Page 25 of The Breaking Pointe
I think for a moment, but not long, immediately finding an idea.
“Ten,tomorrow.Wearsomethingcasual.”Ismile, slightly tugging at my bottom lip with my teeth.
“Ten.Not at night, I hope…” she asks softly, staring at me aimlessly.
“Ten. Like in the morning,” I assure her, nodding with a charming grin.
“Okay,” she agrees sweetly.
I can feel the silence become tension filled. Her eyes lock on me, big, magnetic and emerald.Eyelashes as wispy as ever. I wish I could stare at them all day and never have to look away so I wouldn’t miss a second.
I lick my lips, shaking my head.More like shaking all the thoughts out.I could feel my heart beating like I’m seventeen again. Nervous as a service, but not a care in the world.
“I’ll call you then?”I ask, almost whispering.
She nods, slowly, almost as if she’s still unsure about her decision.
“Okay.I’ll see you,” I add, slowly backing away.
“Bye.”Her small fingers send me a wave, reminiscent of a princess, before turning and walking off.
My lips produce a smile that feels bigger than my face can fit.Walking away, I make my way through the aisles, forgetting my actual reasoning for coming here in the first place.Without noticing, consumed in my own world, I nearly run over a person, bumping into them almost instantly as I turn the corner to exit the aisle.
Trey.
“Bro, where did you go? You disappeared for the longest time,” he says, sounding frustrated.
He looks in my basket to see two items. The strawberries and the apple.
I couldn’t stop grinning while looking at him. “Chill out, I found what I needed.”
He looks in my basket again, this time with a laugh. “You only have two things. And it’s not enough for a meal.”
I shake my head. “Trust me, Trey. I got what I needed.” I pat his shoulder.
“Alright then, buddy.Let’s bust a move.”He chuckles, confused but supportive.
We begin to make our way to check out, me still grinning at my actions.
“You’re so strange,” he says. If only he knew.
9
take my breath away
NOELLE
The thought of dating again after Daniel is a major fear factor for me. I’m humbled by him in ways I don’t like to explain because it’s embarrassing to own up to how weak he made me feel. He’s the reason I’m in domestic violence meetings. Meetings that I’m still scared to go to, even though Colton doesn’t seem like he’s relatively close to being evil—but neither did Daniel when we first met.They always know how to start out sweet, and at the perfect time it all becomes sour.By that time, it’s too late.Going on a date only lets him know he might be closer to having a chance to show me how sour he truly can be.I had enough of it with Danny, and he won. My will to trust has left the building.
If I keep depriving myself of male attention, though, I might shrivel up.I’m not pressing to open my legs for anyone, but being wined and dined doesn’t sound so bad. If it’s anything like Daniel’s style, we’ll be at some exquisite
restaurant or party where he’ll simply show me off.Not much conversation, and maybe he’ll want a kiss or two.I won’t be thrilled, but I can say that I went on a date and didn’t reject another man out of fear.
And Lauren won’t feel obligated to give me another one of her lectures about missing out.
Thank God.
Walking in the front door of my apartment, straight away, I see Lauren standing at the stove, mixing something in a pan as she watches a show on her laptop.
