Total pages in book: 58
Estimated words: 55738 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 55738 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 279(@200wpm)___ 223(@250wpm)___ 186(@300wpm)
“I won’t let that happen,” I tell her.
“It might not be your choice. The second you give him what he wants—”
“It’s what we both want,” I snap. “I’m not some defenseless little flower. I’m not some stupid little kid. I don’t think he’s using me. If I had to bet, I’d bet everything I had on him wanting me as badly as I want him, but let’s say you’re right. Let’s say he is—”
“I’m not saying anything definite.”
“Then I want it too,” I go on. “I want him, whatever happens. If it’s just a fling, I can handle that. It’ll hurt, but I can take it. What I can’t take is hiding in my shell, never taking risks, never knowing what could’ve been.”
Mom sighs, squeezing my shoulder. She leans down and kisses my cheek softly. “I think that’s my cue to stop babying you.”
“I know you’re only trying to protect me,” I murmur, “but I can handle this. I promise.”
I’m unsure if that’s true or if this boyfriend and girlfriend talk is just a line. If he lied on the phone a few minutes ago when he said it wasn’t just a line, what would I do? Laugh it off, brush it all aside, tell the desire deep inside that none of it was real to begin with? But I’ve just promised Mom. I don’t break promises to her. That means I have to be able to handle it.
“Okay,” Mom says, kissing me again. “I trust you. I’ll stop coddling you but know one thing, Sammy. If you ever need me, I’m here.”
“Thanks, Mom. I love you.”
We hug for a long time. Then I head out to my car, released from the garage. When I went to pick it up, they told me the bill had already been settled. I remember the date and talking with Fletcher about how I’d like to start a family earlier. When I picked up the car, I wondered if we did have a family, would he support us? Or would he want me to work? Either way, I’d throw myself into the relationship and the future. We’d make it work, even if I had to work twelve-hour shifts daily. It’s him I want, not the money. That fact slamming into me on the way home felt good, affirming how true this connection is, at least on my end.
When I get to the park, I see my man leaning against the railing with Loki sitting at his feet. Fletcher looks so cool and calm in his army-green jacket and faded jeans. As I walk over, Loki runs until he’s at the full extension of his leash, straining to get closer to me. Fletcher chuckles and walks toward us. Kneeling, I stroke Loki on his head, then tickle him under the beard. He’s probably the most resilient person I’ve ever met. Well, the most resilient dog.
“Hey,” Fletcher says. Then he does something I never would’ve expected in public. He leans forward and presses his lips against mine. The shock stuns me for a moment, but then I taste his lips, taste his certainty. I kiss him back. “You seem surprised,” he goes on when the kiss is over.
I smile, trailing my hands up his back, holding tightly onto his solid muscle. “I didn’t think we were going to be public until…”
He sighs and nods. He doesn’t need me to mention James. “I feel like a terrible father, but when I see you, hell, I can’t resist.”
I take his hand, holding it tightly. “I know the feeling. Especially after…”
He nods again, his eyes getting dark. Leaning forward, he gently kisses the side of my head, where the glass bit into me. “I’ll never let anything happen to you. I’ll die or kill before I let that happen.”
When other boyfriends say stuff like that to their partners, there’s a chance it’s just talk. They want to seem tough and capable in front of their women. When it comes from Fletcher, I don’t have to wonder if it’s true. He proved it in the woods.
“Shall we?” he says, gesturing to the park.
“Is this our second date?” I tease as we walk through the gate and down the path. Loki stops every few moments to sniff.
“I guess it is,” Fletcher says, smirking. “Our second date, and I already feel closer to you than I would to any other woman after two hundred.”
I feel my cheeks heating up. I know there’s still so much up in the air. His son loves me, apparently. Deep down, when I look at this situation objectively or try to, I can see Fletcher’s point. We really shouldn’t be here, doing this so soon after what James told me. He was also right when he said it’s hard to resist.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks.
“Us,” I tell him.