Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20424 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20424 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
I let myself lean into him. My throat goes tight. I’ve missed him. I’ve missed this. He’s always felt like home to me. We’d been so close growing up. Then I had to go and get deeper feelings and break my own heart. I took it out on Eric too. But even now as I stand here close to him, my heart breaks a little more knowing that I’ll never have him the way I want. I push the disappointment down and try to enjoy his embrace instead.
“I miss you,” I admit. I suck in a breath when his mouth touches my neck. I close my eyes, not wanting to move.
“I more than missed you.” His hug tightens and he lifts me off my feet, making me laugh. I stare down at him. How did I stay away from him for so long? I have to figure out a way we can still be friends. I know it won’t be easy, but having him in my life in some capacity is better than not having him at all, I decide.
“We should get a move on it.”
“Yeah,” he agrees, letting me slip down his big body. I turn around quickly to hide my face. He was hard. I’d felt every inch of him press into my stomach. I swallow, trying not to read into it.
“I know you felt it Daisy.”
My cheeks warm as I peek over my shoulder at him.
“Happens a lot when you’re near.” My mouth falls open. Wait. When did he start seeing me as a woman and not his best friend's little sister?
“Eric.”
“Let’s get your things.” He walks over, picking up a few boxes and heading out of my bedroom. I stand there, not sure what the hell happened. I grab a box before I let myself get wrapped up in my head. Yet I can’t deny the tiny spark of hope that flutters in my chest.
At least that’s my plan, but my mind keeps on reminding me of the words he said. Is this something I can even pursue? Will I only wind up getting my heart broken again? Years ago I thought Eric was my forever. There hadn’t been a single doubt in my mind back then that we’d be together forever. But now I wonder if we started dating could we end up breaking up? That sounds all kinds of messy with how tightly our families are woven together.
“You okay, babe?” Eric takes the box from out of my hand.
“Yeah.”
“Why don’t you go say your goodbyes to your mom and mine? I’ll get the boxes.”
“Okay,” I agree, feeling as if I’m in a daze. When I walk past him, Eric slaps me on my ass.
“Eric! You did not just do that.”
“Think I did.” He smirks, grabbing another box to stack. I shake my head, leaving the bedroom. I find my parents in the kitchen along with PJ.
“Give me some sugar.” I give PJ a kiss on the cheek and a hug.
“Eric helping you?”
“Yeah.” I lick my bottom lip. She stares at me for a moment.
“Good.” She smiles, breaking the stare. There’s something mischievous in the way she smiles at me.
Mom comes around the counter and gives me another hug, not letting go. “Mom.” I laugh.
“I got her.” Dad pulls Mom back for me. He kisses me on top of the head. “It’s fine, honey. I’m sure you’ll make up a reason for us to stop by tomorrow.”
“I’m going to bring groceries. I bet you don’t have any.”
“That sounds perfect.” This time I hold her tight. “Love you, Mom.”
“Love you too, sweetheart.”
“I got her.” Eric snags my hand and begins walking us toward the front door.
I hear my mom sniffle and also my dad’s whispers to her of how everything is going to be all right and that he’ll make her feel better later. I know I should be embarrassed by how openly affectionate they are, but seeing how much they are still in love warms my heart. It makes me want that for myself.
“I’ll drive.” He shakes my truck keys he already had in his hand. “Josh is driving Noelle up.” He opens the door for me, letting go of my hand.
“Eric.” I grab his hand back. I stare at him, not sure what to say, but I don’t want to let his hand go.
“Relax. I see your mind racing. Promise everything is going to be fine, babe.” I let go of his hand before he shuts the door.
I really hope everything is going to be fine. I wish it could be more than fine.
3
Eric
I suck in a deep breath, loving the smell of her. The whole inside of the truck cabin is filled with her strawberry smell. For as long as I could remember it was strawberry everything for her. I can’t smell a strawberry without getting hard.