Page 53 of The Attraction

We both start laughing so hard, and she hasn’t even realized that I still have her hand in mine.

“Oh, that wasn’t even the worst. I just can’t even, I mean, the things that people do and say are just so crazy.”

We then spend the next hour talking and laughing at things that have been on that podcast. No wonder it rates so well, because no matter how stupid something is, it still gets you laughing, and right now, that feels good for both of us.

Grabbing my phone, I order some Thai food to be delivered, and we spend the next few hours playing all my machines. And I didn’t even hesitate to eat in the playroom which is so not like me. I’m so fastidious about keeping the machines in pristine condition, but tonight, I couldn’t care less. Harper makes me reckless in the best possible way, making me stop living by my own stupid rules. It’s the most fun I have had in a very long time. Especially with Harper being so competitive, which meant more bets being made, but we agreed no more hard questions tonight.

When we are finally at the point it’s tied games between us, Harper’s yawn tells me it’s time for both of us to pack up and head to bed. The night has gotten away from me, and although I know I should be finishing the work I ran out and left this afternoon, for the first time, I don’t want to. Going to sleep with tonight’s memories sounds like a far better idea.

After cleaning up our takeout containers, we head down the hallway together, stopping at her door.

“Thanks for tonight, I had fun.” Her hand on the doorknob, she twists it and pushes it open, stepping one foot into the room as I reply, “Me too.” I really mean it.

Just as I go to step away, she turns back to look at me from inside her room before she shuts the door for the night. “Why do you touch me all the time?” Her voice is little more than a whisper.

“Because it’s impossible not to. Good night, beautiful.”

Now that’s a name, surely, she can’t object to.

Moving my feet toward my bedroom is the hardest thing I’ve ever done, but deep down, I know it’s the right thing to do.

For now.

ChapterTwelve

HARPER

Forrest’s words keep rotating in my head.

“It’s impossible not to… beautiful.”

I don’t understand how to rationalize it. Every other person in my life knows how I don’t like to be touched, including Forrest. Yet he does it anyway.

And I like it.

I’ve never liked it.

So why is his touch the one that I can’t stop thinking about?

What is he doing to me?

Lying in bed staring at the ceiling, I think about my King’s Guard bear that I stuffed under the bed a few days ago. Hopping up and leaning down, I reach under the bed and pull him out but not to cuddle him.

Instead, I sit on my bed with it in front of me and start talking to my dad.

But not like I used to do when it all happened. That was a lot of yelling and questioning why he did what he did.

This is different. I want to tell him about Forrest. I need to understand why he makes me feel the safest I have felt since my dad left. Which is wild, considering my life has danger hovering around it, yet here in this apartment, with him, I feel peace.

The words are not out loud but in my head. I can’t afford for Forrest to hear any of my ramblings. Of course, there are no answers, just like when I used to yell into the night sky, but for some reason, I feel a little better.

Drifting off to sleep, Forrest’s scent cocoons me again. It’s like he is imprinted on me which makes absolutely no sense. But I love it anyway.

Felisha and I just ate dinner, talking about the guy in our business law class who is a serious jerk, and I’m so glad Professor Claridge put him in his place. There is nothing worse than a guy who thinks he knows everything but really knows nothing. I swear he is compensating for something.

Getting into my fluffy winter pajamas and wrapping my dressing gown around my waist, I take one last look outside to see if the snow has started. There are no snowflakes falling yet, but you can tell it’s close. The ground is frosted, and the trees are bare, with icicles hanging from them from the cold. With my hands on the curtains ready to pull them shut again, movement from behind one of the trees catches my eye.

“Daddy,” I whisper.

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