Page 52 of Between Now and Forever

“What…like ever? Or just today?” I ask completely disbelieving.

She chuckles, but she shakes her head.

“Ever.”

I gawk. “Is this town full of asexual people? How does a girl who looks like you go twenty years and not kiss anyone?”

She frowns at me, her eyes narrowing in contemplation and full of conflict. Finally, she sighs and looks resigned to something that makes her sad. She turns and heads for the door.

“Wait here. I’ll be back in a minute.”

She steps out into the hallway, and I ignore her command and follow her. She’s walking into the bathroom and doesn’t close the door. I hear the sink’s faucet come on and hesitate for a moment before I follow her. She’s bent over the sink, washing her face.

I lean against the doorframe and wait. When she turns the water off, she stands straight and meets my eyes in the mirror. Hers widen in surprise.

“I told you to wait!” she cries and grabs a towel to wipe her dripping face.

“Close your eyes.” Her voice is muffled through the towel.

“What? Why?”

“Please. I just want to say something before I show you,” she pleads, her shoulders slumping as she holds the towel to her face. I'm perplexed but curious, so I relent and close my eyes.

“Fine. But this better be good,” I say in feigned annoyance.

“Thank you. I know this is weird. But, I’m trying really hard to not repeat the same mistakes. I like you.”

“Is that one of the mistakes?” I joke.

“No. Please. I’m not good with words, so just let me finish.” Her voice is halting and unsure. Hearing her nerves, when she’s been so composed all night wipes the jaunty smile off my face.

“Go ahead.”

“I like you. I can tell that if we spend time together, I’m going to like you even more. I can tell you like me, too, but, I want you to see this first.” She swallows hard and worry lurches in my stomach. Oh my God, what is she about to show me? Does she have a swastika tattooed on her face? I fidget but don’t say anything.

“I understand if it makes you uncomfortable or changes things...but, I’ve learned the hard way that it’s best to get this out of the way first. Also, it’ll be much easier to get over you if I know you’re an asshole. So…you can open your eyes. This is me. Therealme.”

I open my eyes slowly and find that she’s still facing the mirror and is watching me through the reflection. At first, I’m so focused on her eyes that it takes me a few seconds to see what she wants me to see.

There is a splotch of scarlet about two inches in circumference that covers her left cheek and the lower swell of her cheekbone.

“Is that…?"

I step closer and peer at it, and she closes her eyes.

“I just wanted you to understand why no one has kissed me. I didn’t think it was fair to have you thinking I’m something I’m not.”

The unmuted vulnerability and naked honesty of her confession are like truth serum tipped arrows aimed and shot straight at me. They hit all of the places I left exposed when I approached her like I do everyone else.

Too late, I realize my error in judging this book by its cover.

I thought she was just another pretty face, a girl who I’d fuck and forget. I wasn’t prepared for the compelling, heart pounding reality of Elisabeth Wolfe.

My armor of shallow charm, dry wit, and calculated seduction proves to be no match for the bravery and determination in her lavishly expressive, man slaying eyes.

Fuck.

I know firsthand how much courage it takes to bare your faults in public. I’ve never mustered enough of it to do that.

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