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)
“What if she sees me?” I question nervously. “Wouldn’t that be weird?”
“I don’t know,” he hesitates. “I think my sister suspects something now, so I guess-”
“Joshy!” I turn around just as a lady with flowing chestnut hair, red lips, and a massive dress walks up and kisses him on his cheek. “Gosh I’m so sorry your cat died. We’ll have to reschedule our date very soon!”
He’s caught off guard, smiling tightly and nodding.
“Hello,” she acknowledges me before walking away. “Call me, Josh.”
“Since when do you have a cat?” I question. “I thought you hate cats?”
“That was something I made up to get out of a date.”
“Right,” I laugh, just as another lady approaches, also giving him a hug and a kiss on both cheeks. I try to tune them out until they’re finished, as this greeting is a little friendlier than the last.
“And that was?” I whisper.
“Lisa,” he answers. “The text you found,” he cringes. “I stood her up when I went to see you at school.”
“Did you, like, date everyone here?” He laughs at my semi-serious question, and I don’t miss the way Lisa turns back around and stares daggers at us both.
Ugh.
“Did you at least call her to cancel?” I prod. “You didn’t actually stand her up, did you?”
“Come on,” he holds out his hand, brushing off my question with a chuckle. “Dance with me.”
We hit the dance floor just as the band changes to a slow song. Josh pulls me against him as one arm wraps around my waist, and I try to ignore the feel of his hard chest mixed with his intoxicating scent.
His other hand grabs mine, and I look up at him before quickly turning away. I simply can’t stare at him while being this close without feeling completely vulnerable, as if anyone who looks over at us right now can tell exactly who he is to me, and all the things we’ve done together.
He pulls me even closer, and I continue to look everywhere but at him. I can’t help but notice that people are starting to pay attention to us, the way we’re pressed together - fitting together, a little too well.
“I can’t thank you enough for the other day,” I whisper, telling myself that no one is staring, and that it’s just my imagination. “You came all the way to me. Based on a message - three words, actually.”
“Luci,” my name is but a sigh. “Did you really think I wouldn’t?”
“It was just so nice of you. The way you dropped everything.”
“You would’ve done the same for me.”
“I would have,” I admit, pulling back to look him in the eye. “Even when I hated you the most.”
“I know,” he mouths, before pulling us close again, so close that I can feel his heart beating.
“Your heart and my heart are very old friends,” he whispers.
“Since when do you read poetry?” I smile, catching the eye of someone in the corner before looking away.
“Since we stopped talking,” his chest vibrates. “I thought it would bring me closer to you.”
“Josh-” My face saddens.
“It was hard on me too, Luci,” he exhales. “I hate myself for it too.”
We’re four songs in, and even when an up-tempo number plays we don’t stop our slow swaying.
“And who is this lovely lady?” I turn around, coming face to face with an older lady in a royal blue dress.
“Mom, this is Luci,” Josh smiles calmly. How is he so calm? “Luci, this is my Mom, Caroline.”
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Harrington,” I reach out to shake her hand, trying my best not appear nervous.
“Likewise, dear,” she smiles a vicious smile, and I swallow hard, widening mine.
“Holly tells me you’ve gone to school together? In the high school?”
My eyes bulge nervously, darting to Josh’s.
“Yes,” he coughs. “We still do. Colleagues,” he clears his throat. “Luci is a student teacher.”
“I see,” she smiles as she starts to back away. “Lovely to meet you, dear.”
I let out a breath I didn’t know I was holding, watching as she retreats.
“Wow,” I sigh. “Your Mom is intense.”
“Yeah,” he laughs.
“I don’t think she liked me,” I grumble.
“Eh,” he places his hand back on my hip as the next song rings in the air. “She doesn’t really like anyone.” He smiles, raising his eyebrows as our hands twist together, and the next thing I know, he’s bringing us even closer than before, too close to be entirely appropriate in front of all these people. His left hand brushes slowly against my back just as his thumb traces small circles on my hand.
“It’s like prom all over again,” I whisper, closing my eyes, letting his spicy scent flood my nostrils.
“That was a great night,” his chest vibrates, and the way he feels brings back a new set of memories, and for the first time, they’re good.
I open my eyes, and his gaze is intently on me. I’m not bitter, or mad, just enjoying the way he’s looking at me, until it dawns on me how easily he can break me again. I start to feel sweat form on my forehead, mixed with the quickening beat of my heart, recognizing the oncoming panic attack.