Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 88889 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88889 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 444(@200wpm)___ 356(@250wpm)___ 296(@300wpm)
I smile at her, and being careful not to tear the paper, I unwrap it.
“God, you have the patience of a saint. I just rip the paper to shreds.”
“I want to keep it,” I say. Then I see the little toy version of a Mustang, and my smile widens. “I’ve always wanted a Mustang.”
“Who doesn’t?”
“Right?”
I spend the next ten minutes carefully unwrapping all my gifts, and by the time I finish, I have a nice little collection of toy cars.
“I’ll even play with you,” Kelcie says.
I shake my head quickly. “I’m not taking them out of the boxes. I’m going to put them on the shelf in my living room.”
Our eyes meet, and the urge to kiss her hits me again. Instead of giving in, I clear my throat and look at the cake.
“I’ll make coffee and tea.”
“Thanks,” I murmur.
She grins at me as she prepares the beverages. “We can have some of the cake because you can’t keep it.”
“Wait before you cut it.” I hurry out of her house and jog to my place. Grabbing my phone from the office, I head back. When I step into the kitchen, I unlock the device and take a photo of the cake.
“Let me take one of you,” Kelcie offers. “Stand by the cake.”
I shake my head and pull her in beside me. When I have both us and the cake in the frame, I take the photo. Looking at it, my heart stutters in my chest because Kelcie is unbelievably beautiful, and her smile is filled with happiness.
“Will you please send it to me?”
I nod. “Sure. What’s your number?”
She chuckles as she walks to the living room to pick up her phone. “Isn’t it weird that we’ve been friends for . . . holy crap, has it been two months?”
Hell if I know.
“I think so,” I reply.
“Anyway, it’s funny that we’ve been friends for so long and haven’t even exchanged numbers.”
When she gives me her number, I program it into my device before sending her the photo.
“I’m making it my screen saver,” she says.
In that case, I’m doing the same. I stare at the photo again, noticing the lines on my face aren’t as harsh anymore.
Kelcie is changing me. I don’t think she realizes how much joy she’s bringing into my life.
Beautiful memories I’ll cherish forever.
Chapter 12
Kelcie
Sitting under the tree’s bare branches, I look at each of the gravestones.
Hi.
My grief shudders through me, and I close my eyes.
I miss you all so much.
A cold wind blows over the cemetery, and I snuggle into Levi’s jacket, which I never gave back to him. I only wear it when I come here because, in a way, it’s comforting. It’s the second-best thing to having him hold me.
I open my eyes again and read the names engraved into the granite.
Coming to visit you used to be unbearable. But since I’ve met Levi, it’s not so crushing anymore. I wish you could meet him. I think you’d all approve.
He writes books, Mom.
A sad little chuckle escapes me.
And he is soooo damn attractive, Sage.
Dad, you would’ve probably interrogated him, but once you got to know him, you would’ve understood why . . . I love him.
God. I love him.
My sight blurs with unshed tears as I realize how I feel about Levi.
But he’s made it pretty clear we’re only friends.
I look at Mom’s grave.
What do I do? Do I keep my emotions a secret from him and appreciate that I have him as a friend?
Sage would’ve told me to open up to Levi. To take a chance.
That’s easier said than done, Sage.
I let out a huff of air.
Levi is so patient and caring. He makes me feel safe. He listens when I talk and understands when I’m quiet.
The corner of my mouth lifts as I think about the man who’s stolen my heart.
He hates when anyone else touches him, but he hugs me and even presses kisses to my hair. I gave him a small birthday party, and he kissed me on the cheek.
I roll my eyes.
I can’t tell you how many times I thought he was going to kiss me on the lips, but then it didn’t happen.
I spend the icy morning talking to my family, and by the time I climb to my feet, I know there’s only one thing for me to do.
If I don’t tell Levi how I feel, I might miss out on my only chance at happiness.
And, God, have I been happy the past few weeks.
I press a kiss to the tips of my gloved fingers and blow it to my family before I leave.
When I near the street we used to live on, I turn up it and walk down to the cul-de-sac. As I reach the path that leads to my family home, I glance at the front yard and notice how neat it is.