AllFreeNovel
Share Us
5. Don’t think about kissing Ben.
6. Don’t imagine Ben naked.
Shoot, why did I write that down? That’s just more likely to bring the thought to my mind.
I skip down to the end of the to-do list and write in another item.
7. Fill the schedule void.
With it on my list, I can put everything back in my bag and refocus on the present.
And I’m definitely not thinking about Ben naked.
BEN
This is it.
It’s like the universe is working in my favor. Trying to give me a chance. Now, I just need to come up with a plan and get her to agree to it.
For the next half hour, I brainstorm, only slightly guilty that I’m not fully listening to Holly read. She always leaves the book here, so I can catch up later.
An idea finally forms, one that sets my nerves on edge. It’ll leave me vulnerable, but I figure that’s what you need to do to get someone to trust you. Show them the darker parts of yourself but also share the things you love with them.
At the next chapter break, I take advantage of her pause. “Holly.” She glances up from the book, and I enjoy the warmth of her gaze on me before continuing, “Come on an adventure with me this weekend.”
She blinks, obviously not expecting my invitation. I wait.
“An adventure? What kind?”
“An overnight adventure. A surprise adventure.”
I grin, and she hesitantly smiles back at me. But her face is still full of questions.
“So, you won’t be telling me where we’re going?”
“Nope.”
“That sounds kind of murder-y.”
I chuckle. “Then, I guess you’ll just have to trust me not to murder you.”
Her teeth chew on her bottom lip as she regards me. I hold my breath. She opens her mouth to answer and then closes it, thoughtful again.
“How about this?” Obviously, something about the situation is making her uncomfortable, and I really hope the murder-y comment was just a joke. “I’ll tell Terra where we’re going. She can help you pack then. And, of course, you’ll drive us, so when you get in the car, I’ll give you the address. You can text it to Terra or your brother. That way, all my horror-movie plans will be ruined.” I give a mock-frustrated scowl, which successfully pulls a laugh out of her. The sound has my gut clenching in pleasure.
“Well, don’t you have everything figured out? When were you thinking we’d leave and come back? I have some things to do Sunday afternoon.”
That sounds a whole lot like a yes.
“No problem. Friday to Sunday morning. When’s your last class tomorrow?”
“Ends at three.”
“Perfect. We can leave right after that.”
“What about your Saturday treatment?” She waves at the machine chugging away beside me.
Fuck this dialysis.
