Read Online For All You Have Left by Laura Miller - Free Book Online Page A

time, try to keep myself from blushing as I force my eyes back to the television screen. We both watch the show on it for a little while longer then until his voice breaks my concentration.
    “Look,” he says, pointing at the TV. “What did I tell you?”
    On the screen, there’s one woman left standing in front of the judges, and her arms are covered in tattoos.
    My smile starts small and eventually stretches across my face. I’m starting to believe he might be on to something.
 
    ***
 
    “Thanks for letting me come over.”
    He’s standing on the other side of my door now, three steps from his own.
    “Pizza’s a lot better when it’s not so quiet,” he adds.
    I push out a laugh. “I agree.”
    And just then, he brings his face so close to mine that his lips are nearly touching my ear. My heart starts racing, and for the first time around h im, my stomach seems to do a somersault. It feels like butterflies, and it’s terrifying and a little sad, I think. But I can smell the soft, sweet scent of his cologne, and it seems to calm me somehow. I know I should be weirded out right now—I have no idea what he’s doing—but this feels good, and I can’t stop smiling this nervous, happy, strange smile.
    “They were re runs,” he whispers, his breaths trailing over my skin.
    I freeze as my mouth falls open and surprise quickly devours my face. “I didn’t believe you for one second,” I say, shaking my head.
    He shoots me a suspicious look . “Not one second?” he asks, backing slowly away from me.
    I try my hardest to scold him with my eyes, even though every other feature is betraying me.
    “Good-night, Miss Cross,” he says, sliding a key into his lock and pushing open his door.
    I lower my eyes and softly laugh to myself. “Good-night,” I say.

    Chapter Eleven
    The Photo
     
     
    “C oming,” I call out from across my apartment.
    I don’t even bother looking at the peep hole this time. I figure its either Hannah or possibly Jorgen. For all I know I left my keys in the door again. But when I pull open the door and look up, I freeze.
    “Amsel,” I manage to get out.
    I don’t know when I started calling him by his last name to his face. Somewhere along the line, it just kind of happened. I step back to let him inside.
    “I can’t stay long,” he immediately says, taking a step forward. “I really have to run. I just, um, found something I thought you might want.”
    He holds out a photograph.
    “You know I love you, Logan—Ada,” he quickly corrects.
    My heart stings in my chest. There are two hands in the photo, each wearing a ring.
    “I know,” I say, taking the photo and lowering my eyes to it.
    We stand there for a while. I don’t even know how much time passes. We’re both so still. My eyes are on the photo. His eyes are most likely on me, watching for my reaction. I try not to react—for his sake and mine.
    After a moment, he breaks the silence.
    “Well, I’ve got to go.”
    He reaches out and touches my hand.
    “Take care, Ada.”
    I look into his eyes. I love those eyes. I miss those eyes.
    “You sure you don’t want something to drink or anything?” I ask, as he takes a step back toward the door.
    “No, I’m sorry, I really am running late. I just found that yesterday and wanted you to have it.”
    I look down at the photo again and sigh. This is the first time I’ve ever seen it.
    “Okay,” I say, nodding my head. “Thank you,” I add.
    I follow him to the door, and when he opens it, Jorgen is just opening his door across the hall.
    I watch as Jorgen eyes Amsel up and down once, then steps outside and closes his door behind him. He waits there, facing us. He looks as if he’s not trying to make it obvious that he’s watching the two of us, but somehow, I know he is. Amsel too takes a good look at Jorgen. Then, he turns and glances at me.
    I try to conjure up a faint smile to let him know it’s okay.
    He glances back at Jorgen. There’s a look on Amsel’s