Read Online Circle the Soul Softly by Davida Wills Hurwin - Free Book Online Page A

the floor if you want me to, but I’d actually rather hold you. All right?”
    Stupid Kate blinks but doesn’t speak.
    â€œNot because I don’t want to be with you. I just don’t think it’s time yet.” He smiles.“I mean, I’m perfectly willing to change my mind if you want me to. Do you?” He kisses me on the forehead. Fog has cleared completely.

TWENTY
    Right. Sleep. When the guy you are definitely falling in love with is right there, in bed next to you? Yes, and I can move objects with my mind, too.
    I turn on my side and watch him sleep. When his mouth drops open and he starts to snore, I morph to Silly Child at Sleepover; I cannot stop giggling. He doesn’t budge. I tickle his nose to see what he’ll do. He snorts a bit and turns over, then farts—a little tiny one. I’m giddy trying not to laugh out loud. When I finally get myself under control, I settle in, back to back, loving how the bulk of him makes me feel safe. There won’t be bad dreams tonight.
    I’m not aware of dropping off to sleep—the next thing I know, sunlight’s streaming in through the blinds.
    I wake first and nuzzle up close; David turns away and pulls the covers over his head. I snuggle again—he snarls. I say, “Good morning,” he mumbles something nasty, sits up, and scratches himself. I go to the bathroom to get dressed and come out prepared to ignore him. Except he’s standing in the middle of the room like a little lost boy—with the front of his boxers sticking straight out. I can’t help laughing! He grunts as he slams the bathroom door.
    We spend the week doing everything tourists are supposed to. We see Alcatraz. We walk over the Golden Gate Bridge and go down into Sausalito. We explore Stanford University, where David’s dad went to school. We have dinner at the Top of the Mark. We drive up the coast, all the way to Point Reyes. I call my mom every night and start to catch on to how easy it is to fool a parent.
    We start our last day in the Haight-Ashbury for breakfast, trek over to the zoo to ride the merry-go-round, and then rent a rowboat in Golden Gate Park. We end up that night on the San Francisco Beach, huddling for warmth and watching the frothy surf pound on the sand. I cannot ever, in my entire life, remember having this much fun. Back at the house Michael orders dinner for all of us, and before we know it, David and I are alone in our little room.
    â€œThis is where I wish I had a script.”
    My insides turn to water—his tone leaves little doubt about his intentions. I smile the Stupid Kate smile because I know he’s trying to figure out how to end this relationship. What perfect timing—we’re packing, it’s our last night in San Francisco, and I’m riding home tomorrow with Michael.
    â€œI love you, Katie.”
    I stare. I blink. And need I mention? Smile.
    â€œUm …your line?” he says with an impish grin.
    Guess what.
    â€œKatie? You probably need to say something .”
    â€œUm, yeah…. Wow.”
    â€œOkay, if you could be just a little more specific? Do you mean ‘wow-what-an-asshole’ or ‘wow-I-love-you-too’?”
    â€œThe second one.”
    â€œYeah?”
    â€œYeah.”
    He kisses me. I can almost not stand it.
    â€œI love you.”
He says it again.
    â€œI love you, too.” I blush at the words. My thoughts zip about like guppies, but one stands out—I need to be here now, completely. I need this experience to be mine, no fog, no mush. David puts a hand on each side of my face.
    â€œYou are so pretty.”
    This is absolutely the most perfect thing that could happen. We manage not to trip over my shoes as we somehow get to the bed, lips locked the whole way. He runs his hand up my arm and over my breast so lightly I barely—and yet completely —feel it. He doesn’t linger there but puts one hand behind me and