Read Online Wanderlust by Roni Loren - Free Book Online Page A

some time apart. I mean, we’d been together since . . .”
    “Since high school,” she supplied.
    “I was going to say since the accident.”
    She dropped into the armchair opposite him with a resigned sigh. “This is all ancient history. Why are you here?”
    He stood and took two steps to reach her then knelt down. “I’ve missed you, Aubs.”
    A stabbing pain shot through her gut, twisting everything inside. How many times had she imagined this conversation? Imagined him crawling back in regret? She kept her expression blank. No way would she show him her hurt. “It’s been five years.”
    “I know, but I’m moving back. I got what I needed in Florida, but I want to be home now. And I know you’re not dating anyone. Your mom was more than happy to supply that tidbit.”
    She smirked. Her mother had always thought Grayson hung the freaking moon. Aubrey had heard many a lecture on how she should have done more to hold on to him. She closed her eyes and took a breath. “Please tell me you don’t think you can just waltz in here after five years and pick up where we left off. All that Florida sun must’ve fried your brain. A lot has changed.”
    “Of course I don’t expect that. I know I hurt you with how I left, but we were kids. Neither of us was ready for something serious back then. But now that I’m back, I thought maybe we could start fresh.” He took her hands in his and rubbed his thumbs over her knuckles. His hazel eyes sparkled in the sunlight that streamed in from the window behind her. The picture of sincerity. “I know things have changed. For one thing, you’re even more beautiful than I remember.”
    “Seriously. Stop.” She extracted her hands from his grasp and stood, fighting that old urge that used to make her preen under any attention Gray gave her.
    He followed suit. “I’m sorry. I’ll be good. It’s just I’ve missed you and couldn’t wait another minute to stop by and see you. We can take things at whatever pace you want. Be friends. How about we start with going to your dad’s event tonight? That’s really why I was stopping by.”
    He smiled his charming smile. Damn that smile. It still softened her in a way she couldn’t control. For a moment, she caught a glimpse of the boy who had been her first love, the boy who had helped her through the most difficult time in her life. She relaxed her shoulders, too tired to fight with him right now. She’d had her guard up for two days straight hanging around Lex. She didn’t have the energy this morning.
    And whether she would or could give Gray another chance wasn’t something she wanted to tackle right now. But they were both going to the event anyway, so what did it matter if they went in the same car? “Fine, we can talk more tonight. Pick me up at seven. I have a work thing I have to take care of before that.”
    “Great.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek. “It’s a date.”
    A date. With Gray. Her mind didn’t even know how to process that. She glanced down at her robe, searching for an excuse to push her confusing thoughts and emotions right out the door with him. “I hate to be rude, but I really need to get ready.”
    He raised his hands. “Say no more. I have to go meet with your dad anyway. He’s hired me for a position on his staff.”
    Aubrey groaned. “Seriously?”
    “Yep, so get used to seeing me around.” He grinned, gave her another quick kiss on the cheek, and slipped out the front door.
    Aubrey sank onto the couch and ran her hands over her face. She shouldn’t be expected to handle this before coffee, right? Maybe that’s why her brain was so scrambled. The guy she’d pined over for the last five years had offered himself to her on a silver platter. Why did she feel so nauseous? This should be good news, right?
    There was another tap on the door.
    “God, give me a second to breathe, would you?” She reluctantly dragged her butt off the couch, not wanting to face another