Текст книги "Seeing You "

Автор книги: Michelle Lynn

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 16 страниц)

My phone rings, disturbing me from my thoughts, and I jump in my seat. As my phone vibrates along the table, I struggle to get a good grip on the small black metal.

“Hello?”

“Hey, beautiful. I saw you called. I just got out of the shower.”

I’m so consumed with staring at the picture of Todd that I almost forget why I called Davis in the first place.

“Davis.” I sigh.

“I know. I’m sorry.” He sounds genuine.

I’m confused as to why he did it. “Bette isn’t happy, and she said she almost pulled me.”

“She wouldn’t do that, Lia. It was selfish of me, and I am sorry. Just know I did it because I want to see you. I hate that I’m stuck here for a month.”

I smile from the sound of sincerity and caring pouring out of him. Too much has been coming to the surface since he left.

“Davis, we need to talk.”

“I said I was sorry. Do you not forgive me?”

“I understand you wanting to see me, but I’ve worked my ass off to get this showcase. I’m hurt that you tried to change the date. A movie premiere that you have a cameo in isn’t more important than my show.”

The whole talk-off-your-chest feels good. I never did it with Cam until the day I broke up with him.

“I really didn’t mean it like that. Lia, I know you’re talented enough to get a show again. That’s why I thought I’d ask.”

“It wasn’t your decision to make.” My blood boils. I refuse to let another man control me.

“I know. I’m really sorry. I felt like an ass as soon as Bette told me off.”

“You should have.”

“I said I did.” Even over the phone, I hear him speaking through clenched teeth. “What do you want from me?”

“What about Heather? There are rumors going around CHOPs.” I might as well go all the way. Let’s air this shit out.

“I hate fucking rumors.” A loud crash echoes through my phone. “Are you asking me if I fucked her?” His voice escalates.

I pull my phone away from my ear. My eyes stare at the Don’t disturb the art plaque right in front of my desk as I wish I could go off on him right now.

“I know you fucked her. I’m just wondering why you lied to me,” I seethe, looking toward Bette’s office doors to double-check that she can’t hear me. In all honesty, I’m assuming he fucked her.

“It was a drunken night a year ago. It meant nothing to me.”

“It obviously meant something to her. She was upset that we were dating.”

Him not caring about a woman he slept with scares me. How invested is he really with me? How quickly will I be forgotten?

“Were?”

“Were what?”

“You said we were dating. Are we not anymore?”

“It was a slip, but after this exchange, I’m wondering if we should be done.”

“Listen, Lia, I like you, and I don’t think I’ve given you any reason not to believe me.”

“Except for lying about sleeping with Heather and calling my boss to pull some strings you feel entitled to.”

“I don’t have time for this, Lia. I’m late for dinner. Why don’t I call you tonight, and we can talk more if you want?”

Here I go again with another guy who doesn’t put me first on his priority list, another guy who thinks his world is better than mine.

“Maybe we should take a break.”

“Fine, if that’s what you want.” His tone changes to indifferent.

With that alone, my decision is made. “Fine. Have a nice dinner.”

Way to be childish, Lia.

“You’re being terribly immature.”

“Whatever.”

“I’m not sure why I’m going to tell you this, but I’m going to dinner with my ex tonight. It’s nothing more than a dinner with friends, but she’ll be there. I’m fairly certain photos will be taken, so I wanted to prepare you in case the paparazzi print anything.”

A nauseous feeling gnaws in my stomach.

“Lia?”

I clear my throat. “Have fun,” I croak out.

“Lia.”

I hang up the phone and immediately look up Davis’s ex on Google. It doesn’t take long to see images of the two of them together during their short time as a couple. Anyone can see the love pouring out of Davis’s eyes as they laugh while leaving a coffee shop. She’s in yoga pants and a midriff T-shirt while he’s sporting track pants and a T-shirt. They look like they just escaped out of a sex marathon in bed for the past three days. A queasy ripple churns in my gut. It only confirms our break—most likely breakup—was a good idea.

The bell over the door dings, and I look up to find a pair of crystal-blue eyes peering over to me.

“What’s up, hot stuff?” Todd crosses the gallery, and his forearms flex when he leans over the counter.

“The question is, are you ready to make sex to my camera?” I stand and mindlessly grab my purse from the drawer.

“I’ll screw more than your camera, if you’ll let me.”

I swallow hard, and heat flows up my neck. I focus on the floor before he notices my red cheeks. “I was expecting to meet you at the park. Let me go tell Bette that I’m leaving,” I murmur before disappearing down the hall.

On the way, Davis disappears from my mind, and giddiness washes over me as I think about spending the rest of the day with Todd.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Amelia

Friday morning, I walk into Art on Wells. The smell of coffee fills the small space.

“That’s an interesting look,” Bette says, actually touching my recently cut bangs. “Why did you cut them?” The dislike in her tone isn’t hard to miss.

“I just wanted something different,” I remark, ignoring her hidden insults to my new hairdo.

“She’s beautiful, as always,” Todd compliments me after sauntering through the front door.

“Oh, Todd. Someone taught you to be a gentleman.”

Bette places her hand on his arm when he approaches, and his lips turn into that panty-melting smile she enjoys so much. His eyes meet mine and he moves away from her, coming closer to me. My breathing stops until his lips touch my cheek.

“Good morning, Noodle,” he says softly.

My breathing picks up as well as my heartbeat. When did Todd make my body react as if I’m a teenager with a crush on the high school quarterback?

“Morning.” I turn on my heels and escape to the back room.

“So, can you believe ABC is coming here? You were a must. They told me that if you weren’t going to be here, they might not come.” Bette boosts Todd’s ego and deflates mine in one shot.

“Oh, I doubt that. Amelia’s talent is what’s bringing them here.” Todd comes to my defense.

I’m grateful someone believes in my work.

Ignoring the two, I distract myself with the art on display. I make sure the guys hung and marked each picture accordingly before the news crew arrives.

By the time I’m in the middle of the room to make sure my center point is correct, Todd’s reading the description. He doesn’t look up, but his hand reaches out and links with mine. An unspoken connection is made between us. It’s as if we both know that day in the studio, so many months ago, things changed for him, for us. I didn’t realize then what I know now—how Todd could have been my one this whole time.

Not caring about anything other than Todd’s touch, I stand there in silence with him. His crisp citrus cologne overtakes all of my senses.

“You’re so talented,” he whispers.

“Thank you.” Finally, my head rises, and I look in his direction. I don’t fight his compliment or brush it off like usual.

His hand reaches up and cradles my face.

“I need the money so bad,” I reveal my fear.

His smirk vanishes way too fast for me.

“Maybe not after tomorrow night.” Again, he believes in me more than I do.

“Doubtful, but thank you,” I say, pressing my face into his strong hand. “Todd.”

He steps closer, breaking the gap. “What, Noodle?” My heart thumps against my chest.

“Thank—”

“Amelia, Todd”—Bette’s nails-on-a-chalkboard fake voice booms into the room—“the camera people are here to set up.” She stops talking instantly when she turns the corner.

Once the sounds of the equipment distract our thoughts enough, we separate.

Bette’s forehead is scrunched up in twenty wrinkles lining her forehead as she studies us to understand something she never could. “Amelia, dear, you should go freshen up,” she directs.

As much as I want to say that I already did that half an hour ago, the separation from Todd would do me good at the moment.

Two hours later, the news anchors for the morning show are busy drooling over a very charming Todd while I’m discussing with the assistant what time the show will air and the art show exhibit details. They leave, and knowing there’s nothing more I can do, I gather the last of my self-confidence in my photos and decide it will have to do. This late in the game, there’s no way I can change anything.

“Let’s go get some lunch.” Todd swings his arm around my shoulders and leads me to the door. “You need to relax, and I’m just the guy to help you,” he flirtatiously says, which only brings tingles to every nerve cell in my body.

The thought of him relaxing me sounds pretty damn good right now.

“Where do you want to go?” I change the subject, not knowing where our relationship stands in this moment. I feel like we’re the sail on a ship, allowing the wind to lead us wherever it decides.

“I have a place.”

We leave Art on Wells and walk to Todd’s Jeep. He’s the perfect gentleman, opening the door for me and shutting it once I climb in. He’s never done that, and whatever is evolving between us is moving faster than the windstorm of a hurricane.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Todd

Noodle and I grab the subway to Jim and Carol’s—well, I guess just Jim’s. Noodle graciously asked Jim to Sunday dinner with her family.

Lines are blurring between us, and I’m not sure how much longer I can keep my distance from her. We never talk about Davis anymore, and although I wonder if he’s calling her, I never ask. I figure I’ll know when it’s over because she’ll be a basket case.

I knock on the screen door.

“Come in.” Jim turns down the television and sits up in his recliner.

“You remember Lia, right?”

He stands, and I’m impressed to see his new white T-shirt.

“I do.” He holds his hand out to Noodle. “Nice to see you again.” A pink flushes his cheeks.

“Nice to see you, too.”

I hold up bags full of groceries. “Here’s some food for the week. Go get a shirt. We’re taking you to Noodle’s.”

Jim follows behind me to the kitchen and is inches away from my face when I turn around.

He’s shaking his head. “I’m not going.” The shaking continues at a fast pace.

“It will be fun.” I put the groceries away in his sparse cabinet and fridge. “Her family is awesome. Actually, you might know her dad. He works at the same factory.” I mindlessly go about organizing his shelves.

“Jim, if it helps, my family doesn’t drink at Sunday dinners,” Noodle says.

I huff and realize why Jim is so panicked. I should have known. He’s been clean for a couple weeks, and I shouldn’t assume he’s ready to be strong enough just yet.

“They don’t?” He sits down in the wooden kitchen chair.

“No. My mom put a stop to it after my brothers got drunk and started beating each other up over a girl.” Noodle pulls out the chair next to him and sits down.

The redness fades from his face, showing he’s cooling down. “Okay. What’s your dad’s name?”

“Joe Fiore.”

Jim’s eyes light up. “You’re Joe’s girl? I worked third shift with him years ago.” He looks up to me. “We should bring something.”

We sounds like a family term, definitely not one that has been used between the two of us. But I like it.

“I help Noodle’s grandma when I get there.” I check my watch. “And we should leave now.”

Noodle hops up after she glances at the rooster clock on the wall. “Yes. Trust me, Jim. We don’t want to be late.”

* * *

The three of us walk through the door at Noodle’s parents’ house, and I leave Jim in her hands as I go hide in the kitchen after saying hello to everyone.

“How are you, Marie?” I grab the apron she’s put on the island and secure it around me.

The gray-haired lady is busy cutting up some vegetables and peeks up at me. “You’re a sight. I’m tired today.” Her shoulders slump down, and she rests the knife on the cutting board.

“You go enjoy yourself. I can take over for the day.” I pick up the knife and start cutting up the herbs at a much faster pace.

She slides a chair across the floor. “This is good training for you.” She crosses her legs, intently watching me. Davis’s appraisal of me doesn’t make me as uneasy as hers does.

I finish the herbs and toss them into the sauce she already has simmering. “Smells fantastic.”

“I know.”

“Modest, huh?”

“What are you guys doing?” Noodle flies through the swinging kitchen door. She’s pulled her hair back into a ponytail, exposing the nape of her neck. “It’s so hot in here.”

Especially now.

“How’s Jim?” I glance up to her before concentrating on the meatball mix.

“He and my dad are talking about the plant. I guess they worked together for a few years.” She ventures to the sink and washes her hands.

“Are you going to help?”

She slides on the stool in front of me. “I was thinking about it. I might not be as good as you, but Gram has taught me things over the years.”

“She follows directions well,” Marie says.

“See? Use me where you need me.”

“That’s tempting,” I say. Then, I cringe, remembering her grandma is five feet away.

Grandma Marie uses the counter to pry herself up. “I’m going to leave you two to it.” She exits through the door looking like she’s ready for a nap.

“Did she look pale to you?” Noodle whispers over the counter.

“She said she’s tired.”

“I’m worried.” She grabs the bowl of meatball mix and helps me roll the mixture into tiny balls.

“She’s good.” I wave my hand at all the pots going. “She did all this. I just think we should help her out a little more.”

We both reach into the bowl, and our hands brush. We look up at one another and smile. There’s a lightness in her brown eyes that isn’t usually there.

“What?” I ask.

She shakes her head. “You’re right. We should.”

I finish rounding my meatball and wash my hands. “You keep doing that.”

“What am I? Your line cook?”

“You’re always welcome to accompany me in the kitchen.” I rush over to the fridge to find everything I need. “Marie is awesome. I knew she’d have these.”

The huckleberries overflow in the carton. Marie must have bought them at the farmers market. Sometimes, I feel we’re one and the same. I guarantee she wanted to bake a pie but lost her energy.

“What are you doing?” Noodle continues to roll up the meatballs and attempts to find room on the crowded baking sheet.

“We’re going to bake a pie.” I dump the berries into the colander to wash them off.

“We?”

I laugh. “Yes, we. You said you thought we should help out. I need to train you to be my line cook.”

She meets me at the sink and knocks me with her hip. I pray it’s her way of flirting with me.

“You like doing that, don’t you?” I say.

She laughs and switches the faucet to her side. “I’m strong enough to push you away.” She wipes her hands on the towel then raises her arms in the air, flexing. “See, I’m strong.”

“You think you’re strong?”

“I do.”

“Stronger than me?”

“Maybe.” She tilts her head and shrugs.

We both know that’s not true.

My arms wrap around her waist, and I pick her up.

Mid-swing around, she hits me on the shoulders. “Put me down.”

“No. After this, you’re going to lift and swing me around the room.”

Laughter pours out of each of us.

“I’m serious,” she stutters. “You’ll break your back.”

“By lifting you?”

I hate her insecurity. She’s beautiful, and she deserves someone who will show that to her every minute of every day.

“Don’t act like you don’t see it.”

My arms fall, and she slides down the length of my body.

I cradle her head in my palms and stare her straight in the eyes. “You are nothing short of drop-dead gorgeous.”

Her eyes shift down, and her breathing increases. “Teach me to make a pie.”

“Don’t try to divert the topic. You do know how beautiful you are.”

She twists out of my hold and busies herself at the stove.

“Noodle?”

She doesn’t grace me with a response. I distance myself and watch her move around the kitchen, dodging the conversation we just had.

“You tell me why you’ve never had a meaningful relationship, and then we can talk about my self-esteem when it comes to my looks.” She leans against the counter and crosses her arms, pushing her breasts up.

My eyes cast down and then back to her. She looks down then unhooks her arms.

“See? I can’t keep my eyes off you.”

Her eyes roll, and she turns her back to me and stirs the sauce.

I break the distance and lean over her shoulders. “My past screwed me up. I trust no one,” I whisper in her ear.

Her head leans closer to me. Her back rises and falls against my chest, and I wish she were mine in this moment. I would love to ignite shivers in her from my lips touching her smooth skin.

“I’ve always been the fat girl,” she whispers back, continuing to stir the sauce, as though we aren’t divulging our biggest fears.

My chest hurts because she doesn’t see what I see when she looks in the mirror. The beautiful image that pours out of her isn’t the reflection she sees back.

“I’m so scared of people leaving me that I prefer to live a life alone.”

My hands mold to her hips, and she doesn’t move away.

“I’m scared I’ll never be the girl a guy wants to show off.”

My mouth inches closer, and her breathing staggers.

“I’m starting to think I want more than one night, but I’m terrified.”

Her head tilts into my face that’s nuzzling into the bend of her neck.

“I want someone to sweep me off my feet.”

My fingers dig in to her hip bones, and she sinks into my chest. I’m not sure she would pull away if I kissed the soft spot of her neck my eyes won’t leave. Rather, I’m sure she’d enjoy it.

“I want to be someone’s white knight.”

“I want it to be—”

“What’s going on in here?” Bruno busts through the door.

I remove my hands from his sister as I clear my throat. “What’s up, man?”

Noodle coughs, and her wrist circles a mile a minute in the sauce. She’d better watch out, or the sauce will splatter all over her shirt.

“Grandma went up to take a nap. I heard you’re running family dinner.”

“She already started it.” I never take credit where it’s not due.

My eyes ping to Noodle then back to him. Her face is completely red, and I can’t deny that I love that I affect her that much.

“Did she give you the recipe?” Bruno asks.

I wish I could knock some sense into this guy, but he wants to become a millionaire. His drive just needs a U-turn to go another route.

“Jesus!” Noodle slams the wooden spoon on the stove and red splatters everywhere. “Give it a damn rest, Bruno.” She stands chest to chest to him with her hands on her hips. “No one is going to sell Grandma’s sauce, okay? Find a job, any job. Stop the get-rich-quick shit, and just work like everyone else.”

She pushes the kitchen door open and leaves the room.

“What is her problem?” Bruno looks back and forth from the door to me.

I don’t say anything because I’m fairly sure she’s upset that he interrupted us, and if that’s the case, I’m too happy to argue another reason. A smile creeps up my lips, and I can’t fight it.

I think she likes me.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Amelia

Todd and I leave my parents’ house and return to Fort Greene Park, because I want a few scenery pictures with the hope that Bette will allow me to sneak one or two in. I figure, as long as they have Todd in them, she’s more likely to be okay with something different. There are only a few more hours of daylight, and I think the dusk pictures will be a perfect fit for the show. Thank goodness, Jim and my dad were busy talking about work.

We sit down on a blanket, courtesy of my mom, and unwrap the pieces of pie we took to go.

“It smells delicious.” I fork my pie and stare out at the people running or walking along the path.

“What did you expect? I made it.” He gobbles down a healthy forkful.

I swear he has the metabolism of a teenager.

“I’m so nervous about the show.” I nibble on the inside of my cheek.

“Don’t be. The show is going to be great. Besides”—he leans in, and his breath tickles my neck—“I’ll be right by your side.”

I laugh. “Believe me, Bette will keep you occupied.”

“No one can keep me from you. Don’t worry. I guarantee everyone is going to love your work. You’ve done other shows,” he mumbles through another bite while my pie stays in the container, uneaten.

The pie looks mouthwatering, but my nerves don’t allow me to eat. “They were so small compared to Bette’s. Not to mention, the others were all new artists fresh out of the academy.”

“Don’t get me wrong. When my time comes, I’ll be sweating bullets in the kitchen, but this is your dream.” He grabs my shoulders to face him. “Your dream. Everything you’ve worked for. Now’s the time.”

“I know. It’s just nerve-racking.”

“Don’t lose faith in yourself now. I’ll just keep reminding you of how amazing you are.”

He goes back to eating, and I lean back on my hands.

“You’re sweet. Thank you.”

“You’ll do the same with me. Look what you did with Edith and Karla.”

“Speaking of which, what’s going on with that?” I say, like it was a big deal to act like his fiancée. Not at all.

“They haven’t called.” Now, he puts his fork down and lifts his legs to rest his arms across them.

“They will.” I knock him.

He catches himself before falling to his side. “Why are you always knocking me over?”

“It’s fun.”

The urge to hide behind my lens emerges, and I stand with my camera and start snapping pictures of the trees, the people, and water. The park is beautiful, and somehow, I’ll always think of it as my spot with Todd.

“Can you wait until I finish?” He holds his hand up in the air to block the camera.

“No.”

I look through the lens at Todd, and I can’t deny how good-looking he is. I’ve always known he’s gorgeous, but these last few weeks, it’s become about more than his chiseled jaw or bright blue eyes drawing me to him. He’s nice, encouraging, and protective of me. He bears a natural kindness to everyone, and lately, my thoughts drift to him instead of Davis.

“Is Davis coming back for the show?”

I turn my back to Todd and act as though I’m taking a picture of the boat floating on the lake. “No.”

“He’s not?” The judgment toward Davis is clear from his tone.

“No. He bought me a ticket to a movie premiere, and I was supposed to go out there.”

“The same weekend?”

“Yes.” I sit next to him and place my camera down. “Can I ask you something?”

I wish I had the nerve to ask him if he liked me, but instead, I decide to test the waters and see if I’m by myself on this attraction island.

“What’s up?” He downs the remaining part of his pie.

“Let’s say that you get your restaurant. Do you think your career should come before your girlfriend?” There. I asked it.

“No, but I’m different than Davis. Davis is all career-oriented, which isn’t a bad thing. His drive got him to where he is now.”

“Yeah, I guess.”

I think about my conversation with Davis the night before he left, how he did the enormous gesture for his now ex-wife. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want that side of Davis, or anyone for that matter.

“I told him I wanted to take a break.”

“Because he can’t come back for your show?” Todd’s eyes dig into mine.

I wish he’d kiss me and tell me we’re meant for each other. Shit, focus, Amelia.

“No, he called Bette to get the date of my show changed.”

“Maybe he just wanted you to be with him.”

“Don’t you get it? He wants to control the situation. He wants to control me. I don’t want a relationship like that.”

I could pound my fist on the grass from Todd not understanding why I’m angry with Davis.

“I get it, but it came from his heart.”

Why is he sticking up for Davis?

“Oh, my God. I want a guy who would put me in front of himself. A guy who I know, when I’m in his arms, there’s nowhere else he’d rather be. A guy who loves me with every fiber of his being.”

“Do you love Davis?” Todd licks his lips, and he inhales a breath.

“Obviously not. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have told him I needed a break.” I grab my camera. “Enough of this sappy shit.”

“Noodle, let’s talk.”

He pulls my sweatshirt, and I fall to the ground.

“What do you want me to say?”

“What do you want?”

Who do I want is more like it.

“I want a guy who does the grand gesture for me. A guy who abandons everything just to be with me.”

He peers down at me, and my breathing staggers with every beat of a second, thinking we’re about to cross the line.

He leans down, and I suck in one last breath.

This is it.

He snatches the camera from the blanket, and my attempt to grab it back fails.

“Look at me.” He poises the camera in my direction.

My hands fly up, and I bury my face into my chest. “No. I’m not meant to be on this side of the lens.” I twist around, dodging his advance to snap a picture of me.

“Come on, Noodle. It’s just for fun.” He places his hand on my arm.

I release a breath, staring over at him. He clicks the camera once, and my hands move to grab it away from him, but he turns around, gripping it in his hands.

“Todd.” I sigh.

He shakes his head. “This is your time. Come on. Make sex to the camera.”

He stands and squats down on the hill a few feet away, and I hear the shutter of the camera clicking nonstop.

“Todd, I’m not like that,” I pout.

He doesn’t change his position from holding the camera my way. “Sure you are. It’s me. Show me your spontaneous side.”

He clicks the camera button again, and I cringe.

I turn around and place my thumbs in my ear, bringing my fingers out like antlers. He laughs, and his finger doesn’t release the button.

“Not exactly sexy, but I’m easy,” he mumbles.

“I’m much better at hiding behind the lens.”

My head dips down, and I look up at him through my eyelashes.

Snap. The picture gets taken.

“Okay, enough.” I run over to him and try to grab the camera again.

His arm holds me out at length while the camera clicks away.

“Todd!” I scream.

His amusement only grows louder to my antics. “You get the camera, and it’s yours,” he eggs me on.

I lunge again, and I end up on top of him, my hands reaching over his head for the camera.

“I kind of like this game,” he comments.

I look down at my breasts in his face.

I sit up and straighten my shirt, buttoning the top button that came undone in the midst of our struggle. I inhale and exhale deep breaths through my mouth, and I compose myself.

“Hey, why did you move? I liked it.” He sits back up.

I look over at him. “Like I said, I’m not meant to be on the other side of the lens.” I stand and brush the grass off my ass. “Let’s go.”

The pie container crumples in my hands on the way to the trash can. My heart races from Todd coming so close but continuing to pull away.

His footsteps crunch on the leaves behind me, and I step away because I can’t be that close to him right now. My want continues to increase, and I need to distance myself if he doesn’t want to cross our line of friendship.

“Noodle,” he mumbles. His fingers linger on my shoulder, igniting a rush of shivers up my neck. “Was there any other reason you told Davis that you wanted a break?”

I inch back into him, and his hand grazes down my shoulder until his long fingers merge with mine.

“I’m scared.”

“Of what?” His chest protects my back from the chill of the wind at dusk.

“You,” I admit, my stomach clenching.

“You do the same to me.” His lips brush along my bare skin under my ear. “You terrify me,” he whispers.

I lean into his touch. “Why?”

I look around and find the bike paths are mostly empty. We’re alone with no one to stop us this time.

“You have the power to destroy me. You’ll be the first and last person I’ll completely trust.”

I close my eyes, relishing in his lips cascading small kisses on my skin. He can’t think I’d be his last because I’m going to teach him he can trust people—especially me.

I withdraw my hand from his and turn around to look in his eyes. The blue irises are pure and only mirror the love I feel for him. I cradle his cheeks within my palms and stare into his big, hopeful eyes for a few seconds.

“Somewhere in the middle of all of this, I fell for you. That’s the reason I ended it with Davis.” A huge weight lifts from my body, finally admitting it not only to Todd, but also to myself.

“You pull emotions out of me that I’ve never felt. I pray I won’t fuck this up.”

I shake my head. “You won’t.” My hands travel down his muscular arms and entwine our fingers.

“How can you be so sure?”

I squeeze our hands together. “Because I know you. You’ll never hurt me.” Tears fill my eyes.

“Never on purpose.” He draws his hands from mine and pulls me into a hug.

“Never,” I whisper into his sweatshirt.

He tightens his hold on me. He pulls back, and his eyes lock on mine. “I don’t deserve you, but I promise I’ll never forget that fact.”

“Todd?”

“Yeah?”

“Kiss me.”

My heart pounds out of my chest as he leans closer, breaking the minuscule distance between us.

I notice a small scar just under his chin, and my curiosity wonders where he got it. By some jerk of a foster parent or a fight? There’s so much I don’t know about him, but that small flaw on his perfect face makes me anxious to find out every detail of his life.

Todd dips further, and my pulse quickens from the anticipation of our first kiss. He meets my lips, and a current of warmth runs through my body. My arms swing around his neck as I rise to my tiptoes and lose myself in his soft, warm lips.

The taste of huckleberry pie swirls between us as our tongues slide along one another’s. His hands grip the back of my jacket, and he draws me closer. Our mouths smash harder, and I fist a handful of his hair. Moans and groans replace the noises of the park.

Todd’s hands release my jacket, and mine relax around his neck as the kiss closes.

He cradles my head in his strong hands. “Come home with me. I’m not asking you to sleep with me, but I want to be alone with you.”

I nod.

He blesses me with a gentle kiss that lingers longer than I expected, and he guides me out of the park.