Read Reaching Rachel for Free Online Page B

who was sleeping peacefully. “Justin,” she began. “I don’t want to give away too much, and I really can’t because I don’t know the whole story, but I know that Rachel is the way that she is for a reason. She doesn’t want to even tell me. But she’s been hurt badly in the past, and I just want to see her happy. So her natural inclination to push you away is what she does to everyone. If you are really, truly in this for the long haul and you care about her, then you need to prove it to her. You need to show her beyond anything else that you are there for her. She deserves that.”
    He bit the inside of his cheek. He would show her, alright. Just like he showed Alana. She wasn’t nearly the effort that this one was, though. “What can I do? Any suggestions?”
    The little boy started squirming. “Mommy, potty,” he said.
    Kayley gave him apologetic look. “Sorry, Justin. I have to go. All I can say to you is—show her. Do something special to make her believe that this was a fluke thing, that you care about her. She’s headstrong but she also wants to feel cared about. And talk to her.”
    Justin watched her walk away, the little girl turning back every once and a while to look at him. Pushing the cart aimlessly up and down the aisles, he no longer could think about what he was there for and could only think about what Rachel’s friend said. Something had happened to her, she wants to be cared for, do something special. So she was vulnerable somewhere. She wanted the romance and roses, like all women.
    A smile crossed his face as a plan started in motion in his head. Oh yeah. He was going to win her over, and before he knew it, she’d be putty in his hands.
     

     
    Rachel set the phone back in the receiver, taking a deep breath. It had been an insane day. The phone had rung off the hook, she had computer issues, and had tons of new patients with paperwork to fill out and insurance cards to take. She was glad it was over. It had been three days since she talked to Justin, and he had finally given up on contacting her. She was looking forward to going home, pouring herself a nice glass of wine, and watching mindless television. She was exhausted.
    Powering down her computer and tidying her desk, she made sure the front door was locked and the lobby straightened, then headed out through the therapy room to the back door.
    “Bye, Jess,” she called out across the room. Jessica was putting away her therapy equipment. She looked up and smiled at Rachel.
    “See you Monday,” she responded, giving her a slight wave. “Let me know if you want to do anything this weekend. Like go catch some new guys.”
    Rachel laughed. “Will do. I may have had my fill of guys for a while, though.”
    Jessica looked at her pointedly. “Oh really? Should I mark that down?”
    Rachel pushed open the door and the inferno that was the Florida sun blasted her in the face. There was no such thing as fall here. “Ha, ha. Funny. I’ll talk to you later, Jess.”
    As she pushed the door shut and turned to walk to her car, she stopped dead in her tracks. Leaning up next to her car was Justin, looking edible in a pair of ripped jeans, a tight fitted tee shirt, and a pair of aviator sunglasses that he put up on top of his head as he saw her. He looked apprehensive as his eyes connected with hers, and she felt the familiar tug in her stomach when she saw him.
    He stepped towards her when he realized she wasn’t moving. “Rachel,” he began uncertainly. “I …”
    “What are you doing here?” Rachel interrupted, crossing her arms in front of her chest to keep him from seeing how much he was affecting her. Her hands were shaking and she couldn’t decide if she was excited to see him or angry. She was used to guys just moving on and not coming back if she pushed them away. He was walking towards her. He would be right in front of her soon. She was mad at him. She was furious. He hurt her. He embarrassed her. No one got away