Pretty Little Dreams by Jennifer Miller Read Free Book Online Page A

breaking me into pieces. I don’t know the right words to say, or how I can make this better. I want to make it all go away for her, but I know I can’t. At least not yet.
    “I never want to let go,” she cries, “please don’t let me go.”
    “Never… I will never let go. I missed you so much,” I wipe the tears from her face the best I can, but they continue to fall, despite my efforts. “I died a little inside every day that you were away from me. I’m so sorry, angel. I’m so, so sorry.” I stop talking because now I’m afraid I’m going to lose it too, and that’s the absolute last thing she needs to see.
    Pulling away from me, Olivia looks up at me and loosens her grip on my shirt so she can swipe at her teary eyes. Her green eyes are shining brightly from her tears and I move her hand aside and wipe them from her cheeks with my thumbs again. I lean in and place a gentle kiss on her lips, feeling her lips respond to mine immediately. My whole body responds and I can feel myself tingle in places that are highly inappropriate, given the situation. I can’t help it though; I always have this reaction around her. My body has a mind of its own. I want so much more. I need so much more. I want to crawl inside of her, take care of her, and protect her. I need it so badly, but of course, now is not the time to lose control.
    “Sorry? Why are you telling me you’re sorry? You didn’t do anything, Luke.”
    “Because I wasn’t there. I wasn’t there to keep you safe. I wasn’t there to keep this from happening to you.” My voice breaks, the pain in my chest becoming too much to hide.
    “Luke, no. I cannot handle you trying to blame yourself for this. There is only one person who’s to blame. Please, don’t say that again.”
    “But…”
    “No! I mean it. Don’t.”
    I brush her hair away from her face and lower my lips to hers. I have to. It’s a need I have no control over. I kiss her, and in that kiss, I try to convey to her every emotion I’m feeling. My despair at losing her, my desperation and determination to bring her home, and my pure joy to finally have her back again. Pulling away, I look into her eyes, hoping that mine somehow tell her everything I’m too choked up to say. I open my mouth to try and form the words, but before I can do so, we are interrupted by the door opening.
    “I just came back up real quick to bring you-” Pyper stops mid-whisper when she realizes Olivia is awake. The coffee and muffin she’s holding are forgotten and crash to the floor, and then there is nothing but a red blur as the tornado that is Pyper rushes to her best friend’s side.
    “Olivia! Oh my God, Olivia!” Pyper is sobbing and Olivia is crying in response to Pyper. I should probably back the hell up and give them their moment, but again, just thinking about moving away from Olivia’s side gives me a physical ache. I can’t make myself do it.
    “Pyper! I am so happy you are okay. I asked… him… I asked… and he told me… he told me you were, but I didn’t know if he was telling me the truth.” Olivia can barely speak in between her sobs.
    Pyper embraces Olivia and they hold onto one another and cry.

5.
    THE INTERROGATION
    Olivia

    M y room is crowded. Luke is here, plus Pyper, my mom and dad, two police officers, a doctor and a nurse. I appreciate their concern, I really do. I get that they were scared for me and need to see me, but I feel like I’m suffocating. My chest feels tight, my breath keeps catching, and already I’m picking at my new cast on my leg. It’s too much. I think it’s due in part to the fact that I know what’s coming – the dreaded questions. Just thinking about them makes my stomach twist and churn.
    The reunion with my parents was an emotional one. My mom kept running her fingers through my hair, and stroking the side of my face like I’m a little girl. Silent tears fell down her face as she told me over and over again how much she loves me. Even my