Read Dreams (New Beginnings Book 3) for Free Online Page B

saw her, she had long hair and was soaking wet. This girl had her hair styled short and a pair of glasses sat snuggly on her face. But, the sharp eyes behind those glasses were unmistakable.
    He knew she lived in Columbus now. Sarah asked him to watch out for her and he didn’t even try. Everyone kept telling him this was his year to break out. He’d been focused on that.
    His feet moved of their own will as he crossed the diner, stopping in front of her booth. She was too engrossed in her book to look up.
    “Must be a good story,” he finally said.
    That got her attention. She jumped in surprise and then her gaze slid up his body, finally stopping on his face. Recognition lit in her eyes.
    Josh slid into the booth uninvited and leaned over the table. “What’re you reading?”
    She stared at him for a second. “ Outlander.”
    “ Oh, those are good. I read the series last year.”
    Her eyes widened like he had just sprouted a second head and he chuckled softly.
    “What are you doing here?” she asked.
    He knew she didn’t mean in this diner.
    “I live here.”
    “You didn’t tell me that before.”
    He shrugged before waving down a waitress. “Can I get a coffee and a chicken sandwich with mustard, lettuce, tomato, and onion?”
    “Eating healthy?” Taylor asked, glancing down at the burger, fries, and milkshake in front of her.
    “I have to.” He stole one of her fries and leaned back, not wanting to elaborate. When you tell someone you’re a professional athlete, it tends to change the way they see you. For some reason, Josh didn’t want Taylor seeing him in that light. “I like the hair,” he said after a few moments of silence.
    “Thanks.” She ran a hand over the top of her head, but didn’t smile.
    Josh caught her stealing a glance at him before looking down at the table. He grinned, not taking his eyes from her as they ate.
    “I don’t know how you do it,” he said seriously, watching as she drew a breath in sharply.
    She finally met his gaze. “Do what?”
    He let the tension stretch between them before he couldn’t stop his lip from twitching. “Eat fries without ketchup.”
    She let out a relieved sigh and shrugged.
    “It’s just weird,” he continued.
    Looking down at her plate and then back at him, she picked up a fry and threw it at him. With quick reflexes, he caught it mid-air and stuffed it in his mouth.
    “Throwing food now?” Feigning disapproval, he reached over and stole another fry. “I’ll be taking this as an apology.”
    When he tried to take another one, she grabbed his hand and pressed it to the table.
    “Those are mine,” she challenged, finally giving him a small smile.
    Her hand was smooth against his calloused one, and he suddenly didn’t want her to let go.
    “If I release you, will you behave?” she asked.
    He flipped his hand over so they were palm to palm and threaded his fingers through hers. She froze for a long moment then snatched her hand back.
    “Sorry,” she said.
    “You don’t have to be sorry.”
    She looked at him with clouded eyes while reaching out slowly to squeeze his hand one time before scooting out of the booth.
    Before leaving, she turned back. “Can we … do this again?” She studied her feet, waiting for an answer.
    “Yeah,” Josh said with a soft laugh. “I’d like that.”

Five
    Taylor met Josh at the diner every night for the rest of the week. Being around him made her realize just how lonely she’d been. It was her own fault. She’d pushed everyone away with her sullenness. Josh didn’t seem to mind.
    Abigail constantly had people in their room, so Taylor wanted to be anywhere but there. She knew she should be trying to get to know her roommate and the other people on their floor, but it was too overwhelming. All they seemed to want to do was find the best parties on the weekends. That wasn’t Taylor’s scene.
    She called her best friend Sarah on her way to the diner and listened to her squeal into the phone.