Embrace by Melissa Toppen Read Free Book Online

go.
                  “Tell me about it.” She crosses the bar and flips the main light switch which kills every light in the bar except for a dim overhead light by the main entrance.
                  “Well let me know if anything changes. Guess I'll just have to see if Carv will go with me, though I can't see him being to overly excited about it. Neither him nor Em understand my choice in music.” I laugh when a look of disgust crosses Becca's face.
                  “Losers.” She says, holding the door open for me.
                  “Yeah, tell me about it.” I laugh, a small chill running through me as I step out into the night air.
                  “See you tomorrow Grace.” She laughs, pulling the door closed as I begin making my way down the sidewalk towards my apartment building.
                  A light breeze whips through my hair and I close my eyes, inhaling deeply before opening them again. The weather is absolutely perfect at this time of night, especially considering that during the day the temperatures are bordering around ninety degrees. While Colorado sees similar weather, it's so much more humid on the east coast.
                  I make it home in the matter of minutes and can't be more relieved when my body finally collapses on the couch, too tired to even make it to my bed at the moment.
                  Normally the late nights don't bother me, but I have had so much trouble sleeping here recently, by the time I make it home I feel like a zombie and can't help but wonder how I am still functioning.
     
    ****
                 
                  “Gracie. Grace.” Carver's voice pulls me from my restless sleep. I peel one eye open to peer up at him and am greeted by a wide smile. “Mornin.” He chuckles, watching me try to pull myself into a sitting position.
                  “Morning.” I manage to croak out, trying to stretch out my tight back muscles from sleeping on the couch.
                  “Why are you out here?” He asks, plopping down next to me and pulling my feet into his lap.
                  Slouching back down into the couch cushions, I prop myself up with one of the sofa pillows and try to make myself semi-comfortable, not yet feeling the energy to get up and go to my room.
                  “I laid down thinking I would watch a little television before bed. Guess I fell asleep before I even turned the T.V. on.” I get out on a yawn.
                  “You're going to have the worst back ache if you spend anymore time on this lumpy old thing. Trust me, I fell asleep out here one night and felt like I couldn't stand up straight for two days.” He says on a laugh.
                  “Yeah, I think I'll go to my room now.” I say, grabbing his hands and pulling myself into a sitting position before throwing my legs over the side of the couch.
                  “Before I forget, Alec got me tickets to see Raining Strange at the Mercury Lounge on Friday. I wanted to see if maybe you would want to go with me.” I say, plastering on a begging smile.
                  Based on the way his face drops, I already know the answer. “Shit Gracie, I wish I could but I actually have a date Friday night.” He says, his forehead scrunching together in apology.
                  “A date huh? Who's the special lady?” I ask, nudging him with my shoulder.
                  “Just some girl from the office.” He says, bumping his shoulder back into mine. “I could always reschedule.” He says, reaching out to push my tangled hair behind my shoulder.
                  “Don't be ridiculous, I'm sure I can find someone else to go. You go on your hot date and then come home and tell me all about this mystery woman from the office.” I say, giving him a