Read Online Finding Home by Aine Kelley - Free Book Online

lucky to have amazing parents. Mine used to be, but they changed. It’s like having money made them different people. People I can’t relate to.” She looks out the car window as if deep in thought.
    “I’m sorry.” It’s a lame thing to say, but I can’t think of anything else.
    “Don’t be. It wasn’t always bad. I have some great memories from my earlier years. In fact, some of my best memories are of our family trips to the lake.” A faint smile appears on her face. “We haven’t done anything fun in a long time.”
    Noticing her change in mood, I decide it might be best to change the subject. “So did you leave your boyfriend alone and heartbroken in Boston?” Her eyes go wide and then her forehead scrunches tightly again for a brief moment. Shit, I’m oh-for-two . My mind tries to think of something else to say. I don’t get a chance to. She fills the gap.
    “So you really want to know about the love life of Samantha Cole?”
    “Sure, lay it on me. It can’t be any worse when comparing it to mine.” Did I just make light of Beth’s death? What’s wrong with me? No wonder she’s looking at you like an inconsiderate asshole! “That did not come out the right way. Sorry. What I meant is … I don’t know, never mind.” I look at her briefly and shrug my shoulders.
    “It’s fine.” She briefly touches my shoulder, and her warmth sears my body in a good way. She sucks in a deep breath and speaks, “So basically, in a nutshell, I suck at relationships. I’ve had three boyfriends, and each one has cheated on me. Each and every one of them.”
    I watch her place one hand on her neck and run it down to her chest, stopping at her heart. Using her fingers as a counter she sucks in again.
    “I’ve been told that I’m not good enough. I apparently don’t know how to love and be loved. And the final blow to my ego … I’m not satisfying enough. I could add more, but I’m sure you get the picture.” I look over at her and swear I can see a small tear that she quickly wipes away.
    God, she’s beautiful. How any man could say those things to her is beyond me. I want to say something to help her feel better, but I barely know her. I just go with my gut. “I know that I don’t know you, but it sounds to me like you dated some real assholes.” I pause and look at her so she’ll know what I’m saying is true. “From our brief conversations on the phone and talking with my sister, I don’t get that impression of you at all. I think you would be more than enough.” She looks at me with amazement, and I can see a slight blush spread across her cheeks.
    “Wow, thanks Ben, that’s one of the nicest things any man has ever said to me.”
    “Then you’re hanging around the wrong men.” I smile at her, and it’s a genuine smile. It’s the kind that I haven’t been able to give in a really long time. And she smiles a beaming one right back at me. I’m hooked.
    Sam continues, “So, like I was saying. My past relationships have all sucked ass, and I have set a new course for my life, a new life plan so to speak.”
    “Life plan? Like rules?”
    “Yep. I have set a course for positive change in my life. Would you like me to tell you?”
    Clearing my throat, I adjust my posture in my seat. “This should be interesting. Of course I want to know.” She winks at me, and I love it.
    “Okay. Here you go. Basically, I keep my heart safe by not allowing just anyone in. I’m focusing on me and making the best choices. Sex and love complicate things, so I’ve taken a break from them.”
    My face has to show my agitation. I mean, she’s basically telling me I have no chance. “That plan or rule sounds pretty harsh, don’t you think?”
    “It may seem harsh, but it’s helped me survive this past year, so I’m pretty content with it.”
    Running my hands back and forth in my hair, I try to grasp what she said. “So you’ve followed this plan for over a year?”
    Her eyes go wide as if she can