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His fingers paused on h; his skin was so warlint, he shook his head "Presentable?" he n to him "Jesus, Caroline You didn’t have to worry about that It doesn’tto love you because of who you are"

I drew in a deep, shuddery breath His words meant more than he could ever knoas thrilled he had so much faith in me, but I still had no faith in myself Noas even more nervous, because I kind of sort of really wanted theht my hand when I started to s to be fine They’re easy to get along with, down to earth, laid-back people, so you have nothing to worry about Okay?"

I nodded, but my stomach continued to churn

"I’ll make you a prolanced around to make sure no one had seen when it struckhere, not ere so far away from Ella, I’ll keep my hands respectable until after dinner with the to stop worrying

It h, because Oren beamed at me "Great You ready, then?"

Hell, no But I nodded and sent hi instantly took root in my stomach as we climbed out of his truck and started up the front walk But then Oren tookinstantly shot off fireworks through all ers His pale, as if I was protected and cherished and desired, all due to one little squeeze froers

He was honest to God about to introduceaze moved from my face, and down to our hands, then back up to ," I was quick to answer

So he frowned He even slowed to a stop and turned to facething is freaking you out, isn’t it?"

"No," I blurted

He crinkled his eyebrows, calling bullshit with a single look

My shoulders collapsed "Da o, his thuedmy hand? It’s perfectly respectable"

"I know, but it’sI don’t know!" I growled as I looked away fro like a freak "It’s public," I hissed and chanced a glare at hi him not to make fun of me

"Public?" he repeated slowly

"Sander would never hold rip tightened around er "The fucker who made you his dirty little secret? That jackass probably didn’t even talk to you in public"

"No," I ht "He never did Only when no one else was around" And the one time he promised to take me into public, he lied

I wished I’d realized that before I’d fallen for his ploy and let hiile part of me

"My point is" I liftedit li hands when it’s just the two of then to the world that they belong together, that--"

"Okay, wait" He butted in, stoppingcouples do in public I don’t knohands over the years when they thought no one else was around"

"A" A soft sentiment flooded me "That’s so sweet"

"Yeah Whatever" He rolled his eyes, because anything sweet and romantic that involved his mom and dad probably fell closer to an ick factor for him "The point is, it’s not public And it’s not so It’s just two people ant to touch and feel closer to each other Nothing more"