Read Online Love Is Blind by Claudia Lakestone - Free Book Online

charge of it about a week ago.  He assessed me and flat out told me there’s no way he can accept me as a participant.”
    “Oh wow, Chris…I’m really sorry.”  Suddenly I felt like an ass for being so self-absorbed.  Chris had more important things to think about than the status of our relationship.  Duh!
    But there was something off about the way Chris was delivering the news.  He didn’t seem disappointed in the least.  In fact, his voice was cheerful and there might have even been a little twinge of hopefulness in there. 
    “Don’t be sorry,” he said with a dismissive wave of his han d.  He paused.  At first I thought he was doing it for dramatic effect, just to be silly.  But then I realized his hands were shaking.  It was difficult to resist the urge to reach out and touch him, whispering soothing words while my fingers became entwined with his.
    Chris sat up straighter.  “The specialist told me about a colleague of his in Norway who’s developed some new techniques.  They have a cutting edge laser there that hasn’t even made it through the clinical trial phase in the United States yet.  But his colleague, Dr. Torje, has been treating patients for almost a year.  The specialist here forwarded my file to Dr. Torje and…”
    Chris took a deep, shuddering breath before continuing. 
    “This is new,” he said, rambling a bit.  “It’s brand new technology.  I shouldn’t get my hopes up because I’ve gotten my hopes up before and that’s never good but…Michelle,” he said, becoming unusually serious, “They told me there’s a good chance they can restore my vision.”
    I swallowed hard. 
    “I leave the day after tomorrow,” Chris said.
    “Wow, that’s fast…Norway, huh?”
    “Yeah, I know.  I’ll be there for about two weeks so the doc can monitor my progress and make sure everything is stable before sending me back home to heal.  I wish you could come with me.”
    That took me by surprise.  “Yeah well…community service isn’t optional,” I reminded him.
    He grinned.  “My girlfriend the felon!” he joked as our server brought us our cheesecake.  He dug in and then furrowed his brow and abruptly set his fork down.  “Was calling you my girlfriend just now a major faux pas?” he asked.  “I mean, I don’t even really know what to call you anymore…”
    “About that,” I said quietly, not wanting to detract from Chris’s good news.  “I haven’t quite been honest with you.  I mean, I haven’t lied , exactly,” I quickly clarified, “but there’s something about me that you should know.”
    He leaned forward, cheesecake forgotten.  “I’m listening.”
    I took a deep breath and then just blurted it out.  “I have a big birthmark on my face.”
    For a moment Chris didn’t’ seem to know whether I was joking or serious.  I saw a hint of a smile playing on his lips but then he quickly sup pressed it.  “Is that all?” he asked, reaching for his fork again. 
    “No, seriously,” I told him, wanting to impress upon him just how hideous it truly was.  “ It’s massive and red and ugly and no matter how much makeup I put on it I can’t ever completely hide it.”
    Chris shrugged.  “Okay,” he said agreeably.
    I stared at him.  “Okay?” I repeated.  “That’s it?  Look, Chris…maybe you think I’m being self-depreciating in the cutesy way that pretty girls fish for compliments.  But I can assure you I’m not fishing for compliments nor am I a pretty girl.”
    Chris still looked unconcerned.  “I know you’re not fishing for compliments,” he assured me.  “I mean, I’ll tell you you’re pretty if you want me to but coming from me,” he said, gesturing to his eyes, “It m ight not mean that much to you.  But I can vouch for you being drop dead gorgeous on the inside.”
    I raised an eyebrow , ignoring the compliment.  “Seriously, that’s what you have to say about it?”
    Through a mouthful of cheesecake,