Read Between Octobers Bk 1, Savor The Days Series for Free Online

light
between us. But he said nothing.
    Well, I already had one foot in my mouth;
may as well shove the other in beside it.
    “For your sake, not his,” I added before
guilt shook the sense back into me. “I know it’s none of my
business. Sorry, I have this bad habit where I say things . . .
sometimes.”
    He pressed his lovely lips together, drawing
the edges up into an awkward smile. “I, too, say things from time
to time. I can relate.”
    “I mean . . . never mind.”
    “No, no, you’ve intrigued me. Please,
continue.”
    “Have you ever felt a need to say something?
Like a prompt?” I gestured between us, “Like, you have to tell
someone something, even if it’s offensive—as if it were the most
important thing in the world for them to hear?”
    His silence gave my answer.
    “ You don’t have any idea what I’m
talking about, do you?”
    “I don’t think I’ve ever said anything
important. Much less needed to.”
    “I realize it’s none of my business and you
have every right to be upset with me for being so forward. But I
just think you have more to gain through forgiveness. And I thought
you should know that.”
    “How so?” His pitch went up, indicating
genuine interest.
    “When someone hurts you, ninety-nine percent
of the time the actions stem from selfishness. So they’re not
sitting at home thinking about how they got over on you. And why
waste your time and energy thinking about them? Forgive and forget
so you can move on.”
    “Interesting,” he said. “May I ask you
something?”
    “We’re beyond the formalities, now.”
    “Are you married?” The light went dim. He
tapped the screen of his phone again.
    “Not anymore.”
    I looked down, afraid my eyes would give
away too much. Since cleaning out my closet, I could barely keep
them dry. Every time something sad, happy, or funny happened I was
shredded. Tears at the drop of hat, no matter the reason.
    “Are you dating anyone?” He hesitated. “You
don’t have to answer. I’m just trying for conversation. You know,
to pass the time.”
    “It’s alright. I’m not—” I struggled for the
right words. “I don’t . . . date guys.” It came out wrong but I
left it alone.
    He placed his head back against the wall and
closed his eyes. Crossing his feet, the phone slipped to one side.
He caught it and the screen lit with his touch.
    My thoughts flew up and away as my blank
eyes became glued to one spot. His gorgeous face. I don’t know how
long I watched him sit there, breathing in and out, before I heard
the muted thud.
    The intensity of his sudden gaze took me by
surprise. “You hear that? I think we’re sprung.”
    Another thud sounded and Evan was on his
feet, holding his hand out to me. The subtle contact made my empty
stomach flutter, but it was nothing. The hand was offered, so I
accepted. I offered him my thanks and he took it.
    My feet were too far over when I stood,
landing me deep in his personal space. I stared up while the light
grew. He smelled like smoke and honey. I breathed him in. Chagrin
heated my cheeks when he looked back and caught me. I turned to the
wide silver doors as they inched open and back to Evan, who was
staring again, or maybe he never looked away.
    “Back away from the door!” The call shot
through a thin crack in the passage.
    We did as the voice commanded, moving until
we felt the wall at our backs. We watched the metal arm appear
between the door panels and slowly pry them apart.
    “It was wonderful meeting you, Gracie.” Evan
offered his hand.
    “It was nice meeting you, too. Thank you . .
. you’re my hero.” I mimicked a bad southern accent, attempting a
damsel-in-distress posture and batting my eyelashes. He laughed and
I felt stupid.
    The door cranked open, wider and wider,
until there was enough room to pass through into the bright morning
outside. I took my leave and headed straight for the Jeep.
    Twenty minutes, my patooty! That was at
least an hour.
     
    After dropping