Page 28 of A Better Place

“Because his hand was on your shoulder. And I haven’t been able to get you out of my head since I met you in Harper’s classroom. And the night of the football game when I asked if I could walk you to your car I had totally chickened out because what I really wanted to ask was if you would go out sometime. But then you ran, and I never got the chance to.”

I cross my arms over my chest and raise my chin. “I did not run.”

“Yeah, you did. And it’s okay. It really is. But now I’m here. I’m back, and I’m not going anywhere, and I’d really, really like the chance to get to know you better.”

“You would?”

“I would.”

“But… why?”

“Why?”

“Yeah. Why? I mean, I’m nothing…”

“You’re everything.”

“You don’t even know me.”

“And yet I already know that you’re everything.”

Swoon.

I’m staring into his eyes and see nothing but honesty, kindness and gentleness. I want to say yes to him so badly, but I don’t know if I can.

“James,” I start, but he puts a hand up to stop me.

“Carly, you don’t have to say anything. Not yet anyway. I get that you have a past. I do too. In fact, mine burned me pretty badly. But you’re the first person who… I don’t know… made me feel less burned. That sounds dumb, right?”

“No, it doesn’t. I get it. I do, but,” I stall.

“Uh-oh. I don’t like that but.”

“I’m not saying no, James. It’s just that you’re right. I do have a past. And that past is not pretty. I don’t know if I’m ready yet, or if I’ll ever be, to be honest.”

“I can handle that.”

“You can?”

“Of course. Carly, I’m not going to lie and tell you that I’m not attracted to you because, holy hell, you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen,” he tells me with a giant grin, apparently completely unashamed of giving me the compliment that makes me blush. “But, I really just want the chance to get to know you. If it turns into something beyond friendship? That’s even better.”

“So you’re…”

“Okay with taking it as slowly as you need, okay with keeping it strictly in the friend-zone. I promise, no pressure.”

“You’re sure?”

“I’m positive. I am new to town, you know. I could really use a new friend.”

“You’re hardly new, James. You grew up here, didn’t you?”

“That still doesn’t mean that I don’t need a new friend.”

My shoulders relax, and my smile feels genuine. “That sounds… perfect.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

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