Page 3 of Breath By Breath

“You and me, we’re going to do great things.” His voice is husky, and his gaze is intense, as if the words he speaks are some unwritten rule.

“I’m not having sex with you,” I blurt. I’m embarrassed, but he might as well know his efforts are wasted. I’m not that kind of girl, no matter how hot he is or how many butterflies he causes to flutter inside me.

He smiles at my outburst. “Do you believe in magic, Lena?”

I have whiplash from this guy. “When I was a kid, maybe.” I shrug. How did we go from talking about sex to magic? My head is spinning as I try to decipher this moment with him.

“Yeah,” he agrees. “I didn’t used to believe in it either.”

“What changed your mind?” I find myself asking. For some strange reason, I need to understand why he’s suddenly spouting about magic and how he suddenly believes. What am I missing?

He lifts his hand, which isn’t holding mine, and presses it against my cheek. His eyes bore into mine. “You.”

CHAPTER

TWO

Stanley

I don’t think I’ve ever felt skin this soft. My Lena, my magic, stands still as I rest my hand against her cheek. All these years, I swore my dad was just talking shit, but he was right. It happened in an instant. Gramps says it took longer for him, but for me, as soon as she turned around, I could feel it in my soul.

Feel her.

If my buddies could hear me now, they’d give me shit, of that I’m certain. They’re all about sleeping around and playing the field. I’m not into playing games with someone’s heart, and definitely not with hers.

“Me?” she whispers. Her eyes are wide, and I can see the confusion in their blue depths.

All I can do is smile at her. I can’t explain it, because, in truth, I don’t really understand it myself. All I know is that my dad and my gramps both said I would know when I’ve found my magic. That’s this moment, standing here with the beautiful Lena.

She’s my magic.

“Come on. I’ll show you around.” I drop my hand from her cheek, instantly missing the feel of her soft skin. “Can I see your schedule?”

Her hands have a slight tremble when she hands it to me. I want to tell her that I’m not crazy. I know what she’s thinking. For the last eighteen years, I’ve thought the same thing. The men in my family were crazy, talking about magic all the time. Each time, my mom and my grams would just smile and nod, accepting their crazy stories of love. I thought they were just indulging them, but now I know better.

Pushing thoughts of my family out of my mind, I focus on my girl’s schedule. “You have all but one class with me.” I smile up at her. “This way.” I keep her hand in mine. PDA warnings from teachers be damned as I lead us down the hall to where I was before I volunteered to take Abigail’s place this morning. “This is study hall. We’re in there together.”

“Okay.” Her reply is soft, but the look on her face tells me she’s concentrating. She has a determined look about her, and I’m sure she’s processing and memorizing where she’s supposed to go each day.

“Hey.” I give her hand a gentle squeeze. “I’ll be here to guide you. Every class, I’ll make sure you get to where you need to go.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

I wonder if her lips are as soft as they look. “I want to. Come on, let’s go through the rest of your schedule.”

“The only class we don’t have together is the last one. You’re in Home Economics, and I’m in shop class. I’ll walk you, and they’re in the same hall, so I’ll be waiting for you when class is over. Did you drive?”

“I drove.”

“Good. We won’t have to rush to get you to your bus.”

“You really don’t have to walk me to all of my classes,” she says. “I appreciate you showing me around. I should be okay.” She seems flustered and a little confused at my announcement.

“Oh, I’m walking you. Not just today but for the rest of the year. What kind of boyfriend would I be if I didn’t?”

“Boyfriend?” Her eyes grow wide, and her mouth hangs open in shock.

“Well, not yet, technically. I need to ask you, and you need to make me work for it. Nothing worth having comes easy. That’s what my dad always says. Besides, I need to prove to you that the magic is real. All I ask is that you let me. That you don’t entertain seeing anyone else until I’ve had my chance to do that?” She seems to freeze at my admission. Her gaze is distant before she brings it back to me.

---