Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87766 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 439(@200wpm)___ 351(@250wpm)___ 293(@300wpm)
“Just down there, you?” I stick my hands into my jacket pockets.
He stops walking and turns us around. “Three blocks over that way, down the alley and around the back,” he points. “I live in the apartment over the bakery.”
“Cool,” I nod, and we begin towards my car again.
“Yeah,” he sighs. “My sister forced me to move back in with Holly once she had the baby, which lasted for maybe three days,” he swallows. “Then I went back to Deb’s, and when Matt moved in I finally got my own place. Been there for about a year now. Renovated it myself and everything.”
“Ah,” I nod, trying to avoid the stupid thoughts running through my mind.
“What?” He asks, noticing my expression.
“I’m sure it’s very convenient for you to have this bachelor pad now.” I reach for my car door, knowing he’s starting at me, confused. “For you to, you know, bring all the ladies, so you can do stuff.”
He grabs my arm, stopping me.
“Let me be as clear as I can,” he leans in, his eyes fierce, yet soft, and I can’t help getting lost in them. “No lady has ever been in my apartment, baby.”
“Buddy,” I correct him, my voice croaking.
“Whatever,” he brushes it off, and I let out the breath I didn’t know I was holding, closing my eyes as he moves in even closer.
“Please don’t kiss me,” I whisper, just as his hand moves to brush a piece of hair out of my face.
“I wasn’t going to,” he whispers back, smirking.
“So are you into men now?” I joke, backing away, embarrassed.
“Luci,” his voice is even.
“No, it’s fine, I’m just surprised. No big deal.”
“Luci.”
“It’s just-”
“Luci!”
“What?”
“Nothing,” he sighs, shaking his head. “Do you want me to prove it?” He approaches me again, and I jump back.
“No.” My eyes are watering from the cold, and I cough, abruptly changing the subject from this too intense situation.
“So maybe we can re-evaluate who gets to pay next time?”
“Next time, huh?” He perks up.
I take a deep breath, and just when I think our intense moment is gone, he reaches up and cradles my cheek.
His touch is familiar and homey, invigorating and tender, and I try not to close my eyes and fully embrace it, because I want to, and I don’t want to want to.
“Jo-”
“And just for the sake of being clear, again,” his thumb caresses my skin, and that’s it. I close my eyes. It was either that or keep them open and fall into the dream-like heaven on his face. “I’ve never had anyone of the opposite sex in my apartment, except for my sister, and I’m not into men,” he laughs at my stupid attempt at a joke, “and if you lean in just a little I think you’ll be reminded of that.”
I exhale loudly.
“Also, I haven’t had sex with anyone since you, because they weren’t you. It was hard on me too.”
I’m about to say something, but he stops me.
“But that’s not to say I didn’t try,” his voice is soft. “I really tried,” he admits. “I tried to forget you and move on, but with every kiss, every touch, all I could see was you.”
My breath hitches, and my eyes open as he drops his hands and backs away.
“This is laughable, considering our situation,” he clears his throat while fumbling for his cell phone. “Especially since I already have your number, but I figure it would be less creepy if you actually gave it to me.”
I ramble off the numbers, watching as he punches them into his phone.
“There,” he hits the send button, and I feel the vibration in my purse. “Now you have mine too.” He offers a small smile. “Goodnight, Luci.”
“You know,” I call after him. “Senior year I would have loved to have your number,” I confess. “I looked you up in the phone book, of course. I found your house number, or where I obviously thought you lived, but I always wanted your cell. I’d stare at it on your desk constantly, wondering why you never gave it to me.”
“I thought about it,” he replies sheepishly, and I watch as he runs his fingers through his hair. “I thought about talking to you over the weekend all the time.”
“But…” I move him along.
“I didn’t want things to get more heated than they already were. What would come next? More of me leading you on while I wasn’t forthcoming with my situation?” He sighs. “It killed me. I was your teacher… and can we just not talk about all the stupid mistakes I’ve made?”
He walks back over and opens my car door.
“I’ll call you, Luci,” he promises.
“Just friends,” I remind him before getting in.
“Absolutely. I’ve already let my feelings for you go,” he winks. “You’re too much trouble anyway.”
I start the car, and as soon as he shuts the door I roll down the window. “Do you want a ride? It’s cold.”