Goddess Legacy: Goddess Series Book 1 (4 page)

Legacy stormed out of the kitchen, grabbed her purse, and left the house, slamming the door behind her. Lissa had some nerve. Legacy was so furious she was shaking. She could barely put on her seatbelt or get the key in the ignition. When she managed to get the car started, she tore out of the driveway and headed straight to Calli’s house. She knew she had to get started on her job hunt, but she was in no condition to tout her assets and abilities to a hiring manager. She needed to talk to someone, and Calli would get a kick out of this.

Legacy’s mind reeled as she drove to her best friend’s house. When she got into the ritzy neighborhood, she couldn’t help but be a little distracted by all the opulence. It never seemed to get any easier seeing how the other half lived. To say that Calli’s house was big would be a huge understatement. She lived in the most lavish neighborhood around, which had been developed by her real estate guru parents. She’d said they had picked this land because they were inspired by the beautiful pond at the back of the property. Even though the land wasn’t developed at that end, the area that
was
developed had lot sizes of at least five acres. The road into her neighborhood was lined with Bradford pear trees in the median and manicured shrubs along the sides. All the houses—or rather, estates—had gated entrances. There weren’t many kids in this posh community, but of them, Calli was the only one who attended Oak Grove, a public school in the Pulaski County system. Her parents attended the same schools, and they obviously turned out well. Legacy was sure they also believed that attending public schools would help keep Calli grounded in reality. But her black American Express Card helped her realize what reality she belonged to.

Legacy entered the code at the gate and parked in the circle drive out front. Calli opened the door as she jogged up the big stairs.

“Hey, what are you doing here?”

“I just felt like visiting before I start begging people for a summer job.”

“Did you have fun last night?” Calli asked, ignoring her comment. “I thought it was a great turnout. Everyone commented on how beautiful you were, and it seems like you really racked in the goodies!” Legacy didn’t miss the glance to her wrist as they made their way inside the house and to Calli’s bedroom.

“Yeah, the party was great. I did have a wonderful time.”

“Adin seemed really happy to see you.”

“It was nice seeing him there last night.”

“Wow.” Calli stared at her with obvious shock on her face.

“What?”

“I didn’t expect you to respond so easily to me bringing up Adin. I figured I’d have to talk some sense into you about how serious his attraction is to you.”

She grimaced and looked away. “It
was
really weird having him there last night,” she admitted.

“But you’re not going to deny that something is going on…I mean, on his side too.”

“You know nothing is going on.”

“After last night, it’s pretty obvious he has feelings for you.”

“I think you might be right.”

“I can’t believe you’re not denying this!” Calli sat down on the edge of her bed, and Legacy followed. She sat quietly for a moment and looked down at her hands as she spoke.

“It’s not like it matters now. He’s out of high school. Going to college.”

“Like that matters! Girl, there’s nothing sexier than a hot college guy for a boyfriend,” she said with a giggle.

“The only thing sexier than a hot college guy as a boyfriend is if that hot college guy were Adin.” She looked back at Calli with a crooked smile.

“At least you’ve accepted the fact you two like each other more than just friends.”

“I said I think you might be right about that, not that I believed it completely.” She looked at Calli more seriously.

“I saw him holding your hands. I’ve
never
seen him do that with anyone, not even those anorexic skanks he brought to all those dances. How are you able to have a coherent conversation about him after last night? I figured you’d be screaming at the top of your lungs all morning while I tried fruitlessly to calm you down.”

It was true, Adin had come to all the school dances with beautiful girls that looked as if they belonged in his league, and he never brought the same girl twice. He obviously had a stash of ladies on the side ripe for his picking. And Calli was just as aware of these facts as she was. But talking about Adin cooled her frustrations with Lissa and her silly story about goddesses and myths.

Legacy smiled. “Okay, so it was totally squeal-worthy.”

“So what did he say? I want all the deets!”

“He told me I was radiant,” she said as her grin got bigger.

“Aw, that was very nice.”

“And, um, he asked me if he made me uncomfortable.”

“What?” Calli’s eyes grew wider in sudden disbelief.

“Yeah, he said something about complimenting me and mentioned that he sometimes says things to me without thinking.” She fidgeted and strained to maintain eye contact with her friend.

“So when he compliments you, he’s speaking without thinking first?”

“I think so, but I don’t think he was just talking about the words he said. I think he also meant his actions.”

“Why do you think that?”

She knew she had to be honest with her. “Because after you interrupted, he pulled me into a hug and
whispered
in my ear.”

“No way!”

“Uh-huh. And right after I walked over to him, he told me I had some icing on my lip, and er, he wiped it off with his finger and then put that finger in his mouth.”

“He touched your lips?” Calli screeched as she jumped up off her bed.

“Yes.”

“So he touched your lips, hugged you twice, held your hands the entire time, and whispered in your ear? Did I miss anything?”

“Nope, I think that’s pretty much it.”

“So why are you so calm? He’s apparently into you. And I know that’s what you’ve always wanted.”

“Well, besides the fact that he’s still just a friend,” Calli started to interrupt, but Legacy put her hand up to stop her. “Something else happened last night to trump that.”

“What could possibly have happened that would’ve topped that?”

There was no easy way to buffer this. “Lissa told me some crazy story about my mom being alive.”

Calli stared at her in total astonishment. “I’m sorry, what?” she said as she sat on the bed again.

Legacy told her everything, right down to the changes and the goddess crap. Gods, she felt ridiculous even talking about this.

“Seriously, I’m not sure if I should get her some mental help or scream at her for using my mom this way.”

“Hmm, okay, hear me out here. I wonder if there’s some truth to your mom being alive, and Lissa is covering it up with the silly story so you won’t be totally shocked when you see her again. Maybe your mom is in some kind of Witness Protection Program or something if she left you for your protection. That happens.”

“In the movies.” Legacy rolled her eyes.

“Well, I think we should try to figure this out. There has to be a valid reason Lissa told you this story. Maybe she needs you to read between the lines or something.”

“I wouldn’t know where to begin. Besides, I really need to find a job before the summer comes to an end,” Legacy said sarcastically.

“I might actually be able to help you with that. This morning, I heard her mom talking to the new neighbor. She owns that new alternative medicine shop on Main Street, and she has a son our age.” Calli wagged her eyebrows before continuing. “Anyway, she said something about hiring seasonal help to get the store up and running. Apparently, she’s opening a bunch of other stores across the state, so she’s going to be out of town a lot.”

“I know where it is. That would be perfect, actually.”

“Let me grab my purse, and I’ll go with you. It couldn’t hurt to drop my mom’s name in the conversation. Maybe she’d hire you as a favor to her new neighbors.” Calli shrugged as they both got up. Once Calli grabbed her purse, they took her BMW to the store. Even though the storm had subsided, the rain was relentless. Legacy looked out into the rain while Calli drove, and she thought about some clever responses to possible questions the owner might ask her.

“I see the only gift you’re wearing today is the watch Adin gave you,” Calli mentioned, distracting her from her previous train of thought.

“Mm-hmm. I need a special occasion to wear the red dress that Lissa gave me and the red shoes that you gave me,” she said, trying to make light of the fact that she was wearing Adin’s beautiful gift.

“Can I see it? I didn’t really get a good look at it last night. I assumed you didn’t want me calling too much attention to it.”

“I’m glad you showed some restraint,” Legacy said, laughing. She took off the watch and handed it to Calli.

“Wow. This is really something. I’ve never seen anything like it before. It’s very pretty,” she said, handing it back to Legacy.

The rain eased as they pulled into the parking lot of the store. They hurried inside and went straight to the cashier working the front register.

“I’m Calli Rhodes,” Calli began. “Is Ms. Gorgos in? My friend Legacy would like to fill out an application.”

“She’s in the office. Go down aisle two and you’ll run right into the door.”

“Thanks,” Calli said, and then she turned to her. “Let’s go.”

They walked down the aisle, and her palms started sweating. She tried to maintain some level of composure, but was having extreme difficulty. She’d never had a job before. Well, not one that didn’t include babysitting, chores, or yard work.

Calli knocked on the door to the office while she stood patiently by her side.

“Come in.” She heard a quiet voice respond.

They walked into the office, and Ms. Gorgos stood up from behind a desk covered with papers. She was strikingly beautiful, except for the 80s style perm she was sporting. But even her unruly curls couldn’t distract from her other features.

“May she help you?” she asked.

“Yes, ma’am. I’m Calli Rhodes. You met my mom, Beth, this morning.”

“Yes, of course. Your mother was very gracious and inviting. I’m Petra Gorgos. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

“I heard you tell her you’ll be hiring seasonal help, and my friend Legacy is currently looking for a summer job.” Calli nodded her head in her direction, and she smiled at Ms. Gorgos.

“Well, Legacy, do you have any experience?”

Ugh.
“No, ma’am, but I’m a quick learner.”

“That’s good. You’ll need to be. How soon can you start?”

A shock ran through her body as she realized she was giving her the job. “She can start whenever you need me.”

“How about Monday? Can you be here at nine o’clock?”

“Sure.”

Ms. Gorgos rummaged around her desk and found a stack of papers. “Take this paperwork and fill it out. You can bring it back with you on Monday.”

“Okay. Thanks, Ms. Gorgos, I really appreciate this opportunity,” she said graciously as she shook her hand.

They left her office and started for the front door when a guy caught them both by surprise.

He was tall with dark hair and green eyes. He looked to be about their age, but Legacy knew she had never seen him before. Judging from Calli’s reaction, it was apparent she’d never seen him before either. He was strikingly handsome and built like an athlete. She’d only seen one guy better looking than him in this town, but this guy could definitely hold his own. Calli and she stood, both dazed, while he carried what looked to be heavy boxes with ease into the front door of the store.

He glanced over at them. Legacy knew she was still staring, and Calli’s mouth was still open in shock. He cocked his head to the side and flashed a quick, beautiful smile as he put the boxes on the counter.

“Yale,” he said to the girl at the counter, “can you tell my mom I’m bringing in the supplies she ordered?”

“Okay,” she said eagerly, gazing at him. Apparently, Yale enjoyed the view too.

He glanced back over at them and started walking in their direction. She collected herself, but Calli hadn’t found her composure yet.

“Hi. I’m River Rysaor,” he said, waiting for a response from either one of them.

Calli must have checked out because she wasn’t quick to engage him. She usually had no difficulty with conversation, regardless of how absurdly handsome the guy was.

“Hi, River. I’m Legacy, Legacy Kore. This is my friend, Calli Rhodes.”

The way River looked at her while she spoke actually gave her butterflies in her stomach. Reflex reaction, she guessed.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Legacy. You too, Calli,” he said as he stuck his hand out toward each of them for a quick handshake. She shook his with ease. Calli had a little more difficulty feigning nonchalance.

“What can I do for you?” he continued as he glanced back and forth from each of them.

Calli giggled a short laugh that she quickly suppressed.

“Er, nothing, thanks. Ms. Gorgos just gave me a job,” she offered to get the attention off Calli while her friend pulled herself together.

“Really? That’s great. We need a lot of help around here.” He smiled, locking his eyes with hers once again before glancing back at Calli.

“So, will you be working here, too?” he asked her.

“No. I came here for moral support,” Calli was finally able to comment.

“That’s too bad,” he said, and he actually sounded like he meant that.

“Don’t worry. You’ll still see me around. Legacy’s my best friend, and apparently, you and I are now neighbors.” Calli had finally slipped back into her regular, flirtatious personality.

“Well, that’s nice to know. Maybe I’ll come borrow a cup of sugar sometime,” he said, responding to her coy demeanor.

“You can come borrow anything you want.” Calli flashed a sly smile at him.

Okay, now Legacy was beginning to feel uncomfortable for a different reason.

River just laughed at her response and turned back to the counter to pick up the boxes.

“It was a pleasure to meet you both,” he said, but his eyes—though they lingered on Legacy’s a little longer—seemed almost confused.