Next to Me by AnnaLisa Grant Read Free Book Online

grandmother put her in a wheelchair to get her down to the car without having to wake her, and also because there’s no way she could have carried Heather.
    This morning is one of those mornings where I fall asleep on the train countless times. It doesn’t happen very often, but sometimes an emotional time like I had with Heather can drain me. I keep waking myself up out of fear that I’ll miss my stop. I did that once and ended up walking 12 blocks back to my apartment.
    I make it to my stop and trudge to the sidewalk. It’s almost eight so I know the bakery will still have some fresh croissants. I secure my bag over my shoulder and pull the door to the bakery open. A gust of delicious air attacks my face as I inhale deeply. There is nothing like the fresh, buttery, organic smell of fresh baked goods.
    “Hi Jenna! Haven’t seen you in a while. You doin’ ok?” Amy says from behind the counter. She’s always got a sweet smile, no matter what time I show up.
    “Hey Amy! I’ve been by in the afternoon, and sometimes before work, so
    I haven’t gotten to see you. I’m good. How are you?” I peruse the case to see if there’s anything else I want in addition to my croissant.
    “I’m great! What can I get you?” she asks, prepping a bag.
    “I think I’m going to go with a couple of plain croissants and a couple of chocolate ones,” I tell her. My mouth is salivating just thinking about them. Add the coffee I’m going to get next door and I’ll be set for a perfect little breakfast before bed!
    “That’ll be $8.65,” she tells me. I pull a ten from my wallet and we exchange the croissants for the ten and my change. “Thanks, Jenna! Enjoy! Hope we get to see you soon!” she calls as I push the door open.
    “Thanks, Amy!” I call back. I’m crossing in front of the grocery store and approaching the coffee shop when I stop in my tracks. Landon is sitting at one of the café tables outside the coffee shop. It’s impossible for me to enter the coffee shop, or the building to get to my apartment, without passing right in front of him, so I suck it up and smile.
    “Hi,” I say nervously.
    “Hi,” he says with equal nervousness as he stands.
    “Um…what are you doing here?” I ask him. It seems strange that he would be here…at my coffee shop…where my apartment is…right now.
    “Would you freak out if I told you I was waiting for you?” he says with a coy smile.
    “ Are you waiting for me?” I ask a little hesitantly. I’m a little freaked out, but more excited than anything. After he disappeared that night at Duke’s I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see him again.
    “I’m only waiting for you if you think it’s sweet and charming. I just happen to be here if you think it’s creepy,” he says with a timid smile.
    “The fact that you just said that makes it kind of sweet and charming,” I tell him with a smile I’m trying not to let split my face.
    “Great! We haven’t been formally introduced,” he says. “I’m Landon Scott.”
    “Jenna Rockwell. It’s nice to meet you, Landon,” I tell him as we shake hands. Oh, God, his hands are strong. Shut up, Jenna!
    “It’s more than nice to meet you, Jenna. Can…I…buy you a cup of coffee?” he asks motioning to the door to the coffee shop.
    “Sure,” I answer with a little bit of an embarrassed smile. I’m still in my scrubs and my hair is in a crazy bun on the back of my head. And coming off a 12-hour shift, I know I look really tired.
    He opens the door to the coffee shop and we walk into an aromatic sea of the greatest scent on earth. We stand in line, both quiet as we wait for the few customers in front of us to move along. I do my best not to stare at him, but it’s difficult. He’s got this thing about wearing fitted shirts and I’m pretty sure it’s because he knows he looks totally hot in them. His tattoo is peeking out again and I fight the urge to lift his sleeve so I can see what it is. It looks Celtic, but I could