Page 17 of Sniper

I’m a single mother, broke, living in a one-bedroom apartment…and I’m-I’m dirty, I’m filth. Even with six months of counseling, I can’t get rid of that feeling or the thoughts.

The feeling of him inside me hits, and vomit wants to build.

Swallowing it down, I whisper, “Why?”

I’m nothing special. I spent a year being abused, mistreated, and dragged around before escaping. Why would anyone want me?

Christ, if my counselor, Emily, could hear my thoughts right now….

“Because the thought of never getting to see you again physically hurts,” he rasps, and I still. “Because as soon as we locked eyes, I knew you were supposed to be mine.” My eyes tear up at the confessions of this stranger, who I only just met because my daughter threw a milkshake in his face.

“I know what I’m saying is scary—” I snort, because…yeah. He chuckles, and I look his way, our eyes connecting. “I’m scared too, but I just…I’ve learned if you find someone who takes your breath away so hard that it feels like your lungs are robbed of air, then grab hold of them and never let them go. You gave me that feeling, and I don’t even know your name, so believe me, I know this is scary, but all I’m asking for is one chance, one date….”

I look back at Autumn. I can feel my heart race as I whisper, “I’m a single mom….”

He hums and states, “I’m fully aware. I got covered in milkshake, yet here I am, still wanting you….”

I snort because, yeah, it was still funny.

“I don’t even know your name,” I rasp as Autumn throws Mr. Bunny in the air, giggling.

“Theodore, my name is Theodore Taylor.”

I nod, replying, “Aurora Foster, and she is Autumn.” I look his way, and his eyes are on my daughter. A part of me wants to see what’s between us, which I know Emily would encourage, but I’m scared.

I still feel dirty; I still have nightmares, which are more memories than anything.

I’m broken, yet I still want him.

My body gravitates toward him like it’s more than lust at first sight. I’ve never believed in love at first sight, but if I did…. Could this be it?

Could he be my one….

Swallowing hard, I whisper, “My daughter always comes first….”

He looks my way and smiles slightly. “I wouldn’t expect it any other way.” Slowly he moves his arm to the back of the bench, his fingers going to the few pieces of hair that have fallen out of my messy bun. “All I’m asking for is one date. I’m not going to sit here and say I’ve been an angel, because I haven’t, and I never thought I’d settle down; I’ve never wanted to, and yet you crash into my life, with a little princess to boot, and suddenly…I want that. With you.”

My breath stutters. “I-I…I don’t think it’s?—”

He cuts me off, “It’s only one date. If you still feel like you don’t want me that way, that you don’t want to grow a relationship, a word, by the way, I never thought I’d use….” I grin at his confession, making him chuckle. “…then we’ll be friends, because everyone needs a friend.”

My eyes race between his just as Autumn giggles again, and I look at her to see she’s buried half of her stuffie.

“Just one date, Rory…” he whispers.

Rory…. No one had ever called me that before. I like it.

Can I do it?

It’s only one date, right?

But you’ve never been on a date, a voice whispers in my head, and my stomach tightens at the reminder. I had everything taken from me. I’ve never dated, never loved, never did the normal things young adults got to do….

“What do you say, Firecracker? Are you going to give me the date?” he asks, and I look at him.

I get sucked into his eyes again, the butterflies swarming my stomach.

It’s just one date, right? If I don’t like it, we can be friends, just like he says, because everyone needs a friend….

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