Page 12 of Untraced Magic
There was something about her that drew my attention. Demanded it, even. I couldn’t put my finger on it.
“How well do you know your way around a grill?” I asked.
She turned her head to mine. “I know my way around a grill.”
“If we stuff up the meat, there’ll be hell to pay from the guys…”
She folded her arms, raising a perfectly manicured eyebrow at me. “I can handle my meat just fine.”
I stifled a laugh. This girl had sass.
“I’ll go get it…” she said, turning swiftly on her heel, perhaps regretting her choice of words.
“The garage,” I instructed, loud enough so she couldstill hear me.
From over her shoulder, she turned back to look at me, confusion stamped on her forehead.
“The meat to behandled,it’s in the fridge in the garage.”
I couldn’t hide my amusement, a smirk tugging at my lips.
She nodded once, the makings of a smile hinted at the edges of her mouth. Not long after, she returned with a tray of steaks, setting it down on the table beside me.
Morgan whistled. “When you said meat, I didn’t think you meant an entire beast.” She let out a chuckle. “What do you lot do all day?”
“And she laughs,” I mused, prepping the grill.
She shot me a piercing look, and I raised my arms innocently.
“Like I said, hungry men. So, what brings you to Cutters Cove? It’s not exactly a thriving metropolis.”
She stole a sideways glance at me, a long pause following.
“I just really needed a fresh start, and it seems this is the place I’ve ended up.”
I wasn’t sure what to make of the comment but didn’t push it.
A loud cheer erupted from Scarlet and Jade as Wes yielded to Reid, who had his elbow wrapped firmly around his neck. It wasn’t like Wes to lose, let alone need to yield, but I guess we all had our off days.
My attention turned back to Morgan, who was loading the grill with meat.
There was more to her than the tough exterior she put on; I was certain of it. But that was another rabbit hole I couldn’t afford to go down, so I tucked those thoughts into my backpocket and left it with the rest of the dirty images her ass had been torturing me with ever since she’d arrived.
“So, are you a mechanic?” she said, her gaze sweeping over me as if trying to figure me out.
“What gave me away? Is it because I’m exceptionally great with my hands?” I raised a brow, holding up the tongs.
“It’s definitely not the hands.” She snorted before a more serious expression settled over her face. Her brown eyes locked on mine. Longer this time. The same way they had connected at the gas station.
I tore myself from her heavy stare, breaking the moment. She was human, and I’d vowed never to fall for another human again.
It pained me to think that even after losing Ava, my body reacted to Morgan in ways I couldn’t comprehend. I felt like a fraud. They were similar in looks, both with dark hair, only where Ava had been reserved and softly spoken, Morgan was witty with a subtle confidence about herself.
Her lips opened then shut again, like she was deciding if she should speak. When she did, it barely came out a whisper.
“It was you at the gas station…wasn’t it?”
I couldn’t let her know how much the moment had affected me. How my heart had hammered the side of my ribcage like it was fighting for air.
