Fall For Me ((The Tate Chronicles #1)) by K. A. Last Read Free Book Online

respect.
    “You know, you shouldn’t beat yourself up about it,” Grace said.
    What on earth is she talking about? I thought.
    “I saw what happened with Abby this morning,” she said quickly.
    “Oh, that. Yeah, I probably should have been nicer.”
    “Sometimes we think with our head, not our heart.”
    “You’re a little weird, you know that, Grace?” I said, chuckling. “How come we’ve never been friends?”
    “Different circles I guess. No reason why we can’t be friends now.”
    We stood in silence for what felt like an eternity, and all I wanted to do was reach out and touch her just to make sure she was real.
    “You’re so beautiful, you glow,” I said, closing the gap between us. We were as close as we could be without actually touching. I sensed that Grace was a little nervous and it excited me, having that effect on her. At least I knew the feeling was mutual, or I thought it was. The warmth I felt emanating from her was amazing. I could feel little sparks of electricity flying between us. She took my breath away, and all I could think about was her.
    “You know, you’re pretty easy on the eyes yourself,” she said.
    “Remind me again why we’ve never been friends?”
    “Um … Abby, you know your ex-girlfriend.”
    “Who?” I asked with a smile.
    Grace looked up at me—she was almost an entire head shorter—and for a brief moment I thought I saw apprehension in her expression.
    “What is it?” I asked, raising my hand to tuck a lock of hair behind her ear. She closed her eyes, pushed her cheek into my palm, and I felt her warmth spread through me.
    “I shouldn’t be here, with you,” she said, her eyes still closed. I put my other hand on her back and pulled her close.
    “Why? Why not?”
    I held her tightly, she put her palms on my chest and I gazed into her eyes. Behind their beautiful sparkle I could see a hint of sadness.
    “I can’t explain it to you, Josh. I just can’t.”
    I don’t think either of us knew what to say. I bowed my head and pressed my forehead to hers, wishing I knew what she was thinking. What I did next was probably the single, most stupid thing I’d done in a long time. I should have let the moment be, but instead I ruined it. The glorious kiss I imagined in my mind never eventuated. When I leant in to gently brush her lips with mine, she quickly turned away and stepped out of my embrace.
    “I’m so sorry,” she whispered. Her hand flew to her mouth. “I can’t.” Tears welled in the corners of her eyes and she blinked them away.
    I’m pretty sure my expression displayed exactly how hurt I was, and all I could do was watch her run to the path, taking the broken pieces of my heart with her.

SEVEN
     
     
    GRACE
    Monday Lunch Time
     
     
    A lone together and with no one around, I could not believe I called Josh back. What was I, crazy? This guy had me trembling with emotion and I knew it wasn’t allowed, so yeah, I called him back. Way to go, Grace, what a good way to dig your own grave.
    Josh was like an open book as he walked towards me. I could hear the thoughts bouncing around in his gorgeous head. I had to admit I liked them, but he was wondering why I’d been crying. How was I supposed to explain that? I’m crying because I’m an angel and if I fall in love with you I could be damned forever. Maybe not the answer he’d be expecting.
    He held me close, our foreheads touching, and we stood on the rock ledge with the valley spread out before us. I could feel Josh’s warm breath on my face and it felt like a thousand tiny kisses caressing my cheek. I knew what he was about to do before he did it, and I also knew I couldn’t let him. Josh leant down, intending to kiss me, and I turned my head away.
    I didn’t want to hurt him—there is no dignity in rejection—but I was overcome with a sickening, falling feeling. I quickly took a step back. I’d never experienced this feeling before, it was filled with dread, but I think I knew why it