Read Online Magnolia Blossoms by Rhonda Dennis - Free Book Online

you took a liking to her. We all have that one special patient who stays near and dear to us. Bless her heart. You take care, now.” She pats my shoulder. None of that bothers me until she goes on tiptoe and steals a kiss from Jace. Well, I guess it’s not technically stealing since he very obviously returns the sign of affection. I look down at my splinted finger, fighting the urge to cry.
    Why do I feel this way about a man I barely even know? Maybe it’s because he’s the only man who has ever acknowledged my existence, to pay attention to me, to talk to me, not at me? Whatever it is, seeing him in the arms of another woman hurts me to my core, but I chastise myself for thinking this way. There is no way in hell a man like Jace would ever in a million years want to be with a screw-up like me. The only way he’ll ever be mine is in my dreams, and the sooner I accept that fact, the less it will hurt.
    I manage to thank Dahlia before we leave the urgent care clinic, and she gives me a big hug in return. I’m not sure if I like her or hate her at this point. Jace drives me home, and despite my insistence, he remains parked in the driveway, his headlights concentrated on me, as I walk up the steps to my apartment. One together, two together… Shit! I miss a step, but catch myself before I take a tumble. He’s at my side in no time.
    “I’m fine. Really. It was just a missed step. That’s why I always keep a death grip on the rail. See? I caught myself. You can leave now. I’m fine.” That’s what I say out loud. Inside my mind is screaming, Leave! Leave now! I can’t remember if I picked up my naughty stuff! No one ever visits my apartment, so I leave private things lying about. Not to mention trying to explain my boob wall to someone. Geez! If I see a pair that I like, I cut them out of magazines, or print pictures of them, and pin them to my wall in the hopes that one day I’ll be rich and brave enough to afford a pair for myself.
    He insists on seeing me inside, and despite my protests, he won’t leave. FUCK! I slowly open the door to the apartment, and as is true with human nature, he casually glances around. His eyes instantly settle on my boob wall, and I will the floor to swallow me. Beet red, I look anywhere but at him. In doing so, I notice a porn disc sitting on top of my DVD player, a bullet vibrator and some oil on my nightstand, and the arm of the blowup doll I use to practice kissing skills sticking out from under my bed.
    What can one say after such a find? That’s why it doesn’t upset me in the least when Jace turns on his heel, offers a half-assed wave, and disappears into the darkness. If I ever see him again, it will be too soon. There’s simply no coming back from what has just happened to me.
    Just because I don’t want to see him in the flesh anymore, doesn’t mean I want him gone from my life. The scent of his cologne still hangs in the air, and if I close my eyes, it’s almost as if he is with me. I can easily picture the sight of him. I pull off my skirt and turtleneck and slip under the covers. I pull Mr. Loverboy, the blowup doll, from under my bed, gently tucking him in next to me. I rest my head on his shoulder, and eventually, I’m back on the beach with Jace.
    When I awaken the next morning, curled in the arms of the blowup doll, the realization hits that I desperately need a man. A real man. If I can land a companion, then I won’t need to become a serial killer to gain attention.
    I’m happy when that thought crosses my mind, since it’s pretty damned obvious that I’m not cut out to be a murderer. So, how do I get a man? I have no girlfriends to ask. Dahlia said I could see her if I had any problems, but I don’t think that urgency to lose your virginity is what she implied with that statement. Not to mention the fact that Jace has probably told her all about my stash. I need a better plan. Who knows the most about landing a man?
    After a few minutes of mulling it