Page 21 of The Bookworm Who Stole Christmas
“You learn to deal with it.” She lifts her shoulder like this is normal for her, and I don’t like it one bit. Feelinglike this should never be normal for anyone, my hands clench into fists, angry at those who would hurt her. “I just have a very large distrust of people and their actions.”
I nod, reigning my temper in and unclenching my fists with a sigh. “I can understand that. I’m the opposite, though.”
Maddie perks up, probably glad the conversation has moved away from her. “Oh?”
I run a hand through my hair as I huff out a laugh. “I trust people too easily. I fall in love quickly and then get burnt when the rose-tinted glasses wear off.”
“Is that what happened to your marriage?” She tilts her head to the side, her questioning gaze on me.
“Unfortunately. Dani had a thing about men… lots of them.”
“She cheated on you?” Maddie exclaims, her eyes wide at my omission.
“She did, yeah. I came home one evening, and she was in bed with another man.” I shove my hands in my coat pocket and duck my head. “We were never right for each other. I found that out within a few months of us being together, but by then she was already pregnant with Amelia.” I chuckle, but there’s no laughter.
“I tried to make it work for Amelia’s sake, but we probably should have called it quits a lot sooner. Dani didn’t want to be a mom, so I basically raised Amelia by myself. When I found her with a guy she worked with, I told her she could keep the money, the house, everything; I just wanted my daughter.
“She didn’t fight me. Hasn’t even tried contacting Amelia since we moved here. But I still haven’t given up on finding a love like my mom and dad have. Danimight not have been the right one,” my gaze drifts to Maddie’s, “but I know the right one’s out there somewhere.”
I don’t know what it is about her, but she’s got me all kinds of twisted up.
“I should probably get going,” she says, looking down at her hands. “I have to open the shop early for a delivery.”
Shit! I’ve scared her off. You and your fucking mouth.
I clear my throat, my heart in my stomach. “Of course. Can I walk you home?”
Maddie glances back at me, indecision warring in her eyes. She finally gives a brief nod. We turn and walk the other way, the snow gently falling around us.
Chapter Thirteen
MADDIE
Idon’t know if it’s a good idea for Parker to walk me home. But once again, I’ve found myself unable to say no to him. I felt bad about what happened earlier. Normally, I wouldn’t care, but with him, he brings out a side of me I didn’t know existed.
His sunny disposition makes me laugh even when others fail. He makes my chest ache when he gazes at me with his soulful blue eyes, ones that feel like they’ve seen the horrors of the world but can still look past all of it to see the good in everyone.
I wish I were like that. I wish I didn’t see everyone as a threat. I wish I hadn’t grown up with an unhealthy outlook on life that resulted in me being the grumpiest bitch known to mankind. I often watch Zoey and how she interacts with others, wishing I were more like her. She’s so good and kind, and I’m… not. I mean, I’m not a terrible person. I just think I could do better.
I felt awful for both him and Amelia after hearing about what his ex-wife did. What a complete bitch. Honestly, whodoesthat? She threw away two amazing peoplewithout a second thought. My heart hurts just thinking about it. I had no idea what to say to Parker, so I told him I needed to go. I’m terrible at comforting people, and I didn’t want to say the wrong thing. Knowing me… I probably would have.
Foot meet mouth, springs to mind.
We come to a stop outside my door, and I gaze up at him. He steps closer, his chest brushing against mine slightly. Even though we both have our coats on, I shiver as if he’d touched my skin.
“I want to hurt anyone who’s made you feel like you can’t live a life full of happiness and joy,” he says seriously, brushing a stray hair from my face. “You, Maddie Coleman, deserve the world.”
I swear I couldn’t pull myself away from him if I tried. His eyes say it all, and I believe every word. When he says stuff like this, it makes me want to be a better person. It makes me want to learn to be able to comfort him when he needs it.
He rubs his thumb softly across my cheek, and I lean into it without meaning to. Parker dips closer, his mouth just shy of mine, and I breathe him in. The fresh scent makes me feel safe and warm as my heart beats wildly against my chest.
I feel like he’s going to kiss me. Is he going to kiss me?
As if he can read my thoughts, he gently places his lips on mine.
My lips part on a gasp, and he gently pushes his tongue into my mouth, deepening the kiss. My arms act of their own accord, coming up to wrap around his neck, my hands tangling in his hair. Parker groans, grabbing my hips and pulling me closer, eradicating any space between us.
I don’t know how long we stand there kissing for, but Ifeel like I could do it forever. Eventually, he pulls back slowly, his eyes closed and a small smile playing on his lips.
