Page 9 of All We Need

My passion makes me emotional.Mydrive makes me controlling.

AndIrefuse to be seen as helpless right now.

“I don’t need saving.I’mmore than capable of handling myself.”Myvoice rises in volume, andBooth’sexpression morphs from sheepish to defensive.

“Whoa, that’s not whatIwas implying.”Heraises his palms. “You’renew here.Alone.Idon’t doubt you could handle yourself.”

“Who saidIwas alone?”Ihuff.

I’m exhausted, fed up, andIknowIsound like a bitch right now, butI’min no mood to backtrack.EspeciallywithBooth.

With tired movements, he scrubs a hand down his face. “ClearlyI’mfucking this up.Again.I’msorry to have disturbed your night.Letme getMartin, and you can be on your way.”

My heartbeat races, but beforeIcan stop him, he disappears into the bakery.

A minute later, a tall, slim elderly gentleman—looking to be in his late sixties appears.

“It’s nice to finally meet you.I’msorry it’s under these circumstances.”Hespeaks formally, but there’s aNewEnglandtwang to his accent.TurningtowardBoothbehind him, he says, “You’vemetBooth,Isee.Goodlad.”

I try my hardest not to look at the man in question, but even in the dimly lit streets,Isee him mouth,I’ma good ladbefore winking.

“It’s good to meet you,Martin.”Ishake his offered hand. “It’sno problem.Thesethings happen.Isee it’s all sorted, soI’llleave you to it.Sorryyou had to end yourThanksgivinglike this.”

My voice is steady, andIpress my shaking hands to my thighs, my sweaty palms heating my cold skin.Slowly,Iback away asMartinstares at me curiously.

Booth has the same look.

Who’s blaming them?I’macting peculiar, butIdon’t like curiosity.

Curiosity led me here.

CHAPTER THREE

booth

I love a challenge.

SinceIwas a kid,I’djump at the chance to try anything once, no matter how difficult.Inmiddle school,Itried out for the soccer team even though the offside rule hurt my brain.Itdidn’t faze me getting benched almost every game;Iwas happy to be there.

Failing classes?Fine.Putme in summer school andIwould work my ass off.

Teaching my little sister,Florence, how to ride a bike, even though she has the balance of a one-legged donkey.Pieceof cake.

Going to a local college none of my friends are attending?Noproblem.Makingfriends came easily to me.

Quitting wasn’t an option untilI’dgiven it my all.

I’d somehow stumbled across an unsolvable puzzle.Hotone minute, ice cold the next.Shehad me eager for the burn and the frostbite.NeverhaveIfucked up so tremendously when speaking to a woman.Letalone twice.She’sfiery, smart, and clearly out of my league.

Which entices me more.

I’m strolling upRobinRoadasIrecall our last run-in.

Before the door opened, the identity of the tenant above the bakery was a mystery.

Then a goddess was revealed, clad in black silk that covered nothing.Longlegs, the gentle slope of her breasts, and tight nipples poking through the thin camisole.Facebare, eyes heavy with sleep; she looked delicious.Herhair was a wild mess of curls, sticking up in all directions, making her appear younger.

Struck dumb.Again.Ibarely managed to say two words.It’syou.

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