Page 102 of The Rules Of Attraction
“Looks good on you.” My shirt swamped her tiny frame but still managed to look sexy on her. “Bad day?”
She nodded, eyes cast down. “The worst in a while.”
“You want to talk about it?”
She shook her head slowly and the tear that ran down her cheek clenched at my heart. I didn’t want anything or anyone making her cry.
I remembered when she came to me for help when the rats were in her apartment. I felt for her then too.
She was crying then. This felt different.
“Can I at least sit with you?”
She lifted her head and gazed at me. “Yes, I’d really like that.”
I stood up and shrugged out of my jacket, then I took my place next to her.
When she leaned against my chest, I placed my arm around her.
It felt like we’d always been like this. Like we were supposed to be like this.
“You’re heart’s beating so fast.” She whispered against my shirt pressing her hand to the flat of my stomach.
“That’s cos I’m not used to having angels on my chest.” I stroked the side of her neck.
She lifted her head. “Alex, why do you call me that?” The look in her eyes showed an eagerness that told me she really wanted to know. Like it meant something to her.
I thought for a moment as I watched and straightened up a little. “Angels are the most perfect beings I know. Flawless and beautiful inside and out. But the best part is it’s their inner beauty that overpowers everything else. The outer appearance is just a bonus.”
“You think that about me?” she asked, barely able to get the words out. More tears streamed down her cheeks.
“I know so.”
“How? You barely know me.”
“So you keep telling me.” I grinned. “If I’d known you for years would you believe me more?”
“I don’t know.”
“I personally don’t need to know you for any length of time to tell you what I see. But I seriously hope that the people who’ve known you for years make you feel better than me. I’m actually jealous.”
“Don’t be.” She broke down.
I straightened up and cupped her face. “What’s wrong, baby? Talk to me.”
Her lower lip trembled, quivering as more sadness and tears clouded her features.
“I can’t…” she winced.
Whatever it was must have been real bad.
Instead of persisting, I did the only thing I could and took her back into my arms.
She rested her head near my heart which never beat like this before.
“I got you.” I whispered into her ear.
When she took hold of my hand and held on to it something I wasn’t prepared for happened to me.
She felt like she was mine and my heart ached to see her in pain.
