond hair reaches the bottom of his chin, and he has it tucked back behind his ears. There’s a slight hint of curl at the bottom, which causes it to frame his face versus looking like it’s in the way. His gray eyes stand out against his tanned face, and I see that his features are strong but well-balanced. The only flaw I can see is that his nose is just slightly crooked, but if anything—it just makes him more appealing to the eye.
    Caleb leans down to say something to Ace, his shoulder blocking Ace from view—effectively ending our little stare down. A second later, Ace is rising to his feet and both men are walking away