A Moment by Marie Hall Read Free Book Online Page B

not going to tell you no,” he mutters, “but don’t screw with her. You got me? She’s a good girl, Ryan, and she doesn’t need your shit. I’m serious.”
     
    Shoving his hand off, I straighten my shirt. “You like her. That it?”
     
    Running has hand over his head, he nods. “Yeah. A lot. But there’re things. Things I know damn well I can’t handle. So out of respect for her, I stay away.”
     
    I cock my head. “What things?”
     
    Alex shakes his. “She wants you to know, she’ll tell you. Play nice, Ryan, and no more crap.”
     
    I look back at the door. She smiles at me. All soft and sweet and I know I’m screwed.
     
    “I swear.”
     

 
    Chapter 7
     
    Liliana
     

     
    “So you really eat sushi? I’m shocked.” I shove another spicy tuna roll in my mouth, moaning with two parts pleasure and one part pain as the wasabi hits my brain, bringing tears instantly to my eyes.
     
    Laughing, he nods. “Yeah. I do.”
     
    To prove his point he pops another unagi roll into his mouth and chews.
     
    “I’m a fighter. Lean protein, clean carbs. It’s what keeps this body moving.” He winks and my stomach dips.
     
    Who is this guy?
     
    Not the same one I remembered from months ago. He makes me laugh, forget about the stress of time, of homework, of work, of Javi or Mom.
     
    The place is a dump. The carpet is stained and ripped in spots. The tables are nothing more than the fold out kinds and there are cracks in the window.   I keep expecting a health inspector to walk in any minute, tape a closed sign to the door, and tell us to run and never look back. But at least there aren’t bugs and the fish does taste fresh.
     
    But the coffee sucks the big one. It’s old, bitter, and so gross I’d only managed two sips before having to set it away.
     
    Ryan’s eyes twinkle, his skin looks flushed and healthy, and for the first time I see hope in him. My fingers curl. I wanted to hug him, to make sure he’s really real. That this is real.
     
    “So how’d they’d take the whole incident? Your,” I shrug, “coach?”
     
    I can’t help but glance at his wrists. The skin still looks a little raw, but more pink than red. In time the marks will become a silvery white.
     
    Noticing where I’m looking, he drops his arms to the table.
     
    “Trainer?” He sighs. “Yeah, about as well as you’d expect. I’m on a short leash with them. One more screw up and that’s it.” I could see his tongue rolling along the inside of his cheek.
     
    I know he’s remembering.
     
    “I’m sorry, I don’t mean to pry.”
     
    Shrugging, he pours himself some green tea and then offers me some too. I nod, needing to get the repugnant taste of coffee off my tongue.
     
    “Don’t worry. I told you, twelve steps. You saw me, can’t take it back now, right?”
     
    The last comes out full of vicious regret and my heart gives a painful squeeze in my chest.
     
    “So you know my secrets, what’s yours?” He smiles and I push my empty plate away.
     
    “Yeah, I don’t think so.”
     
    His lips quirk. “Thought so. You really are an angel, aren’t you? Sent from above to rescue the hero in distress.”
     
    I laugh. “Hero in distress? Don’t you mean damsel?”
     
    “Hell no.” He runs his hand down his chest. “All man here, baby.”
     
    I snort and drink, the mellow tea helps calm my suddenly frazzled nerves. This is just supposed to be lunch. Friends going out. Why does it feel like more now? Like we aren’t really strangers getting ready to become friends, but like we’re so much more, like fates been waiting for the right moment to throw us together?
     
    I don’t like this. Don’t want this.
     
    “Yeah, well,” I say more frosty than I’d intended, “Anyway, have to get back to campus.”
     
    The twinkle in his eyes dim and why the hell should that hurt me?
     
    This is too much, too soon, too real.
     
    We pay our bills and leave, the ride back much less relaxed than lunch had