Something Like This (Secrets) by Eileen Cruz Coleman Read Free Book Online Page B

together. Nothing else mattered. I was happy and I wanted him. I wanted him to kiss me forever, to make me forget my past, my sadness, my demons. His mouth was so warm and I savored his tongue with mine. I felt drunk.
    I had been kissed many times before, but I had never really experienced a real kiss, not like this. Like my sexual experiences, they were always rushed and I always had the feeling that the boy kissing me would rather have skipped straight to putting his hand down my pants.
    When Reece finally pulled his lips away from mine, he said, “You have no idea how badly I wanted to kiss you.”
    I took his hand. “I’m glad you gave in to your instincts.”
    He let out a hushed laugh and gave my hand a peck. “What now?”
    “I guess we start over.”
    He smiled. “Does this mean I can ask you out on another date?”
    “It means you can try. Just because I let you kiss me, doesn’t mean I’ll agree to going out with you again.”
    “I see, okay, well, I’ll give it a shot. Jadie?”
    “Yes?”
    He got down on one knee.
    I started to laugh. “Whoa, what are you doing?”
    “What do you think I’m doing? I’m going right to it. I mean, why take another chance at a failed date? I think we should go for it, don’t you?”
    “Stop it! Get up. You look like a crazy person.”
    “Crazy about you.”
    “If you don’t get up right this minute, I’m going to go back inside and never talk to you again.”
    He stood and put his hand over his heart. “Ouch, you win. I won’t ask you to marry me. How about we settle on a date?”
    “I think that’s a good start.”
    “How about now?”
    “Really?”
    “No, just kidding. Of course, really. I’m starving, you?”
    My stomach suddenly growled. I pressed my hand to it. Okay, okay, stop being so pushy.
    “There is an awesome Chinese carryout place a couple of blocks from here. We can grab some food and then go sit in the park,” I said.
    “Sounds perfect.”
    “Mind giving me five minutes?”
    “But of course.”
    “I’d ask you in, but I’m pretty sure Lisa will start interrogating you. It’s probably best if you wait here.”
    He nodded.
    I rushed to the bathroom to refresh myself. Comb my hair, put on some pink—no screw it, I’ll go for the red lipstick—and yep, let’s face it, my armpits could use a new layer of deodorant. Once I was satisfied with myself, I sprinted toward the door.
    “I take it all is well with Mr. Hottie,” Lisa yelled from the kitchen.
    “I’ll talk to you later,” I yelled back and disappeared through the front door.
    Reece wasn’t in the hallway. You’ve got to be kidding me!
    I made for the steps. There he was at the bottom of the staircase, a smile on his face, a single rose in his hand.
    “You look really pretty,” he said once I had joined him.
    “Is that for me?” I asked, pointing at the rose.
    “No, it’s for your roommate, Lisa,” he said, quite seriously.
    “Hate to break it to you, but she prefers lilies over roses.”
    “Ah, well, in that case, I guess I better give it to you.” He held out the rose in front of me.
    I took it. “Thank you,” I whispered. I suddenly felt very shy.
    “Thank you for agreeing to going out with me, again.”
    ***
    W e spent an hour eating, laughing, and talking in the park. He told me more about his book and I told him about the manuscripts I was reading for work and how some of them were really, really good, so good I wanted to publish them myself. It felt great to be with Reece and I wished we could stay in the park forever. A childish wish, for sure, yet I would have given anything to make it come true.
    He walked me back to my apartment building.
    “It was nice being with you,” he said.
    “I had a great time.”
    He kissed my cheek.
    “I hope your mom recovers quickly.”
    “Thank you. I’m heading back to the hospital.”
    “Let me know how she’s doing.”
    “I will.”
    “Okay, well, I’ll see you, then.”
    “Yeah, okay,” he said, not