Journey by Karina Sharp, Carrie Ann Foster, Good Girl Graphics Read Free Book Online Page B

beach.  Hand in hand, we walk in the break of the ocean’s tide.  Journey’s hair is swept up wildly each time there is a gust of wind creating shimmering trails of crimson behind her.
                  “Jack, I don’t want this to end.”
                  “I don’t either.”
                  I wonder if she’s referring to us being together beyond this week and not just vacation.
                  “No, when I say I don’t want this to end, I mean this this.  As in, what we have.”
                  Question answered…  I feel the same way, but there are so many outlying factors, that I don’t know if it’s feasible for us to expect to be together beyond these short weeks together.  I am relieved that she seems to feel the same way about us, but I am also terrified of things going horribly wrong.  She has medical school, and I have to finish grad school and business keeps me in New York at this time.  What if things don’t work out?  I can’t imagine how devastating it would be for one of us to completely change their life for the other, and it not work out.
                  Despite these reservations, I am honest when I say, “I don’t want this this to end either.”
                  “But, I don’t see how it can’t end.  I mean, we’re soon to be in completely different corners of this country.  I have med school and you have school and work.  I think it would be entirely selfish for either of us to ask the other to give up their lives.  At least for now.  On top of that, we don’t know each other outside of vacation mode.   This this could be non-existent outside of a beautiful beach with no responsibilities and nowhere else to be.”
                  “I’ve thought the exact same things and have the same concerns, but I think it might at least be worth a try.”
                  “Perhaps, but I can’t ask you to commit to someone who doesn’t even know what exactly she wants out of life and has so many commitments that must come first.”
                  “What if we compromise?  What if we communicate beyond a few annual texts?  We don’t have to commit to one another in terms of exclusivity or labels.”
                  “You mean, why don’t we act like normal people and have a friendship first, then see how it goes?”
                  “Pretty much, yeah.”
                  “I think I can manage that.”
                  “Yeah, me too.”

Chapter 6
     
    Journey
     
    Is it wrong that I’m a more than a little proud that I can keep up with Jack when it comes to drinking?  Okay, it might be, but I think I’ve finally worn down some of his defenses.  My system of giving physical affection in exchange for answers is working.  
    I’ve learned that his mother is Greek and her family was a large shipping magnate in Greece.  I now know that his parents met as his father was vacationing in Greece on a yacht, but his mother didn’t live there.  It turns out that she lived in Massachusetts, so they easily reconnected back in the states and the rest is history.  He’s told me little tidbits here and there, but is still guarded.  Regardless, some information is better than none.
    He’s like an artichoke- you have to peel off all of the little pokey leaves on the top in order to even get to the outer layers in the center.  Once you get there, you still have several layers to go through until you get to the actual heart, which is surrounded by a gorgeous purple before it’s cooked.
    “You’re an artichoke,” I say, kissing Jack on the nose.
    “I’m a vegetable?  I think it might be time to slow down on the drinks.”
    “That may be so, but you’re still a sweet, sexy artichoke.”
    “And you’re my wildflower.”
    “How’s that?”
    “You’re pretty and unique, you can thrive under any