Man of My Dreams by Faith Andrews Read Free Book Online

encounter with Noah taint my feelings for Declan.
    Less than twenty-four hours ago I was reeling to introduce him to my parents and Grace. Today I wonder if our plans are premature. If seeing Noah and hearing his intentions can unravel me this way and plant this unexpected seed of doubt in my head, then maybe my feelings weren’t as strong as I thought.
    Believe it or not, it’s Grace who makes me realize I’m being irrational. “Mia, I’ve heard you swoon over Declan. The two of you can’t seem to get enough of each other. Shit, you’re bringing him home to meet your damn parents. Even when you were drooling over Noah, you never lit up the way you do when you talk about Declan. Last night was a fluke. You’re just all nostalgic. Nothing more, nothing less.”
    I’m not sure when Grace became the voice of reason; I must have missed it while I was away at school. But I try with all my might to fight this urge to find Noah and give in to the curiosity that kept me up most of the night.
    I think I still need more coaxing. Someone to tell me I’m being ridiculous. “Grace, what if I’m walking away from what is supposed to be? I didn’t have the balls to confront him in high school and maybe that’s because he never seemed interested, but last night, he was very interested. Grace, he made me feel all dizzy and giddy and…oh, God, I wanted him to kiss me. I wanted it so bad. And he did too . I’ll never get the image of those gorgeous, sexy eyes staring at my lips out of my head.” I think that image will forever be branded in my brain.
    “Oh please, would’ve, could’ve, should’ve. I’m telling you you’re reading too deep into it. Sure, maybe he wanted to kiss you, but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to be your boyfriend. Not the kind of boyfriend that Declan is. You told me yesterday that he’s the one, now you’re second guessing yourself because of one minor brush with an insignificant kiss with someone from the past? I thought you were supposed to be the sensible one. Think clearly for a second.”
    And I do. I force myself to think rationally about what it would feel like to see Declan every day at school and not be his. To break his heart for a maybe chance with someone who can only give me long distance, if that’s even what he wants. Suddenly, images that enrage me corrupt my mind—Declan walking on campus with his arm around another girl; singing to her on stage at the Alibi; kissing her by our bus stop. I come to my senses.
    I’ve been able to live without Noah for a long time now, but the idea of living without Declan is unfathomable. I breathe a sigh of relief, content with the decision to forget everything that happened last night. I check the time, shaking all the worry from my head. “Thank you, Grace. I don’t know what I’d do without you. Or Declan. I’m sorry for being such a basket case.”
    She gives me a tight squeeze and then pinches my nose between her fingers. “Glad I could help. Now let’s go get ready. I’m excited to finally meet the guy who won your heart and made you kick your ridiculous dreams of Noah Matheson to the curb.”
    When Declan pulls up to my parent’s house, all the mind-blowing feelings rush back to me like a massive tidal wave engulfing the shore. I smile as he steps out of the car and meets my gaze. His eyes light up with a radiance that would put the Macy’s fireworks display to shame. Seeing that I do that to him stills my racing heart.
    I run over to him, unable to wait a minute longer to wrap my arms around him. “Hi, babe. I missed you.” I kiss him with my arms around his neck.
    He lifts me up, squeezing my waist. “I missed you too,” he says against my lips before deepening the kiss.
    In a matter of mere moments, we are lost in each other, using the side of his car for leverage. Beyond the rush of blood thumping in my ears, I hear giggling followed by the stern, annoyed sound of a throat clearing. I reluctantly break away from our