Damaged (new adult romance) (Never Leave Me, #2) Read Free

said.
    “I see, okay, we ll, I’ll give it a shot. Jadie?”
    “Yes?”
    He got down on one knee.
    I started to laugh. “Whoa, what are you doing?”
    “What do you think I’m doing? I’m going right to it. I mean why take another chance at a failed date? I think we should just go for it, don’t you?”
    “Stop it! Get up. You look like a crazy person.”
    “Crazy about you,” he said.
    Blushing, I said, “If you don’t get up right this minute, I’m going to go back inside and never talk to you again.”
    He stood and put his hand over his heart. “Ouch, you win. I won’t ask you to marry me. How about we settle on a date?”
    “I think that’s a good start.”
    “How about now?” he asked.
    “Really?”
    “No, just kidding. Of course, really. I’m starving, you?”
    My stomach suddenly growled. I pressed my hand on it. Okay, okay, stop being so pushy.
    “There is an awesome Chinese carryout place a couple of blocks from here. We can grab some f ood and then go sit in the park,” I said.
    “Let’s do it,” he said, grinning.
    “Mind giving me five minutes?”
    “But, of course.”
    “I’d ask you in, but I’m pretty sure Lisa will start interrogating you. It’s probably best you wait here.”
    He nodded.
    I rushed to the bathroom to refresh myself. Comb my hair, put on some pink, no screw it, I’ll go for the red lipstick, and yep, let’s face it, my armpits could use a new layer of deodorant. Once I was satisfied with myself, I darted toward the door.
    “I take it all is well with Mr. Hottie,” Lisa yelled from the kitchen.
    “I’ll talk to you later,” I yelled back and disappeared through the front door.
    Reece wasn’t in the hallway. You’ve got to be kidding me!
    I made for the steps. There he was at the bottom of the staircase, a smile on his face, a single rose in his hand.
    “You look really pretty,” he said, once I had joined him.
    “Is that for me?” I asked, pointing at the rose.
    “No, it’s for your roommate, Lisa,” he said, quite seriously.
    “Hate to break it to you, but she prefers lilies over roses.”
    “Ah, well, in that case, I guess I better give it to you,” he said, extending the rose out to me.
    I took it. “Thank you,” I whispered. I suddenly felt very shy.
    “Thank you for agreeing to going out with me, again,” he said.
     
    ***
     
     
    We spent an hou r eating, laughing and talking in the park. He told me more about his book and I told him about the manuscripts I was reading for work and how some of them were really, really good, so good I wanted to publish them myself. It felt great to be with Reece and I wished we could stay in the park forever. A childish wish, for sure, yet I would have given anything to make it come true.
    He walked me back to my apartment building.
    “It was nice being with you,” he said.
    “I had a great time.”
    He kissed my cheek.
    “I hope your mom recovers quickly.”
    “Thank you. I’m heading back to the hospital.”
    “Let me know how she’s doing.”
    “I will.”
    “Okay, well, I’ll see you, then.”
    “Yeah, okay,” he said, not moving.
    I started climbing the stairs to my building. When I reached the top, I turned around.
    He was still there.
    “All right, well, I’m going inside, now.” I put my hand on the door knob.
    “Can I see you again?” he asked.
    “I’ll have to think about it,” I replied and entered the building. My heart was going to fall right down to my feet; I was so excited and so happy and so at peace.
     
    ***
     
     
    It was 9 p.m. Since I wanted to cherish the time I had spent with Reece, I went straight to my room and locked the door. My roommates would simply have to wait for the details.
    I didn’t see Reece on Sunday, but he did call to tell me he missed me and couldn’t wait to see me. He was spending the day with his mom and his little brother. We agreed to meet for lunch on Monday. I’m not embarrassed to admit that I pretty much spent most o f Sunday