Surviving Love (Montana Wilds Book 1) by Willow Summers Read Free Book Online Page A

curiosity.
    “I gave you a bloody nose,” she said with a laugh. “I wasn’t ready for kissing boys. You were older.”
    “And are you now?” His voice was so deep. So soft.
    That pleasant hum heated, turning into something suggestive.
    The icy tendrils of fear gripped her, pain and insecurity bubbling up. The memory of Phil driving away accosted her. Tore at her.
    Her eyes widened in shock. She loosened her hand from his.
    “No, I mean, have you moved on? Put your ex behind you?” Mikey said hastily, dropping his hand. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to imply…”
    “Oh no.” She waved the thought away. “No, of course you didn’t. Duh! No, I know. Just surprised me, is all.”
    She sucked in a deep breath and let the relieved sigh tumble out, taking all her insecurity with it. This was Mikey! He was almost family, not to mention Mr. Lady-Killer. No way was he coming on to her!
    “What’s funny?” he asked.
    She rolled her eyes. “I’m dumb. Anyway, in answer to your question, no, I’m not ready. Truthfully, I don’t know that I’ll be ready again. I don’t think I love him anymore. Haven’t for a while, if I’m extremely honest with myself. But then, I stopped loving myself, too…”
    She turned away, looking out at the night. She wasn’t ready to admit the depth of how Phil had hurt her. Saying it out loud, admitting her lack of worth—she wasn’t strong enough yet not to believe it.
    “I’ll never push you, Sara, you know that,” Mikey said quietly, gentle words on a breeze. “But I always have an ear open, should you need it. Please know that.”
    “I know,” she whispered. “I’m just not ready for a lot of things, I guess.”
    “That’s to be expected. Time is a great healer, though.”
    “So they say.”
    “Yes, they do. Or why else would they put it in a fortune cookie, which is where I got that excellent cliché.”
    Laughter bubbled up despite her mood. She leaned so her head could rest on his shoulder. “You always knew just what to say.”
    “Lies.”
    “Not lies. I’m just gently bending the truth.”
    He huffed out a laugh, and then fell into comfortable silence.
    Sara stared out at the shimmering stars. On that ledge, it was like the world dropped away and they were floating together in the syrup of the Milky Way. Her muscles relaxed as she leaned into him more heavily, craving his warmth. Remembering the companionship and closeness forged with popping bubble gum and skinned knees. Lord, she had missed this. Missed the contentment of it.
    All too soon, though, Mikey reached into his pocket and brought out his phone. The world obtrusively lit up. From the glow, she could see him grimace. A moment later, he slowly stood up and reached down a hand for her.
    Once she was standing, he said, “I have a feeling that you haven’t changed all that much. Or why would you be here, in your childhood dream?”
    Sara wormed her arm through his, turning solemn. “Working as a waitress isn’t really the dream, but yeah, the responsible job I had didn’t make as much sense anymore. I just figured I might get out there and experience some life.”
    As they came back in sight of the fire pit, half a dozen girls glanced their way. Only one or two went back to what they were doing. The rest stared at Mikey, tracking his progress as he approached.
    Sara grinned, about to comment, then he stopped. He turned to her, his face serious. “My dream was to be G.I. Joe. There is always a way to claim what’s ours if we keep our eye on the prize. Okay?”
    “Um… yes. Got it.”
    “Give me your phone.”
    Sara dug in her hoody pocket and produced a smartphone. He quickly pecked at the face and then handed it back. “My number’s in there. The service out here is spotty at best, but call me anytime. Preferably more often than anytime. And leave messages. Or text. Texting works usually.”
    “Definitely.” She bobbed her head, clutching the phone tightly.
    He lifted her hand to his mouth like