Second Chances by Evan Grace Read Free Book Online Page B

the sides out. They sat and dug in, enjoying the food and company.
     
    ***
     
    Stacy finished the last of her burger and leaned back in her chair with sigh. She shook her head as she watched Dustin finish off a second burger. It was no fair that guys could eat like that and still remain fit. Granted, she knew he did a lot of physical labor and worked out, but still; guys had it easy.
    “Did you get enough to eat?” she asked, her voice laced with sarcasm.
    Stacy smiled as Dustin started to laugh. “Yeah, I’m a growing boy, you know.”
    “You are so full of shit, Dustin,” she said as she got up and started clearing the dishes.
    “Wait, I’ll help you,” Dustin said with his hand on her forearm.
    “Nope, you cooked and I’ll clean up. Do you want another beer?”
    “Sure, thanks.”
    Stacy grabbed the plates and utensils, carrying them into the house. She returned to the deck to grab the condiments and took those inside as well. On her way back out she grabbed another beer for Dustin and another frozen drink for herself.
    She settled herself back into the seat next to Dustin. They both settled back in their chairs watching the birds fly around his backyard in a companionable silence. Stacy kicked off her flip-flops and tucked her legs under her bottom.
    It felt natural when she leaned into Dustin, resting her head on his shoulder.
    “Thanks for dinner,” she said, sighing.
    She felt him kiss the top of her head. “It was my pleasure. I’ve got a movie for us to watch, too. Just let me know when you’re ready to go inside.”
    Stacy and Dustin sat outside sipping their drinks until the sun started to set. They grabbed their empty glass and bottle and brought them inside.
    After everything was cleaned up, Dustin sent Stacy to go wait in the living room. She sank down into his overstuffed couch. Stacy could hear him tinkering around in the kitchen and came out a minute later with two bowls of ice cream.
    It made Stacy’s heart swell that he was doing all of this for her. She knew that she loved him, but she’d never tell him that. Was it wrong for her that she dated someone for three months even though she was in love with another? Maybe it was, but she knew that Dustin didn’t do the long term thing and Stacy didn’t think she could take it if he ever broke her heart.
    None of it made sense to her. She was with Brian for a couple of years, but she never felt for him what she did for Dustin. Maybe it was because he treated her so well. He made her feel special, even though they were just friends.
    Stacy wished that she wouldn’t have been so scared that he’d end up hurting her that she didn’t even give him a chance to prove he wouldn’t.
    “Earth to Stacy.” She shook her head as Stacy snapped out of her thoughts. Dustin was leaning towards her with a goofy grin on his face.
    “Sorry,” Stacy said with a sheepish grin.
    “That’s okay. What’s on your mind?” Dustin picked up her hand, kissing her knuckles.
    How was she supposed to think when he did that? “I was just thinking how nice tonight’s been. You spoil me, you know that?”
    “It’s my pleasure. You ready to watch a movie?” He stood and picked up a DVD case off of his entertainment center.
    “It depends. Are you going to make me watch some movie that’s gonna scare the crap out of me? You know I hate those movies.” Stacy didn’t mind the Freddy, Jason or Michael movies because they were slightly comical, but she couldn’t do any of those paranormal movies or zombies.
    Last time he got her to watch one she didn’t sleep for a couple of days, and when she did, she left all of her lights on.
    “I promise it’s not anything like that. I’m going to suffer through your favorite movie,” Dustin said with a wink and then popped it in the DVD player.
    Stacy couldn’t contain the squeal that left her mouth. “Aww. You got me Say Anything !”
    She’d told him once that it was one of her all-time favorite movies. Granted