Goddess Legacy: Goddess Series Book 1 (2 page)

“Oh, I’m just surprised to see some of these people.”

Calli started to turn around to scan the room. Legacy grabbed her arm. “Don’t.”

“Huh? What’s with you?”

She knew Adin’s grandmother lived next door, so he probably found out about the party through her. Legacy didn’t want her friend to make it obvious they were talking about him. Even though she apparently hadn’t figured that out yet herself.

“Act natural. Look around the room
casually
. I’ll meet you at the buffet table.” Legacy couldn’t even say his name out loud to explain.

“Er, okay…um, are you going to explain this to me when we get over there?”

“Uh-huh, just act natural.”

Legacy left her side and walked over to the closest group of people that were engaged in their own conversation. She joined in—they were talking about an upcoming storm. At least it wasn’t a topic she had to be fully involved in, so she could participate lightly in the conversation while watching Calli take in the room.

Then Calli looked in Adin’s direction. Luckily, he wasn’t looking at her because she looked utterly shocked. She composed herself quickly and made her way to the buffet table. Legacy politely excused herself and walked over to the table, grabbing a plate for snacks as she walked to the end where Calli stood.

“I take it you didn’t invite him?” Legacy asked as she grabbed a pair of tongs to get some food.

“No.”

“I figured that much when I saw you look at him.”

“Are you okay?” she asked in a timid whisper.

“Yeah, just shocked. His grandma probably told him about the party since you said Lissa invited the neighbors.” How he found out about the party was quickly taking a backseat to another issue, though. “Did you see who was standing next to him?”

“Yep. Ellen and Kate.” Ellen Battles and Kate Travis were best friends who attached themselves to whomever they felt was popular at any given moment. Considering this was a small school and they really didn’t have cliques, Ellen and Kate tried their best to form them. Legacy liked them just fine, but didn’t trust either of them. They were both the type of girl who would stab you in the back to get ahead—Ellen more so than Kate. Since Calli was obviously the richest girl in school, they tended to gravitate toward her. Legacy was just an unfortunate aspect of that vanity they had to endure, but she pretended she was oblivious just the same.

“Uh-huh.”

“Don’t worry about them. Just be happy he’s here.” Calli put her hand on her hip and smirked. “You know, there’s nothing wrong with liking someone, Legacy. I’ve liked lots of guys.”

“Yeah, but you usually date the guys you like.”

Calli chuckled. “True, girl. But maybe now you can make a move on Adin like I suggested earlier.”

Legacy felt herself blanching as she shook her head frantically.

Calli sighed. “Okay. Take it easy. I won’t press it anymore tonight. But don’t worry about Ellen or Kate either. They both have boyfriends.”

“Like that matters…”

“I know you don’t like either of them, but really, I don’t think they mean any harm.”

“They are fully capable of causing any amount of harm they want.”

“True. But they don’t know you like Adin. He’s the best looking guy in school, or at least he was before he graduated. They’re probably just enjoying the eye candy.”

“You know they have to be wondering what
he
is doing at
my
party.”

“Which is something else you don’t need to worry about. Jeez, you could stroke out from the stress. I’ll go figure out what’s been said and make sure they understand his grandma is your neighbor.”

“If you bring it up, it’ll look like I’m hiding something from them.”

“No, it won’t. I’ll be really casual about it. ”Calli grabbed her arm. “C’mon, we need to keep walking around so it doesn’t seem like I’m hogging your attention. People will think it’s rude if you don’t personally thank everyone for coming tonight.”

“I know. Just give me a sec.” She took a deep breath and then nodded.

Calli threw on a quick smile to remind her she was supposed to be sporting a happy face, and then they disbanded. Legacy approached the closest group to chat. This conversation started out better as it wasn’t about the weather, but then it turned to her, and she had to put on her game face. These were people Lissa worked with. Legacy usually saw them a few times a year, every year, at picnics, holiday parties, and other office functions that family members were invited to. They asked her about school, plans for the summer, and the types of classes she was taking next school year. They commented on how much she’d grown since the last time they all saw her, and she was the gracious hostess, answering all their questions attentively and blushing at the comments about her growth spurt.

When Lissa and Olive walked over to Calli and they both walked over to the cake, Legacy turned to face them.

“It’s time for Legacy to blow out her candles,” Lissa announced as the crowd quieted down.

Legacy quickly popped the last of the chocolate covered strawberries she’d retrieved from the buffet table into her mouth and made her way over to them.

Calli took pictures of her behind the two cakes while Lissa lit the seventeen candles on the chocolate cake. She smiled as she scanned the room, locking eyes with several of the guests. She saw Ellen’s forced smile and Kate’s more natural one.

She saved Adin’s face for last because she knew when she saw him looking at her, it would be difficult to keep her composure. When she allowed herself to look at him, he looked incredible. His hair slightly disheveled. As she glanced from his hair to his face, his piercing blue eyes locked onto hers. She couldn’t go any further. He could have been nude for all she knew. His face lit up like they were long lost friends seeing each other for the first time in too many years. Her heart pounded in her chest, and she forced herself to keep breathing regularly. She tried to feign a little shock, pretending this was the first time she saw him and really feigning for the benefit of Ellen and Kate since she didn’t know what they were thinking about Adin being here. She then returned his smile. Even though she knew she needed to speak to everyone here, she definitely knew now that she would have to go talk to him as soon as she could.

Luckily, Lissa finished with the candles and turned to her, getting her attention. She was able to unlock her gaze with Adin to watch Lissa as she started the crowd with the birthday song.

She laughed appreciatively, and once they were finished singing—some shouting—the rendition, she bowed her head and held her hair back while she extinguished the candles with her shaky breath. Flashes blinded her while she rose back to a full standing position, and she kept cheesing while the cameras finished clicking in her direction.

Lissa quickly removed the hot candles and started cutting the cake. She handed Legacy the first piece, and she took it with her away from the table. Calli grabbed a piece and came over to the wall she was leaning against while the rest of the crowd lined up to get their pieces.

“What did you find out from Ellen and Kate?” Legacy asked through her teeth while she kept a smile on her face.

Calli turned her back to the crowd so that she could face her and speak without anyone seeing her expression.

“Nothing we didn’t already expect. He told them he found out from his grandma.”

“Do they suspect anything else?”

“I don’t think so.”

“Did you talk to him?”

“Yes. He thanked me for taking the initiative on the surprise party and said I did a wonderful job.”

“Did he compliment you?
Personally
, I mean?” She didn’t know why, but she just had to know.

“Um…I don’t think so. Well, he did say he liked my dress.”

“Okay.” She was only slightly appeased that Adin hadn’t compliment her friend like he had her earlier, but she was really happy Ellen and Kate seemed as if they weren’t expecting anything out of the ordinary, even after seeing Adin here tonight.

“I know you don’t want to hear this now, but maybe…it’ll give you a little courage.”

“Ugh. What?” She looked away, irritated.

“You assumed Adin’s grandma invited him, and he apparently confirmed that assumption to Ellen and Kate.”

“And?” She knew those things, so she couldn’t see Calli’s point.

“And…I don’t see his grandma here.”

Her eyes shot back to Calli. “What?”

“I looked around the room, and I do admit there are some people I don’t recognize from Lissa’s office, but as much as I’ve been over here, I know I’ve seen his grandma a few times. Unless she’s grown about twenty years
younger
, she’s not here. It looks like Adin heard about the party…and came here alone.”

“I don’t want to hear your theories as to why he would do that.”

“Fine. But you know you have to speak to him before he leaves. You’ve already spoken to just about everyone else.”

“I haven’t talked to Ellen or Kate yet,” she defended herself.

“Because they’ve been talking to Adin. I’ll get them away from him, so you can have a moment alone.”

“No! I mean, you don’t have to do that.”

“Legacy, you
have
to talk to him. Besides, I know you want to talk.”

“I do,” she confessed, looking back down again.

“Don’t worry about it. Just keep telling yourself he’s just a friend, and that’s all he’ll ever be.” Calli couldn’t help but smirk at her own sarcasm as she spoke.

“Fine. But I want to talk to Ellen and Kate first.”

Calli nodded as she stepped away from her to help Lissa and Olive with the cake.

Legacy walked over to Ellen and Kate while she played with the icing on her piece. “Hey, girls. Thanks for coming tonight. I really appreciate it.”

“Oh, we wouldn’t have missed this for the world,” Kate said with a genuine smile on her face.

“Yeah, Calli asked us if we would come,” Ellen responded, a little less enthused.

“Where’s Thad and Seth?” she asked, trying to keep the conversation flowing.

Thad was Ellen’s boyfriend. He was a typical jock. He was a better athlete than any other guy in school, but he was still a jerk.

Seth was Kate’s boyfriend. He was more likable. He was also an athlete, but was nicer to people than Thad was. He and Seth were pretty close, so she guessed it made sense they would date two girls who were already best friends.

“They’re out destroying the senior float with Alex and Laos, and I don’t even understand why those two are there. They can’t stand each other,” Ellen said in a bored manner.

“Some of the juniors didn’t like the fact that they lost, so they’re taking out their frustration on the senior float,” Kate said, slightly embarrassed.

“Well, we’re the seniors now. I guess they can get rid of that monstrosity if they want to,” she teased, keeping the conversation light.

Ellen perked up and nodded. “I see Adin Sheppard made it to your party.”

Uh-oh.
“Yeah, his grandma lives next door.”

“That’s what we heard,” Kate said, slashing her gaze to Ellen, trying to defuse her friend’s intent.

“Hey, girlies. What are you talking about?” Calli interrupted, coming to Legacy’s rescue.

“Oh, nothing. Just school. They told me about the juniors demolishing the senior float,” she added with a wicked laugh, hoping to divert Ellen from a conversation she knew she’d rather have.

“I heard about that,” Calli responded, giggling and then turning to Ellen and Kate. “Hey, why don’t you come over here and look at this cake. Cake Bake did a fabulous job on the fondant bow.”

Calli easily got their attention away from her. Ellen was all about Calli, and Kate hung on every word Ellen said, so it wasn’t as difficult as she thought it would’ve been to drag away Ellen and Kate from the side of the room that Adin stayed in.

She glanced in Adin’s direction. He was by himself against a wall finishing his piece of cake. She took a deep breath, psyching herself up as she walked toward him, but then she saw he had on a different shirt from this morning. He had been wearing a fitted blue, button-down shirt with the top few buttons unfastened. Gods, he’d looked so hot as he casually leaned against his new dark blue Camaro. Blue car, blue shirt, blue eyes, against a clear blue sky. He’d blended in perfectly with the beautiful day.

But this shirt wasn’t blue. She hadn’t noticed before because when their eyes locked, she hadn’t been able to look away from his gaze. No, this one was green—a beautiful emerald green that matched her green dress. They were matching!
It must be a coincidence.
She tried to keep herself from shaking as she neared. It was already too late to keep her hands from sweating, assuming she could even keep that from happening anyway.

His eyes flashed up and locked onto her once again. She forcefully kept her composure and smiled at him.

“Happy birthday.” He smiled as he took his free hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulder in a sideways hug.

“Thanks.” She stepped back out of his embrace.

He took her empty plate with his and set them aside. “You have a little icing on your lip,” he said as he gently took his index finger and wiped it away.

She couldn’t breathe. He was touching her lips, and his skin smelled so good. And then to her utter disbelief, he took that same index finger and put it in his mouth to taste the icing. She laughed nervously, glanced away from him, and then looked back into his eyes.

“Have you had a nice day today?” he asked as he stepped closer and took not one, but both her hands into his, holding them at their sides.

“Er, yes. Calli and I did some shopping after school.” She didn’t know what to say. The hugs she could
try
to get used to, but him touching her lips and holding her hands—these were a first in all their years of their friendship.

“How about the party? Are you enjoying yourself?” he asked, his head cocked to the side, eyes opened wide.

“Absolutely. This was a wonderful surprise.” Maybe she was feeling brave. Maybe she just knew she needed to thank him for coming. Either way, she knew she was going to have to keep her composure as she continued. “I’m really happy that you came tonight. That, too, was a wonderful surprise.”