Read For Life for Free Online Page B

me, trying to assess the situation.
    “It’s okay.” I fiddle with the cup he hands me because I’m dying of embarrassment. I just got caught flirting with another guy by my very sweet boyfriend. I can’t look either one of them in the eye.
    “I’ll leave you kids to your night. Nice meeting you, Cassie.” Grady hoists himself up on his crutches without another word and heads for a group of guys. A couple girls flock to him, and he keeps a polite distance from them, even though he’s smiling and being perfectly friendly.
    I try not to peek at him, but as soon as Steve looks away, I do.
    I try not to think about him, but I wind up thinking about his blue eyes and his smile all night.
    I’m still thinking about him the next day after school when he calls me. And at dinnertime, when I’ve only just hung up with him. And again at midnight, after we hang up again from four hours of conversation and laughter.
    I break up with Steve the following day.
    Friday night Grady and I double-date with Janie and Dave. Grady holds my hand all through the movie and I want to kiss him so badly I can hardly see straight. The four of us go to Denny’s afterward and eat a mountain of food. In the backseat before Dave drops me off at my house, Grady presses his lips to mine, still sweet from the candy we fed each other on the ride home, giggling like five-year-olds.
    And it is the kiss of a lifetime.
     

October 1995
    Grady
     
    “Last one,” I say, and she flashes her beautiful dark eyes at me as she takes the Gummi Bear between her teeth and tugs it loose from my fingers. She’s grinning at me like she has just done something really naughty, which is exactly what my brain says to my dick. Her fingers tighten around mine as she sucks the sour sugar off the candy and then chews it. She’s bundled up in some ridiculously puffy jacket, the curves I couldn’t keep my eyes off of all night tucked safely away. Just her hands and her beautiful face and her hair are free. I’m behaving myself because it’s our first date and we’re not alone in this car, but it’s damn hard. She’s already said yes to another date next weekend, and this time I’ll be sure we’re alone, even if it’s just for ten minutes.
    We’re almost to her house. I don’t want her to get out of the car without kissing me, so I grip her hand so tightly that both our palms are sweating. I have no rational reason to think she won’t kiss me - she’s already agreed to be my girl, and she’s been flirting with me all night, giving me little looks, putting her hand on my leg, making excuses to touch me in between the excuses I make to touch her. Lucky for me, she keeps her hand in mine and turns to me, dark eyes sparkling.
    “Thank you for the movie,” she says sweetly.
    “Thank you for being my date.” I stroke her cheek, and she smiles before her lashes flutter down over her eyes, and that’s what gives me the courage. I can’t go one more second without kissing her. I lower my face to hers and hold my breath, waiting for the connection.
    At the last second she tips her face up to mine. She kisses me breathlessly, as if she’s been waiting for it all night. Her lips taste like sugar and when my tongue slides against hers she makes a little sigh in her throat. I kiss her deeper, hoping I can hear more of those sighs, and she doesn’t disappoint me. She’s perfect in every way, and kissing her is as awesome as I thought it would be. Maybe even more awesome.
    When we finally break apart my heart is hammering out of my chest. She isn’t smiling anymore, and for a second I’m terrified, until the look in her eyes tells me she’s feeling the same thing I’m feeling. I tangle my fingers in her silky hair and kiss her again, harder this time, and she gives it right back to me. God, this girl is incredible. I could kiss her all night. I could kiss her for life.
    Her stupid puffy coat is in the way but I hold her as close as I can and she burrows into me,