Clementine by R. Jean Wilson Read Free Book Online Page B

until she became too stuck on their idiosyncrasies to keep the relationship going. She had let one or two of them get close to her physically, but none of them set her heart on fire the way she knew it was meant to when you found someone special. She thought back to the warmth that spread through her body when Holden had barely touched her hand at dinner. It was a platonic touch but it felt more alive than any of the hugs or kisses she’d shared with the guys from her past. Maybe he had a minty lotion on and I just thought that it was him sending tingles through my hand. She smiled, knowing she was being ridiculous trying to talk herself out of feeling any sort of attraction toward Dr. Taylor.
    A beat later, their chemistry professor entered the room, pulling Addison out of her daze and reminding her that she only had ten more minutes to review before the exam. I’ll just have to keep Holden at bay. He may have an odd familiarity about him, but it’s not worth the pain that would ensue if I let myself get close to him.
     
     
    Addison walked out of her final exam and stopped to take a deep breath and appreciate being undeniably done. The warm Texas sun beat down on her when she pushed through a set of double doors and she was glad she didn’t have a long walk to her car. She twisted her hair into a simple bun at the nape of her neck as she pulled her phone from her purse. She had two text messages waiting for her. The first was from Alicia, explaining that Addison was going out with her that night to celebrate the end of finals “whether she wanted to or not”. Addison half smiled to herself, loving how well her friend knew her. The second text was from an unknown number.
     

     
    Addison’s heart sped as she read his name on her phone screen. She read the text twice more before trusting that she’d read his name right. Calm down, she thought to herself as she felt her hand shaking as she began to type back a response.
     

     
    She paused before hitting send, hoping that she’d responded well enough. She couldn’t help thinking back to what Stacy said about the countless women giving Holden attention.
    Her phone didn’t vibrate again until she’d almost reached her car.
     

     
    Addison sat in her car smiling ear to ear. He is totally asking me out on a date. He didn’t call it a date, but it is right? I guess friends can go kayaking? She waited a few minutes to hit send on her response, not wanting to seem overly excited.
     

     
                  He hadn’t even given her the option to decline. Smug, hot, man. She was used to having the upper hand in situations like this and with Holden it was the exact opposite. She tried to think back to other first dates she’d had. She’d always been happy to take guys up on the offer to go out, but none of those moments compared to the adrenaline pumping through her veins at the idea of an entire morning spent with Holden.

Chapter 5
     
    The warm night air wrapped around her as Addison drove to the bar with Alicia. The car windows were rolled down and she focused her attention on the city lights flashing around them. She was glad she had decided on a cream tank top and lavender flowy skirt for the evening. The combination made her feel beautiful without being too constricting. She relaxed back in her seat and looked toward her friend.
    “I’m so excited you’re finally done with class. We have some major catching up to do,” Alicia spoke, keeping her eyes on the road. Addison smiled, pushing a few strands of hair away from her face only to have the wind whip them right back. The crisp night air felt too enticing to roll the window up though.
    “I agree. Let’s just hangout twenty-four seven.”
    “How about you split time between me and Dr. Taylor?” Alicia suggested.
    “Alicia! You’re going to make me think there’s something more going on than there really is...” Addison spoke guardedly.
    “Relax Addison, I know you just have a silly