Page 38 of Give Me Forever

I shook my head. "Damn, I usually don't talk so much. How much alcohol is in this, exactly? It feels strong, but I haven't had a Jack and Coke in years, so I'm not sure I remember how it's supposed to taste.”

Avery frowned. "I don't know either, to be honest, but I don't think it's that strong. Want me to make another one?"

"Sure."

She rose to her feet, dropping the blankets to the floor.

"Whoa." She lost her balance, gripping the door with both hands.

"Are you okay?" I jumped out of my chair, intending to steady her. Instead, I realized I was having huge balance issues of my own. The floor seemed to tilt at a ninety-degree angle before it corrected itself. I grabbed the other edge of the door for support and put a hand on her back.

She leaned into my touch. "I guess they were pretty strong, huh?" she murmured.

"Yeah," I replied. "How about some water?"

"Good idea."

"Careful. There's a step down from the terrace," I said.

"I know."

I put both hands on her waist from behind, guiding her. Why I thought I was in any position to keep her safe, I had no idea, but every instinct told me to try anyway. We walked slowly in a straight line until we reached the kitchen counter.

"Oh God," she said, looking at the cup.

"What?"

"I messed up. I should’ve added another measure of Coke. We’re going to be so out of it tomorrow."

"I don't have a shift," I said immediately.

I filled us each a glass of water from the tap. She was leaning against the kitchen counter and immediately grabbed the glass, drinking with huge gulps. So huge, in fact, that water spilled out from the sides of her mouth and straight onto her dress, making it transparent.

"Oops," she murmured, setting the glass down. Then she noticed her dress. She grinned, covering the see-through patch above her right breast with her palm.

I was semihard already. This was insane.

"How do I keep making a mess of things around you?" she asked. "You make me nervous."

"I don't want that. I don't want you to be uncomfortable."

"I didn't say uncomfortable, Sam. Just nervous. I thought this would be easier."

I moved closer to her. I shouldn't have, but I did. I put my hand on the other side of the counter. If I pressed myself just an inch closer to her, our bodies would be touching.

"What? Living with me?"

"Yes. So much time has passed that I thought we'd be perfect strangers. Back then, you know, I didn't want to leave," she murmured.

I looked her straight in the eyes. "Then why did you?"

She shrugged. "I was head over heels in love with you. I thought... I thought you were the one."

Fuck.The confession was like a punch to my gut. "So, why did you leave?" I insisted.

"Because you had so many plans. To go to college and go to med school and join Doctors Without Borders. And when I heard of Mom's illness, I knew that for the next few years, I'd be bogged down with trips to the doctor and worries. And I didn't want that to weigh on you."

"It wouldn't have weighed on me. That is not who I am. You know that. I would've been there for you every step of the way."

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