Page 66 of The Perfect Love

“You’re going to turn into a popsicle,” I mumble against Chelsea’s lips.

Her hands are frigid as I wrap my hands around hers.

“I didn’t think it would be this cold in September.”

She moves closer, making no effort to stop kissing me as we stand on the front porch of her apartment building.

But then a chill rolls through her, and I break our kiss.

“Babe…”

She pouts in the most adorable way, but then her gaze shifts to the door.

As much as I’d love to go inside with her to do something as simple as relax on the couch together, this is all about what she’s ready for. I don’t want her to feel pressured or rushed. She rushed herself the first night we met, and it took a toll on her. I don’t want that to happen again. I take her hesitance into consideration with everything we do, and if she’s not one hundred percent sure, then I’ll be the one to put a stop to it.

“I, um…”

I lean in and kiss her cheek. “It’s fine. When you’re ready to ask me in, you’ll know.”

She stares at me for a moment, then she sighs and looks down.

I lift her chin and give her another soft kiss. “Now, get your sexy butt inside before it freezes off.”

Again she pouts, but slowly slips her hand from mine. “See you Monday?”

“Of course. Can’t wait for our lunch date.”

“Good,” she whispers, then with a lingering look, she walks inside.

I watch until she’s out of sight, then turn and head for my car, hoping one day soon she’ll be ready to hold the door open for me to follow her.

10

I’ll Take A Bear

Chelsea

Friday mornings at Promiseare quickly becoming one of my favorite things. It’s quiet to start, and I’m getting to know the team better, but as things pick up throughout the day, I get to shadow the counselors and even the nurse practitioner. Kristen says spending time with the nurse practitioner helps understand a different side of helping women after sexual assault.

I’m in the midst of working on some potential campus outreach options when the locked front door buzzes, then the interior glass door swings open, and Rae flies into the room like the devil’s on her heels.

“Hey,” I say with a laugh.

She sighs heavily. “Hi. I got stuck behind someone going thirty the entire way here. My soul temporarily left my body while I rage-screamed behind the wheel. But it’s fine. I’m fine.”

“You seem it.”

She sets her purse on the counter and sighs. “Everything’s crazy right now. But that reminds me, I have something for you.” She fishes through her bag until she finds what she’s looking for, then hands me a creamy pink envelope.

I pull it open to find an invitation to her wedding. October twenty-third. Only a month-and-a-half away.

“What—you didn’t have to put one together for me.”

She shrugs. “We haven’t known each other that long, but I consider you a friend and I’d love to have you at the wedding, regardless if you go with Trevor or not.”

“I’d love to come. But I thought when we talked about your bachelorette party earlier this week that you knew I’d be coming to the wedding too.”

“I wanted you to know it wasn’t something I just threw out there. I really want you there.”

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