Read Online One Day at a Time (Starting Over Series Book 4) by Evan Grace - Free Book Online Page A

her brother would be home. The ride back to her apartment was peaceful, but too short. When he pulled up in front of her building, he followed her off of the bike and unbuckled her helmet. He pulled her to him, kissing her slowly and thoroughly. Her arms snaked up his chest to wrap around his neck. They stayed like that for a long time, but he finally pulled away.
    “I’ll call you later,” he whispered against her lips.
    She watched him get on his bike, waving as he pulled out. She stood out there until she could no longer hear the sound of his bike. Making her way up the stairs, she heard loud laughter and Josie’s squealing. Opening the door, she found the two chuckleheads playing Wii tennis.
    “Aunt Tessy, I’m kicking Dad’s butt at tennis!” She pumped her fist in the air.
    “I’m letting you win, weasel.”
    They argued back and forth while she went into the kitchen to decide what to prepare for dinner. She felt her brother enter before he spoke. She knew it was coming, but she was glad to get it over with now.
    “So that’s the boyfriend?”
    “Yep, that’s him. I don’t know if I’d call him my boyfriend. We haven’t really put a label on it.”
    “Well, he seems nice enough. He’s definitely got a lot of tattoos. Is he careful with you on that motorcycle?”
    Leaning against the counter, she looked at her brother in disbelief. “Really, Jonathon? Yes, he has a lot of tattoos, and yes, he is very careful with me on his bike. He’s invited me to meet his sister and family next weekend. Maybe we could have him over for dinner one night this week when you don’t have to work.”
    “Sure, it’d be nice to get to know him a little better. Make sure he’s good enough for my baby sister.”
    “Maybe I’m not good enough for him.” She was a coward. She never tried to stop her dad from beating her. She just took it and never told anyone about it. Even Jonathon didn’t know how bad it had gotten toward the end. Most of her scars were faded and hardly noticeable, but she knew every spot on her back that bore the reminders of the abuse she endured at her father’s hand.
    Jonathon turned her roughly by her shoulders, causing her to jerk in his hold. “Don’t you ever say that. No man is ever going to be good enough for you. You are sweet, loyal, and beautiful, and the best goddamn role model my little girl could ever have. Every day I wish I could’ve gotten you away from him sooner, but I didn’t, and I’ve regretted that every day of my life. But you are so much stronger than you have ever given yourself credit for. Honey, I love you, and I want you to be happy. If Cash is someone who will make you happy, then I’m all for it, but I swear to god, if he hurts you, I will annihilate him.”
    A laugh slipped past her lips followed by a very unladylike snort. “I love you, Jonathon. Good job on the big brother speech.” Wrapping her arms around him, she gave him a squeeze. “Thank you.”
    He left her in the kitchen, and she proceeded to make dinner.
    Now she was dressing for work, and for the first time in her life she did it with a bright smile on her face and a spring in her step. Her brother and niece were already gone, so they didn’t see her dancing around like a goof. Once she was dressed and slipped on her shoes, there was a knock at the door.
    She looked through the peep-hole and smiled wildly when she saw Cash standing there. She unlocked the door and threw it open. “Hi! What are you doing here?”
    He didn’t say anything, just grabbed her and pulled her to him. She had about a second before his lips came down on hers. Hard. She grabbed his shirt for purchase and opened her mouth, boldly licking his lower lip. He groaned and opened his mouth, his tongue thrusting into her mouth to duel with hers. He tasted of coffee, cigarette, and mint, but instead of turning her off, it was turning her on. When he broke the kiss, she knew her lips were swollen—she could feel it, but loved