way to say it nicely. "Yeah, I don't think this is a good idea. What if she hates me?"
Graham's head flinches back slightly. "How could she hate you? You're amazing."
I open and close my mouth, trying to find the right words. He doesn't get it. The idea of losing this awesome new friendship just as it's getting started hurts more than the thought of never experiencing that kiss. I'd sacrifice a lifetime of kisses to gain a genuine friend. It's all I want.
"Graham, I won't come between the two of you. I still want to be friends, but if your girlfriend doesn't like me, this friendship has to end."
I thought Graham would feel torn, guilty, or maybe even confident enough in his relationship with Lori to convince me to meet her. I wasn't ready for him to bend at the waist, hands resting on his thighs for support while he belted out more uncontrollable laughter.
"Wrong reaction. I'm out of here. Have fun breaking her heart, but it won't be with me."
CHAPTER 13
I move to stride away , but long, strong fingers wrap around my wrist and pull me back.
"Relax, Kienna. I'm not breaking anybody's heart, but you really should meet Lori." Gently, he lifts my chin with his fingers until my eyes meet his, searching my eyes. I smash my lips together into a tight line. "Trust me, Lori won't be jealous, and I want you to meet her. Please?" He sticks his bottom lip out in an adorable pout, unfazed by my frustration. I don't know how he does it, but he chips away at my walls and breaks through my rage.
"Okay, FINE! You win, but if she goes batshit on me, I'm suing your nerdy ass. Comic books, collectible figurines, director's cut movies and all."
We walk silently through the park. Graham leads me to a bench near one of the paved paths on the South end, and sits, his arm draped across the backrest. He radiates calm as if he doesn't have a care in the world.
"She should be here any minute." Graham checks his watch and glances at all the entrances, making sure he hasn't missed her.
I'm fidgeting, sitting on the edge of my seat, as far away from him as possible, knees bouncing up and down, biting my nails. I don't want this to look bad when Lori gets here. My reputation alone should be enough for her to claw my eyes out. I won't cuddle up to her man in the middle of a public park, giving her every reason to hate me on sight. The leaves around us have changed color, but haven't fallen to the ground yet, creating a wonderful multicolored canopy above our heads. It's snuggly sweater weather at its best.
"You're nervous, aren't you?" Graham wears an irresistible teasing look and places his other hand on my knees to stop them from bouncing so much. My legs twitch, shirking spastically away from his touch.
"You need to stop putting your hands on me. Lori could show up at any moment and freak the hell out like she did on the phone."
Graham dismisses my comment and gives my shoulders a quick squeeze, causing me to cringe. I squirm, twisting until he finally removes his hands from my shoulders. His eyes look past me, and his face lights up with excited anticipation.
"She's here." He leaps from his seat, surprising me, and I want to upchuck my lunch in the bushes.
Two women walk toward us, both of them waving at Graham. The first is an attractive blond with soft features and a clean-cut, preppy look in her navy wool coat and classic knee-high boots. The second woman, an equally good-looking brunette, has an edgier look with her black biker jacket, combat boots, and multiple facial piercings. I wonder which one of the two is Lori. I'm betting on the blond.
Suddenly, a little girl shoves between the two women, her face lit by a megawatt, ear-to-ear smile. She starts to run, her backpack bouncing up and down with every step. Graham squats down baseball catcher style, and she launches herself into his arms. He stands up tall and flips her upside down, holding her ankles above her tiny, bubblegum pink chucks.
"Look what I found! Crab Legs!" He
Graham's head flinches back slightly. "How could she hate you? You're amazing."
I open and close my mouth, trying to find the right words. He doesn't get it. The idea of losing this awesome new friendship just as it's getting started hurts more than the thought of never experiencing that kiss. I'd sacrifice a lifetime of kisses to gain a genuine friend. It's all I want.
"Graham, I won't come between the two of you. I still want to be friends, but if your girlfriend doesn't like me, this friendship has to end."
I thought Graham would feel torn, guilty, or maybe even confident enough in his relationship with Lori to convince me to meet her. I wasn't ready for him to bend at the waist, hands resting on his thighs for support while he belted out more uncontrollable laughter.
"Wrong reaction. I'm out of here. Have fun breaking her heart, but it won't be with me."
CHAPTER 13
I move to stride away , but long, strong fingers wrap around my wrist and pull me back.
"Relax, Kienna. I'm not breaking anybody's heart, but you really should meet Lori." Gently, he lifts my chin with his fingers until my eyes meet his, searching my eyes. I smash my lips together into a tight line. "Trust me, Lori won't be jealous, and I want you to meet her. Please?" He sticks his bottom lip out in an adorable pout, unfazed by my frustration. I don't know how he does it, but he chips away at my walls and breaks through my rage.
"Okay, FINE! You win, but if she goes batshit on me, I'm suing your nerdy ass. Comic books, collectible figurines, director's cut movies and all."
We walk silently through the park. Graham leads me to a bench near one of the paved paths on the South end, and sits, his arm draped across the backrest. He radiates calm as if he doesn't have a care in the world.
"She should be here any minute." Graham checks his watch and glances at all the entrances, making sure he hasn't missed her.
I'm fidgeting, sitting on the edge of my seat, as far away from him as possible, knees bouncing up and down, biting my nails. I don't want this to look bad when Lori gets here. My reputation alone should be enough for her to claw my eyes out. I won't cuddle up to her man in the middle of a public park, giving her every reason to hate me on sight. The leaves around us have changed color, but haven't fallen to the ground yet, creating a wonderful multicolored canopy above our heads. It's snuggly sweater weather at its best.
"You're nervous, aren't you?" Graham wears an irresistible teasing look and places his other hand on my knees to stop them from bouncing so much. My legs twitch, shirking spastically away from his touch.
"You need to stop putting your hands on me. Lori could show up at any moment and freak the hell out like she did on the phone."
Graham dismisses my comment and gives my shoulders a quick squeeze, causing me to cringe. I squirm, twisting until he finally removes his hands from my shoulders. His eyes look past me, and his face lights up with excited anticipation.
"She's here." He leaps from his seat, surprising me, and I want to upchuck my lunch in the bushes.
Two women walk toward us, both of them waving at Graham. The first is an attractive blond with soft features and a clean-cut, preppy look in her navy wool coat and classic knee-high boots. The second woman, an equally good-looking brunette, has an edgier look with her black biker jacket, combat boots, and multiple facial piercings. I wonder which one of the two is Lori. I'm betting on the blond.
Suddenly, a little girl shoves between the two women, her face lit by a megawatt, ear-to-ear smile. She starts to run, her backpack bouncing up and down with every step. Graham squats down baseball catcher style, and she launches herself into his arms. He stands up tall and flips her upside down, holding her ankles above her tiny, bubblegum pink chucks.
"Look what I found! Crab Legs!" He
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