Chasing Jenna by Micki Fredricks Read Free Book Online Page A

window. As much as I had wanted it – it gnawed at my heart. How could I have let that happen? I knew better. This was insane. I needed to take myself out of this fantasy world. Cale was not an option for me, and he was definitely not interested in me. Saturday night was nothing more than a nice guy, coming to my room to get to know me better. Things got out of hand – lines were crossed. I let him into my room at 11:30 at night when I knew nothing about him. What kind of message did I send? I knew what kind; come in, lie on my couch, tell me your life story, and touch me inappropriately.
    But we did talk, a lot. We told each other about our families and our future plans. Do you do that with someone you are hoping to have a one night stand with? I was clueless about these sorts of things.
    My stomach twisted inside of me, making me nauseous. How stupid could I be to let some guy I don’t even know, into my room? This was a serious lapse of common sense. I told him my whole life story, without even thinking about how that would look or sound to someone like Cale. He had everything, I barely had anything.
    Sunday morning Katie and I dissected every possibility of why he had shown up. She was convinced he was interested in me and probably already wanted to get married. Her fantasy included beautiful babies running around in designer diapers and navy polos, calling her Aunt Katie.
    I was positive her ‘ sunny side up’ attitude about everything was going to make me jump off the fire escape.
    My take on things; he was a nice guy and probably could see how unstable I was. He was checking up on me to make sure I was settled. There was no way this guy was interested in me. I had nothing to offer him and I was pretty sure if I didn’t stop obsessing about it, I was going to lose my mind.
    Katie disliked my take on it as much as I did hers.
    The elevator doors jerked opened, startling me back into reality. I tucked all of my Cale daydreams away so I could focus on my day. Like the follower I was, I mindlessly trailed behind the line of students heading toward the front door. Focus, I needed to focus on school. That’s why I was here. Not for all of this other silly stuff.
    An unexpected tap on my shoulder startled me and I spun around. Cale jumped back with his arms crossed in front of his face.
    “Cale!” I said with a playful slap in his direction. Goodbye focus .
    “Didn’t you learn your lesson last time?
    “Excuse me Miss, but it looks like you’re lost,” he said pointing at my map.
    “You know I’m lost.” I snapped back, not realizing until it was out of my mouth how stupid it made me sound.
    He laughed out loud and it was a wonderful sound. I laughed with him while my heart thumped hard against my chest, reminding me of Saturday and what happened when he was near.
    “Would you like an escort to your first class? I don’t have to be in class until 8:30.”
    “Really? That would be wonderful. My first class is beginning journalism. It’s in the communications building, room 346.” I held out the map and tried to point out the building.
    “Jenna,” he softly said as he pushed the map down. “I know where that is.” He lifted his eyebrows playfully and smiled.
    “Okay college boy, let’s go then.”
    I followed him out the doors and into the foggy, fall morning. The heaviness of the air penetrated my clothes and made everything thick and cool. I knew the weather was fickle this time of year and it would be warm by the afternoon, but that didn’t help me now. I trembled and wrapped my arms around myself. The sun was making a pathetic attempt to warm things, but seemed to be just for show.
    “Would you like my sweatshirt?”
    “Well,” I said, hesitant to take it. He stopped and stripped it off before I could say anymore.
    “Jenna, I can see you shivering.” He held it up, making it easier for me to slip into.
    I was suddenly surrounded by his warmth and scent. It was heavenly. He watched as I folded