Thorneless (Rose of Thorne Series) Read Free Page B

 While I’m waiting on her, I rehearse my speech over and over again about how I’m going to do this. Suddenly, the elevator door chimes and I see her slowly make her way in my direction.  She looks completely exhausted and completely breathtaking all at the same time. She is wearing a pink camisole and white shorts that showcase her sexy as hell long legs.  She forces a small smile at me, but her eyes remain cold and empty.  Actually they hold no life in them at all.  
    As I motioned for her to sit down, I vowed with everything in me that I’m going to do whatever it takes to put life back in those gorgeous eyes of hers.  I’ll help her put her broken heart back together and hope, at the same time, to put mine back together too.

                             
    Skylar
    I don’t even bother looking at my reflection in the mirror before I walked out of Kylie’s apartment.  I didn’t give a damn about how I looked to myself, let alone, do I care what anyone else thinks of my appearance.   As I make my way downstairs to see Lucas, I can’t help but wonder why he’s even here.  Maybe he’s just here to check on me. Yeah, that’s got to be it.  I just can’t figure out what he needs to talk to me about that’s so important.  I really don’t have the energy for this today.
    I see his handsome face as I make my way into the large lobby of the apartment building.  He seems to be nervously pacing, and that’s not like him at all.  I try my best to put on a happy face, but I’ve never been very good at acting.  He smiles back at me and motions for me to sit down.  He sits in the seat beside me and turns to face me with a serious look on his face.
    Great! This cannot be good!  
    “How’s your hand doing?” He asks pointing to my newly wrapped bandage.
    “It’s sore, but I’m fine. Thanks for asking,” I nervously reply.  I know he’s leading up to say something.
    “That’s good.  Did you sleep any last night? You look exhausted Skylar.”
    “Why are you here Lucas?” I cut right to the point.  I don’t feel like telling him how miserable my night had been or that I hadn’t slept at all.  It really isn’t any of his business.
    “I’m here because I wanted to talk to you about something, Skylar.  But before I do, I need you to promise to hear me out completely.  Can you do that?”
    “Lucas, I . . . ” He interrupts me before I can finish.
    “Skylar, we’re friends now, right?” I nod in response to his statement.
    “Good. And as your friend, I want to help you.”
    I open my mouth to object and he scoots in to me and holds my good hand.
    I stare down at the hand he’s holding.  I’d forgotten just how wonderful his hands had felt. So strong, yet gentle. Blinking away the memory, I look back up into his green eyes and watch them darken. He’s really serious about something, so I decide to listen to whatever it is that he has to say.
    “Ok, I’m listening,” I reply.
    “I have really important business that I have been neglecting these past few months.  I’m going to be traveling a lot and I won’t be back in Austin for a while,” he says.
    “Oh, well . . . um . . . when do you leave then?” I ask trying to not seem confused.
    “I leave by the end of the week actually—if it’s alright with you that is,” he says.
    Okay, now I am REALLY confused.
    “Why would I matter in that Lucas?” I ask him.
    “Because Skylar, I want you to come with me.”
    “Come with you?  I can’t possibly come with you, Lucas!” I answer.
    “Just listen to me Skylar, okay?  You said yourself that you can’t go back to work for Sebastian and that you can’t even go back home to get your things, let alone live there. Other than Kylie, this city holds nothing but pain and bad memories for you.  Sophie is gone off to college now, Skylar. It’s time to live your life for a change. You need some time to clear your head—to decide what you want to do next.