Page 68 of And I Love Her

“No.” She blew out an exasperated breath. “Why the third degree about a few drawings?”

He shrugged, his attention on the sketchbook. “Just seems like a talent you could really develop, that’s all.”

“What would be the point?”

“Fun. Creativity.” He put the sketchbook on the table and got to his feet. “Or no point at all. Not everything has to have apoint.”

“Well, it should.”

He drew his eyebrows together, and Callie was struck with the sense that she’d somehow disappointed him. She stacked the remaining food cartons and turned away from him.

“I appreciate your praise,” she said. “I just like things to stay the same, all right?”

“I know you do.” He took hold of her wrist and tugged her toward him, his gaze slipping to her lips. “But if things had stayed the same, we might not be here now.”

She put her hand on his stubbled jaw, her heart softening at the tender gleam in his eyes. She would also never have experienced the wild, zinging thrill of love…or have had to face an inevitable heartbreak.

Jake pulled her closer. With one movement, he had her pressed right up against him. Their eyes met, heat and emotion crackling between them.

Then he kissed her and Callie’s unease disappeared into the warm, lovely pleasure she would one day desperately miss. As they sank back onto the sofa, her fisted hands relaxed, and the pink slip of paper bearing her fortune fell to the carpet. But the message stayed in her mind.

Take the chance while you still have the choice.

But what if the choice wasn’t hers to make?

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