Learning to Let Go by Cynthia P. O'Neill Read Free Book Online Page A

beautiful person I’ve ever laid eyes on, Laurel. You’ll heal and be back to normal in no time. Why don’t you focus on your teeth and getting some more rest?”
    I knew he was trying to reassure me and draw my attention back to the task at hand, but that was okay. I didn’t really want to look at that broken girl anymore anyway. He kept placing gentle kisses on my forehead as I made quick work of my teeth and tried to run a brush through my hair to make it presentable. When I was through, he put everything back and carried me back to the bedroom.
    Lynne was waiting with a cup of crushed ice, water, and a couple of ibuprofen. I never knew I could be so happy over the sight of water and some anti-inflammatories. “Deidre’s preparing some chicken broth and Jell-O for you, if you can keep the water and ice down.”
    “Thank you.” I grabbed hold of the water cup with my shaky hands and took a tentative sip.
    Garrett offered to hold the cup for me, but I wanted to show everyone that I could do things on my own. Actually, I needed to prove to myself that I could still be independent and not succumb to the “victim” status that Chase loved to inflict on me.
    “Could I have a moment alone with Grace, please?” I asked loudly so everyone could hear me.
    Garrett sighed heavily, but followed everyone out. “I don’t like the idea of you being out of my sight, but I’ll be right outside the door.”
    I see he’s already back to being Mister in Control. I wouldn’t expect him to be any other way.
     

 

     
     

     
     
    When we were alone, I realized I had no clue what time it was. “What time is it?”
    Grace showed me the cordless alarm clock on the bedside table next to me. “It’s one in the morning. Jonathan and I were about to get ready for bed when we heard Garrett yell that you were awake. Why?”
    “I don’t want to talk to my parents yet, but I wanted to call Donny, let him hear my voice so he would back off of you. I heard you both talking about him being insistent with the calls lately.” My hand started to shake more, so Grace came over and took the cup from my hands before I fell to pieces.
    “Shh.” She wrapped her arms around me and gently rubbed my back with her hand. “No need to try and do everything at once. It’s late and you need to gather your thoughts and emotions before you call him. You know he’ll be able to pick up on anything in your voice and know instantly that something’s wrong.”
    I hung my head and hastily brushed my tears away. “I hate to admit it, but you’re right. I guess I should wait until sometime tomorrow or the next day.” Wait—Grace had said that “they” were getting ready for bed. “Is something going on with you and Jonathan?”
    Her face light up like a kid on Christmas morning. “Oh, Laurel!” she exclaimed, beaming like a dreamy adolescent. “He’s everything I’ve ever dreamed of and then some. We really hit it off on our date, then Dillon came to tell us that you’d been hurt and he was there for Garrett and me.” She went on and on about how Garrett insisted she leave the apartment for her safety while Chase was on the loose and how Jonathan offered up his place to stay. “After a couple days, we couldn’t fight the feelings we had for one another and decided to take things to the next level.” She wiggled her eyebrows suggestively, as a smile crept across her face, indicating exactly what she meant by “the next level.”
    “I’m so happy for you!” I cried, the loudness of my voice surprising me. I truly was. Grace had been through a lot of heartache and had her own bad experiences with men. She needed someone warm and caring like Jonathan. “I’m glad Garrett had the foresight to keep you from the apartment, too,” I continued. “Chase knows we’re related and best friends. I’m sure he’d stop at nothing to try and get to me, especially now.”
    I looked over to Grace, needing to focus on something other than my own