Page 147 of Choosing You

“I just like those things. They make me happy.”

“Which makes me love you even more. The fact that the tiniest things make you happy is amazing to me. Most people need expensive cars or designer clothes to be happy. You just need pancakes. And snow.”

I scoot closer to him so our bodies are touching. “Okay. Forget the love thing. When were you first attracted to me?”

He laughs. “The first night you got here.”

I look up at him. “No way! I was all gross from being in the car all day.”

“Uh, no. You looked fucking hot, Jade. You had on those cut-off shorts showing off your tan, sexy legs. And then that skimpy white tank top that showed off your breasts, which are surprisingly large for someone your size. And your hair was in that messy but cute ponytail.” He kisses me. “I’m getting turned on just thinking about it.”

“You’re kidding, right? Because I was so embarrassed when you showed up next to Ryan’s car. And then when he made you help us, I could’ve killed him. I totally yelled at him for it. I told him I made a horrible impression because I looked so disgusting.”

“Well, you were wrong. You made a great impression. I couldn’t get that image of you out of my head. That’s why I was knocking on your door an hour later.”

I lie there, thinking back to the night I arrived at Moorhurst. All I wanted to do was run back home. Back to Frank and Ryan and everything that was familiar. It’s hard to believe how much has changed since then.

“Are we going for pancakes?” I ask, sitting up.

“See? Look how excited you get about pancakes.”

“Oh. I didn’t mean to.”

“No. I like it. I just told you I did.”

“It’s not so much about the pancakes, although I do love them. It’s more about us having a tradition that makes me so excited. It’s like every Sunday is a celebration. Almost like our own little holiday.”

Garret sits up, leaning against the headboard. “You didn’t celebrate stuff growing up, did you?”

“Let’s get dressed and go eat. I’m starving.” I push the covers off and attempt to climb over him to get out of bed.

He stops me, forcing me to sit next to him. “Answer me, Jade. Did you celebrate anything? Ever?”

“Sure. When I moved in with Frank.”

“But before that. When you were little.”

“I don’t remember.” I attempt to get up again but he keeps hold of me. I sigh. “We already talked about this. And no. My mom didn’t celebrate stuff, okay? But I’m over it now.”

“So you never celebrated Christmas? Like ever?” I hear the pity in his voice.

“Stop it, Garret. Don’t feel sorry for me over this. If you want to feel sorry for me over having a drunk for a mom or being poor, then fine. But don’t feel sorry for me over missing some stupid holidays. Or birthdays. I don’t care about that stuff.”

He knows it’s a lie. He saw how excited I got when he had that Halloween party in his room. I know it’s a lie, too, and yet I pretend that missing all those celebrations didn’t bother me. I’m so messed up.

“You should know that I kind of get into holidays, especially Christmas. The food, the decorations, the music. I really get into it.”

“Well, good thing I won’t be around to witness that.”

“And there’s the old Jade again,” he says, finally letting me out of bed. “So how long do you need to get ready?”

“Let’s say 15 minutes today. I’m a little tired after you kept me up all night.” I take his t-shirt off and toss it to him.

“Yeah, it was allmyfault,” he says as he looks at me standing there in my black lace push up bra and matching string bikinis. “That little ensemble didn’t have anything to do with it.”

I laugh. “It’s just underwear.”

“That isnotunderwear. That’s lingerie.”

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