Read Online Across the Creek by Jeremy Asher - Free Book Online Page A

wiped his mouth with a napkin.
    “I actually left work early today because I wasn’t feeling well,” she said. “I took a nap and ended up sleeping longer than I thought I would.”
    “You didn’t have to come tonight.”
    She turned her gaze toward Robbie. He noticed an unusual seriousness in her eyes, as if she could cry at any moment. “We’ve been dating for a few months now.” She paused. “And it’s been great.”
    “It has,” he agreed.
    “What I said earlier. When I first showed up tonight. I didn’t want you to feel like—”
    “Wait,” he said, interrupting her. “There’s actually something that I’ve been wanting to tell you for a few days now. Something that I’ve never told another woman. Aside from my mother and my aunt, of course.” Robbie took Felicia’s hand in his. Her warm and delicate fingers fit perfectly in his large calloused hands. His heart pounded harder at the thought of putting a ring on her finger someday. “Felicia, I love you.” As he said it, the weight seemed to lift from her shoulders.
    Felicia’s eyes lit up. “Robbie, there’s something I need to tell you.”
    “What’s that?” he asked, wanting so badly to hear the sound of her voice when she said those three words again.
    She straightened in her seat. Tears welled in her bright green eyes. “I’m pregnant.”
    And just like that, with two simple words, the weight of the world took its place back on Robbie’s shoulders.

 
Chapter 8
    Jesse
    Jesse’s little red S10 truck came to a squeaking halt across the street from Sarah’s apartment. He sat for a few minutes staring at the shadowy figures that crossed back and forth in the windows on the second floor. Sarah’s floor. His shaking hands reminded him of his senior prom. Poor Tina Mincy. Her brand new prom dress had a bright red stain from where Jesse had accidentally spilled his fruit punch on her.
    Get it together , he told himself. It’s just a surprise birthday party . For Sarah’s fiancé . A concept he still hadn’t gotten used to. It gnawed at the back of his brain like the elusive answer to a trivia question.
    Jesse popped a piece of gum into his mouth and got out of his truck. “Here goes nothing.”
    The sun’s fading light cast shadows across the apartment building’s weathered stone, giving it a classic look. Although the buildings looked two hundred years old, they appeared to be well maintained with updated light fixtures and nicely groomed landscaping.
    Jesse pulled out the note that Sarah had given him and double checked the address. Then he moved forward, climbing the two flights of stairs leading to Sarah’s apartment. Each step brought more butterflies until they tickled the walls of his stomach.
    He wrapped his fingers around the large brass knocker that hung from her door and paused. It’s just a party . One hour, two tops, and he could leave. But the tornado of butterflies within his stomach weren’t convinced. He drew in a deep breath and knocked twice.
    The door opened a few inches and Sarah’s crystal blue eyes peeked out. She gave him a quick smile before opening the door the rest of the way. “It’s okay,” she shouted over her shoulder. “It’s not Kevin.” A cluster of people hiding behind furniture and the open-style kitchen counter stood up and let out a huge sigh of frustration.
    “Come inside,” Sarah said, waving him in.
    She looked stunning. Her hair cascaded down her shoulders, spilling over a silky white tank that clung tightly to her body. As Jesse followed her to the kitchen, it took a lot of effort not to stare at the shapely legs her jean skirt failed to conceal.
    He felt dozens of eyes staring at him, like he was the new kid in class. Sarah led him through the living room, introducing him to people as they passed by. Her introductions were quick, not lingering long enough for them to know more than Jesse’s name, leaving him to believe that most of the people there were probably Kevin’s