Tragically Wounded by Angelina Rose Read Free Book Online

over later? We can have some dinner and practice?"
    "Yeah, sure," Toni said absently. "Wait, why tonight? I thought we could just go back to your place now."
    I mentally cringed. Great. How was I supposed to get out of this one? "I have plans this afternoon."
    "With who?"
    "Sean."
    "You're seeing him again?"
    "It's just for lunch, Toni." My tone was cautionary, laced with warning for her to drop it right now.
    "If you say so."
    I gathered my purse and left the studio. Toni wasn't far behind and I knew from the look on her face that she was up to no good. Okay, so maybe that wasn't completely accurate. Her last brilliant idea of inviting Sean to the symphony had turned out to be pretty friggin' incredible.
*****
    I arrived at the VA Center to find Sean outside waiting for me. He was dressed casually in jeans and a polo shirt, a picnic basket in one hand, and a blanket draped over the other. His hair was tousled by the light breeze, making him look ruggedly handsome. After seeing him in his dress uniform last night I didn't think it was possible for him to look any better, but at that moment, he did.
    "Hi," I said with a smile as I approached him.
    He leaned over and gave me a kiss on the cheek. "Hey," he said. "I'm so glad you were able to make it."
    I felt myself blush and mentally cursed. Why did I always have to do that? It was so embarrassing. It's not like I was a teenage girl with my first crush. "Did you have doubts?" I asked.
    Sean shrugged. "I didn't know if maybe practice ran long or something." He took my hand and laced our fingers. "Ready?" He smiled.
    "Yes." I loved the feel of his warm hand entwined with mine. We walked in silence for a few moments, enjoying the scenery, sounds, and smells of early summer. It was my favorite time of the year. I noticed Sean was walking slowly, with a bit of difficulty. "Does it hurt?" I asked. "The prosthesis, I mean."
    "A little," he admitted. "I've worn it more these past few days than I have in the past three months. It's just going to take some getting used to. Dr. Barnes says it's good for me to use it as much as possible."
    I nodded, "You don't have to wear it on my account, y'know. I'm okay if you need to use your wheelchair."
    "Really?" He turned to look at me, as if he didn't believe a word I'd just said. "Thank you," he said, bringing my hand to his lips and giving it a kiss. I really liked when he did that. "So, how was practice?"
    I frowned. "Not so good." I told him about how I messed up, conveniently leaving out that it was thoughts of him that had caused it and how Sarah and I got into an argument. I left out the part where Sarah had called him a cripple, though.
    "I'm sorry things didn't go so well."
    "Thanks." I smiled. The more time I spent with Sean, the more comfortable I felt with him. It was easy to talk to him. I felt like I could tell him anything and he'd just listen without judgment. Not many people had the ability to do that. I suddenly realized I wanted to spend more time with him, every spare moment if possible, just so I could get to know him better. That was probably wishful thinking, though. For all I knew, he might not like me once he got to know me better. Wow, that was a depressing thought. 
    "We're here," Sean said, interrupting my ruminations.
    I looked around and was in awe. There was a large pond in the center of a clearing surrounded by large pine trees and weeping willows. Cat-tails and feather-grass grew wildly around colorful snapdragons and day lilies. Ducks floated lazily on the water. "It's amazing," I whispered, turning in a complete circle, taking in all the scenery.
    "I knew you'd love it," he said, looking at me with a twinkle in his big, brown eyes.
    "I do."
    "Good," he winked.
    I followed him toward the opposite end of the clearing and we spread the blanket out on the ground. He set the picnic basket down and lowered himself to the blanket. I sat beside him, propping my hands behind me, crossing my ankles, and tilting my head