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favorite book?” she asks.
    I swallow because if there’s something I love to do, it’s
read. I have read every John Grisham book ever written. “ A Time to Kill .
John Grisham.” I look over at her, and she smiles.
    “Mine is Gone with the Wind . Margaret Mitchell. A
book that also contains my favorite quote.”
    “Which is…” I’m intrigued because I love a good quote. I
watch her eyes and lips as she leans in to me and almost whispers the words.
    “ Her lips on his could tell him better than all her
stumbling words .”
    I can’t breathe and my eyes are definitely on her lips now.
I want to kiss her, but we’ve only known each other for three days. That’s
never stopped me in the past, but like I said, there’s something different
about Claire.
    “What does that mean exactly?” I lean into her so our faces
are only inches apart.
    She breaks our eye contact and does this move with her
bottom lip to let me know she’s thinking of the right words. “You know…when
your own words will just mess everything up. When there’s so much you want to
say, but you’re not sure how to say it exactly. When you’re in that situation,
a kiss can speak more than the words themselves. That’s what the quote means.”
    She’s back looking at me, and without thinking, I reach over
to grab her hand again. I’ve never met a girl who’s into books and quotes
before. Most of the street girls I’ve met have never read a book.
    “Do you do much reading?” I ask.
    She sighs. “Before law school, I read a book a week, but now
it’s less.”
    “I have every John Grisham book ever written, and a few
others that I like. My grandparents use to take my younger brothers and I to
the library every Sunday and we would pick out ten books each. We would take
them home and that was my assignment each week to read the ten books. I would
have all mine read by Wednesday.”
    She looks into my eyes and her warmth radiates to my bones.
I’ve never spoken about these intimate details of my family to anyone before.
What is it about this girl that makes me want to spill my guts? It’s unnerving
and refreshing at the same time.
    “And what about your brothers? Did they do their
assignments?”
    I laugh at the question because I haven’t thought of my
brothers reading their library books in years.
    “No. They both hated to read and would lie and say
they had finished when they hadn’t. Of course, my grandparents believed every
word they said. They are twins and could literally get away with murder.” I
laugh again at the memories of my brothers. I could picture them lying to Grans
right now.
    “What about you? Were you always the good kid who followed
directions?”
    Her words stop me in my tracks because there are several
answers to that question. I look into her eyes, and of course, I feel she sees
right through me.
    “I used to be,” I whisper. “But I’m not any more.” I break
the eye contact with her and stare at my food. I remove my hands from hers and
sit back in the seat. I’m no longer the same person anymore because too much
shit has happened in my lifetime. Then it hits me why I’m drawn to Claire. She
reminds me of a simpler time. She reminds me of love. She reminds me of the
good that is in the world.
    “Why aren’t you anymore?” She reaches across and takes my
left hand again. I refuse to make eye contact. Her question makes me realize
I’ve made a huge mistake. I should never have brought this girl to lunch, and I
should never have fallen for her. Where did I think this would end up? Did I
think she would sleep with me? Or did I think she would want to go out with me
again after she knew what I was? I’m such an idiot, and I acted on impulse. I
remove my hand from hers and I run it down my face.
    “I’m sorry Claire. This was a mistake. I never should have
brought you here.” I can’t look at her, but by the way she sits back in her
seat, I know she’s offended.
    “What do you mean