Page 44 of Forever Love-Reimagined

Blondie laughed so loud she snorted.

“You’re not a stranger.” Leia’s smooth voice brought my attention back to her.

“No.” I shook my head. “And I’ve been wanting you for what seems like forever. I’m so sorry to jump you like that.”

“Please, don’t apologize. That was some greeting, and I’ll burn it into my mind like the rest of you.” Her eyes roamed my body, exposing me, but in the best way.

“Well, since I’m your 2:00, I was wondering if we could go someplace more private to talk instead? I have an idea of who you are from my dreams, but I’d like to learn about this you. Would that be okay? I promise to keep my hands to myself.” I smirked but hoped she wouldn’t hold me to that.

Her eyes never left me. “Of course we can get out of here. Do you want to grab a drink or something? I think if we go to a private place, it won’t be your promise I’ll have to worry about.”

She was right. There was no way we would get any talking done if we were alone.

“Lead the way. I’ll follow you anywhere.” And I meant that.

Now that I had her and gotten a taste, there was no way I was ever letting go.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Leia - Friday

“Haley, we’re going to Double Shift. There isn’t anything else scheduled for today, right?”

“Nope, boss. You two go and get acquainted,” she said in a suggestive but excited tone as she bounced up and down on her feet with her hands covering her mouth.

I was happy she didn’t have a phone in her hand recording anything. However, that was some meeting, and it definitely would have blown up the internet.

“Thanks. You can close up early if you like.” I winked at her.

“Okay. I might do that unless you’ll need something?” She eyed Blake for a second, and I wasn’t sure what she was getting at.

“I’m good.”

Haley then turned to Blake. “She’s special, and if you hurt her, I promise it’ll be the last thing you do,” she said in a half-protective, half-joking way that made me want to roll my eyes but at the same time hug her.

“I have no intention of doing anything like that. You have no idea how much I’ve been waiting for this.” Blake was staring right at me as she responded to Haley’s semi-threat.

“Are you ready then?” In a completely natural way, I reached for her hand, and we interlocked our fingers.

My heart took off at a sprint from that small, intimate gesture, and I was sure anyone could’ve seen it pounding under my shirt. I wanted to know everything about her but was too stunned to speak as we walked to the bar. Nothing in this world could describe my emotions when I was with her. I had no idea I could feel this way while I was awake, and I craved for this moment to last forever.

We strolled into Double Shift and took a seat. I wasn’t sure if we were getting drinks or not, so I glanced over at Blake, who was already staring at me.

“What?” I cocked a questioning brow.

“Nothing.” She reached up, running her thumb along my jaw and then over my lips. I wanted so badly to suck it into my mouth but found the inner strength not to. Then she drifted to my tattoo and traced the outline. “Tell me about this. I saw it in my dreams and wondered if it was something special.”

I loved the touch of her skin on mine. She caused a ripple of excitement to course through me.

“I got it a few weeks ago. This voice kept calling—trovami, which means find me. It was the first time I heard it, so I googled its meaning. But once I read the definition, it seemed like it was you calling out to me, and I was compelled to answer. This was the first time I believed I was missing something—or someone. And I hoped this would show you that I was trying to find you.”

She licked her lips. “My God.” She exhaled a deep breath. “I can’t believe we’re here and not in a dream.”

“That makes two of us. I think it was destiny when we first met, but the dreams are what kept us together.”

She shook her head incredulously. “What do you mean? We’ve never met, not in this life. I would’ve remembered you.” Her intense gaze locked on me.

“We didn’t have a proper introduction, and I didn’t get a clear look at you, either. But that day, when the bike messenger drove through the sidewalk, I was the one who kept you from falling.”

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