Wings Over Poppies (Over #2) by J.A. DeRouen Read Free Book Online Page A

things. Things much larger than I will ever be.”
    She shakes head vigorously in disagreement, but I hold my hand up to stop her from arguing.
    “Alex, I need you to hear what I’m saying. If I pull you to me right this minute, if I kiss those beautiful lips and hold you in my arms, if I let you own me completely, I won’t be strong enough to let you go.”
    “You could always come with me.” She looks hopeful as she watches me intently through wet lashes.
    “You know I can’t do that. It’s not who I am. I can’t leave my family, my responsibilities.”
    “I don’t even know why we’re talking about New York. My parents will never let me go. As far as they’re concerned, the check was written to Tulane the moment I left the womb. It’s a done deal.”
    “And you’re just going to accept that? I’ve never known you to be the type to give up. I’m sure they offered you some type of scholarship, right?” She avoids my gaze, and I bend down lower to meet her eyes. “I’m right, aren’t I?”
    “Tuition and board,” she says reluctantly, “but can I just take off knowing they disapprove? I don’t know … I’m not sure.”
    “You can, and you will. The real question is … can you live with the regret you’ll feel if you let this opportunity pass you by?”
    The seconds stretch to minutes as she lets the possibilities roll through her mind.
    “I don’t think I can.”
    There’s a mixture of hope and mischief in her expression, and I can’t help but grin back. I instinctively grab her hands and squeeze.
    “I’m doing this!” I can hear the resolve in her voice, and I couldn’t be happier for her. I swallow my selfishness and focus on the most beautiful girl, inside and out, realizing her dream.
    “You’re doing this.” I laugh and nod my head.
    How in the hell did we end up here? I came here today to convince Alex I’m not a douchebag and to let me back into her life. Instead, I’ve talked her into moving clear across the continent. No wonder my life is such a mess.
    “Look, Alex, I don’t know what the future holds for us long term. Who knows, maybe our paths will cross again when you’re a world-renowned artist and I’m someone … else. But I hope you’ll let me be your friend right now. There’s nothing I’d rather do than spend the next few months with you. I don’t think I can take one more day of you avoiding me.”
    Her sweet smile gives me my answer before she says a word.
    “Of course, West. I don’t know how much longer I could have kept it up anyway. Fighting with you makes me feel off balance. When I’m away from you my thoughts are, I don’t know … scrambled? Fighting with you is bad for my imagination.” She shakes her head and giggles.
    “That’s because you need to sketch this glorious body for inspiration. I told you from day one I had glory, Poppy Girl.”
    “Yes, you sure did.”
    Her smile is beautiful as always, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. It’s almost reminiscent, like she’s already beginning her goodbye. I can’t think that way. I’m going to spend these months making every second count, because I know deep down this is all I’ll ever have of her.
    “West?”
    “Yeah?”
    “I have a beautiful turquoise ring that will complement your nails nicely,” she says with a giggle.
    “Now, you’ve done it, Pop.” I laugh as I drop her golf bag on the ground and take off after her at full speed.
    She runs away while chancing quick looks behind her to mark my location. Her lyrical laugh … her unruly blond waves … her dancing cerulean eyes. They all mean one thing to me.
    Pure. Fucking. Perfection.

 
    “ Chasing Cars ” by Snow Patrol
     
     
    “TELL ME SOMETHING I don’t know, West.” I tip my head back and meet his playful gaze. I love these quiet mornings together.
    My head is resting in his lap as he leans back against our tree. The sunlight filters through the leaves and warms my legs, feeling like a blanket draped over me.