Page 21 of All the Right Things

“Well, there’s Jared, who is a couple of years younger than I am. He’s the one who is in construction and just opened his own company. Then, there’s Jessie.” He pauses for a moment. “Let’s just say that Jessie is a bit of a trouble maker.”

I consider asking what he means by that, but when he continues speaking, I stay silent.

“And then, there’s Jenna. She’s finishing up high school right now. She’s awesome at volleyball, so I imagine she might get a scholarship and get out of this town when she graduates.”

“Wow. Big family.”

He nods. “What about you? Tell me about your siblings.”

I consider how much I want to divulge, but he’s been so open with me that I figure I can share at least a little about myself.

“I don’t know.”

His forehead scrunches up. “You don’t know?”

“I, uh, don’t know who my parents are. I was put up for adoption when I was only about one, and I grew up in the foster care system, so I have no clue if I have any siblings.”

Regret appears all over his features. “Shit, Andi. I’m so sorry. I had no idea.”

“You have nothing to be sorry about. How could you possibly know that?”

“If you don’t mind me asking, why weren’t you ever adopted? I bet you were a cute as hell little kid,” he says with a little laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

“I was!” I giggle. “But a lot of parents looking to adopt a kid want a baby. I was past that stage. Plus, I lived in Chicago, and there were a lot of foster kids looking for good homes.”

“I can’t say I understand what that must have been like because obviously, I have no idea, but I know there are some stories out there about some horrible things that happen in those places. Did anything…”

I cut him off. “Nothing like that. Don’t get me wrong, I lived in a couple of homes that I didn’t care for, but it wasn’t because of anything likethat.It was mainly because the parents in the house treated the kids more like paychecks than actual humans. But I did have a couple of homes that I did like too. And I mean, I think I turned out okay?” I ask as though it’s a question.

“You turned out more than okay.” He sets his hand on my knee, and my breath hitches in my throat.

I have no idea why on Earth this gorgeous man is touching me, but I do know I would like him to do more of it. Looking down at my mug, I realize I’m about empty, which means I’m now two glasses in. I should probably slow down before my inhibitions are so low that I’m begging this man to give me an orgasm just so I can remember what one feels like.

Our eyes are locked together now, and I silently beg for him to kiss me. No matter how much my brain pleads that it’s a bad idea, my body’s pleas are far louder. I may be a woman who is completely unsure about 99.9% of the things in her life, but one thing I am sure of is that I want this man to touch me.

When I realize it’s been a moment since I’ve taken a breath, I suddenly take in a big gulp of air. Too big of gulp. I start to choke, which breaks our eye contact and completely ruins the moment.

No one has ever accused me of being smooth.

He asks if I’m okay, and I nod, trying to gain my composure. Thankfully, my choking incident seems to have silenced my libido for the time being.

When I finally settle down, he begins to speak. “So Andi, what’s your story?”

“What do you mean?” I ask, knowing damn well what he means.

“I mean, you came here from California, completely giving up your old life to move to a town that no one has heard of. You don’t wear a wedding ring, but you still have a tan line from one on your finger. I think there has to be a story there.”

I look down at the space where my ring used to be. I haven’t worn it since the day of the funeral, and I never will again.

“Jonas,” I begin. “I’m having a really good time with you tonight, and I’ve already told one sob story for the evening. How about we save that one for another day?”

A look of disappointment flashes over his features, but it’s gone just as quickly as it appeared. “Okay, I won’t push you. Can you just promise me something?”

“Depends on what it is,” I say with a smile.

“If you’re running from something, don’t make me wait too long. And don’t be afraid to ask for help.”

I want to assure him that I’m not running from anything, but that would require me explaining the whole situation, and I meant it when I said I didn’t want to ruin our good time. I’m worried after I tell him, the only thing reflecting back at me in those gorgeous eyes of his will be pity. I’m not ready for that, so I just nod.

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