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met, and I don’t ever want to let her go.

 
    Skylar
    I know it’s crazy, and I know I’ve just met this guy, but I am drawn to this man in a way that is like nothing I’ve ever known. Because of my situation I have not been on many dates and I certainly don’t have time for a relationship. It has not been because of not wanting to, but with raising a little sister, going to school and working I have no time left for anything else. Right now, I seriously don’t need any kind of distractions in my life. With a major interview coming up and a busy six month internship ahead, I absolutely need to keep my head straight. I don’t have time for this.
    Well, maybe I do have just a little time for pie.
    When he walked out the door, I won’t lie; I felt sad. I mean, how can a complete stranger have this effect on me?
    Maybe I should have given him my phone number or maybe I should have acted more interested.
    I just don’t have any experience when it co mes to this stuff. When I notice that he has left me an eighty dollar tip and a note, my heart beats so fast that I think it’s going to explode out of my chest. I worry that I will never see him again and that idea just makes me quite sick. The last thing I expect is for him to approach me in the parking lot when I get off my shift. Even now, as we walk side by side to Marie’s, I can feel our bodies respond to one another. He makes me feel safe, and he makes me feel wanted. I don’t know how all of this is possible when I barely know him. 
    It is a chilly night for September, but Marie’s is only a short three block walk from work. I tug on my old thin worn coat and pray that he doesn’t notice how badly it is falling apart. I definitely don’t think this thing will make it through the rest of the winter, and it’s just another expense I don’t need right now. I stop when I notice the sign on the front of the bakery is no longer lit up. I know Marie will still be here preparing for tomorrow so without thinking I take his hand into mine and pull him around to the side alley entrance.
    Holy Shit! Am I losing my mind? I’m holding hands with a hot stranger and yanking him into dark alleys with me. I don’t know what in the world has come over me. Wait, of course I know… it’s him.
    His gorgeous amber eyes look alarme d when he stares down at our joined hands. I gently squeeze his hand and try to give him a reassuring look.
    “Relax . I’m not a deranged serial killer. I promise I didn’t pull you over here to kill you. Marie’s already locked the front up, but she is always here late cooking for the next morning,” I explain as I hesitantly release his hand. I already miss the feel of his hand in mine.
    I kno ck gently on the side door and steal a glance back over to him. He looks nervous as he kicks at the pavement beneath him. I can’t help but notice that there appears to be a new warmth to his expression. He looks more relaxed now than he did back at the café. I am just about to knock again when Marie finally opens the side door and greets me with a huge hug.
    “Skylar! Hello , my darling,” she exclaims as she kisses both of my cheeks. She frowns suddenly at me and then puts her hands on each side of my face.
    “Oh you poor thing . You look exhausted. You are going to have to stop working all these hours, bellissimo!” She exclaims patting my cheeks.
    You have to love Marie Giavana. Everyone in the neighborhood absolutely adores her. She has become like a grandmother to me over the years, and it is always wonderful to have her advice. Not to mention being treated to her newest and latest fabulous pastry creations. As Marie turns, she notices the beautiful man standing beside me.
    “And who might this handsome man be?” She asks , wiggling her eyebrows suggestively up and down at me.
    OMG… she just did not do that!
    I stand ther e too stupefied to answer her when I realize that I have absolutely no idea what this man’s name is.
    O kay, so