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

life. Forcing a smile, I asked, “So, give me all the details about you and Jonathan. Spill the beans, cuz!”
    Grace’s face broke out in a smile that stretched ear to ear. I automatically knew she was smitten. “As you know, Jonathan and I hit it off talking at his bistro that day we had lunch together. That night was like a dream come true. He was every bit the gentleman, romancing me with flowers, candy, a candlelit dinner at his place and talks of seeing a movie.” She paused as a blush lit her face. “Dinner was fabulous; he really is an amazing cook. But, we never made it out to a movie, instead opting to curl up in each other’s arms on his sofa to talk and watch one of his DVDs. I feel like I could talk to him about anything and everything, Laurel,” she gushed. “I don’t even remember what we were watching because our lips locked as soon as the movie came on. Before things went any further, we found out you’d been hurt. Dillon offered to drive me to the hospital, with Jonathan insisting on coming with us, wanting to be there for all of us.”
    I was so pleased that everything appeared to be working out for Grace. It sounded like she had found her true love, someone who could see her for the wonderful woman she is, not just as an amputee.
    “Don’t go getting that starry-eyed look on your face, Laurel.” Grace raised her hands up in a halting motion. “Jonathan and I are moving way too fast and while it feels right, it scares me. I haven’t told him anything about my past other than what happened to my hand. He knows I’m a bit jumpy and independent as hell, but he’s willing to wait for me to open up. He insists he’s going nowhere and that wherever I am is where he wants to be.”
    “How bad was the apartment messed up?” I changed the subject, though not sure I really wanted to know. “I remember the flower vase breaking on the floor, but that’s about it.”
    Grace just patted my arm. “Garrett had the police and his team gather evidence and then had a cleaning crew in there before I even stepped foot inside. Neither Garrett nor Jonathan would allow me back into the apartment without a member of security or Jonathan himself. Garrett offered up the option of a hotel, his penthouse, or one of his family’s homes to stay at, but Jonathan insisted I stay with him, even before Garrett mentioned it. He went with me to the apartment to pick up a few things, too. Both of them have our best interests at heart, really.” She sighed, looking dreamily into space. “The man makes me swoon, Laurel.”
    I motioned for Grace to hand me back the cup of water. I needed to cool off from all the heat she was describing between her and Jonathan. I managed to finish the rest of it without incident. I wanted to guzzle another five cups, but that probably wasn’t wise.
    “You do realize that Garrett’s crazy about you?” she went on to add. “He hasn’t left your side for a minute unless Jonathan or I were there watching you so he could take a shower and change clothes—and usually we have to force him to do that. He’s been the one bathing you and dressing you; he won’t allow anyone else to do those things for you. He even demanded the hospital provide him a reclining chair so he could take short naps next to you. He didn’t want to let go of your hand.”
    I was taken aback by her revelations. “Why would he go to all the trouble?”
    She shook her head and looked me straight in the eyes. “He won’t admit it, but I think he loves you.”
    I took a deep breath in at her words. Could he really love me?
    “He feels responsible for everything that happened,” she explained. “He thinks if he’d just listened to his instincts and followed you downstairs after your fight, that he could’ve taken Chase and had him arrested for stalking. As it is, there’s an APB out for Chase’s arrest for assault and battery and attempted rape. There are other charges pending an investigation and your