Second Chances - Unraveling Part 32

I turned around to face the kind looking woman. "They're stunning," I said, itching to reach my hand out and touch one.

The one I was most enamored by was of a sunset over a river. The trees and surrounding fauna were muted, the artist having chosen to focus on the sun and its reflection on the water. The water was so realistic that I was sure if I touched the canvas it would be wet.

I could hear Jared walking around the shop and speaking with the woman, but I was rooted to the spot.

I didn't want to leave here without that picture.

I cleared my throat and the woman and Jared stopped talking. "Yes dear?" she asked.

"I want this," I pointed over my shoulder at the canvas.

"It's expensive," she gave me a sympathetic look.

"I can afford it," I told her. Or rather, my mother could afford it.

"Okay," she said, coming over and removing the artwork from the wall. She rang it up and I slid a credit card across the counter.

"This is one of my favorites," she said, wrapping up the painting.

I signed the receipt she had handed to me.

"Here you go dear," she handed me a bag with the wrapped canvas.

Jared and I decided it would be better to go back to his car and leave the painting in it, than to carry it around all day.

On our way back from the car I spotted a shop that looked like it had a little of everything and Jared followed me inside.

The smell of coffee filled the homey shop. The walls were painted a golden yellow with cobalt blue trim. It seemed odd, but somehow it worked.

I got distracted by row after row of handmade wind chimes. I fingered one and smiled as the little bells dinged.

"Hey, look at this," Jared said from behind me.

I turned around and found him standing there with a dream catcher.

"To keep your nightmares away," he said, flicking it.

I watched it sway back and forth. "I don't think anything is going to keep them away better than you," I said, softly.

Jared grinned. "I'm buying it, anyway."

He bought the dream catcher, and something else he wouldn't let me see, before we went to the next store.

This one was full of candles, and Jared turned around pretty immediate, mumbling about getting a headache from the smell.

I laughed and gave the woman working there a sympathetic smile before running after Jared.

"Sorry," he said, stopping so that I could catch up to him. "I shouldn't have gone in there. Candles give me a headache."

I laughed. "Then why did you?"

"I wasn't paying attention," he chuckled. "I'll be on high alert now." He motioned to a small bookstore. "Want to go in there?"

"Sure," I said.

Jared opened the door and I stepped inside the small shop.

Every surface, even most of the floor, was covered in books, old and new.

I picked one up because I liked the cover and flicked through the first few pages, before skipping to the end.

"That's cheating," Jared said, his voice thick and syrupy, and close to my ear. I s.h.i.+vered at the proximity.

"No, it's not," I turned away from him and went back to skimming.

He chuckled. "It is. You're supposed to read the whole thing before you get to the end."

"I want to make sure there's a happy ending," I explained. "I hate reading a book where I'm completely invested with the characters and then there's no happily ever after. Life doesn't have one, but books should."

"We'll have to agree to disagree," Jared said huskily. "Do you read a lot?"

"No," I put the book down. "I used to read more but now I just get bored with it."

"Why do you think that is?" Jared asked, leaning against a wobbly shelf. I worried for a second that it was going to topple over, but it righted itself.

"I don't know," I shrugged, picking up another book. "I guess so many books are just so full of drama and I mean, I get it. I do. It would be a pretty boring book without the drama. I just don't like it," I shrugged again.

"Hmm," Jared mused, quietly from the corner.

"What are you thinking?" I put the other book down and put my hands in my pockets.

"You're very strange, Katy Spencer, but I wouldn't have you any other way," he said, his brown eyes warming as he looked me up and down.

I melted under his heady gaze. "I could say the same about you, Jared."

He chuckled and pulled away from the bookcase. "Yeah, you could, kitten." He clutched his bag from the one store and asked, "Are you done here?"

"Nooo," I drew out the word. "We've only been here five minutes, and you've done nothing but question the way I choose a book and tell me I'm strange," I winked.

He laughed and rubbed his jaw.

"Okay, look all you want," he motioned to all the books. "Don't mind me, I'll just be standing here."

I laughed at him. "Yeah, standing there, glaring at me because I peek at the end."

He threw his head back and laughed, a real belly laugh. "You're right about that. Here's a wild idea, don't peek at the end."

"But then how will I ever choose a book?" I batted my eyelashes.

Yep, batted them. Who the h.e.l.l was I?

"Maybe, you should try what normal people do. Pick a book up and read the summary. That's how most people choose one," he said, picking up a book and handing it to me.

I read the back and put it down.

I picked up another because I thought it had a really pretty cover. I could feel Jared's eyes boring into me and resisted the urge to scan the ending. I kept a firm grip on the back and read the summary. It sounded good, so I tucked it under my arm. I still itched to read the ending, but I was afraid Jared might go into cardiac arrest if I did.

My hands twitched as I reached for another book.

Jared's chuckle filled the small shop. "It's killing you, not knowing the ending, isn't it?"

"Yeah," I said, skimming my hand over the various covers. "I'm already living on the edge with you. I might as well be really dangerous and buy a book without knowing how it ends," I grinned at him.

Jared laughed and the sound sent warm tingles down my spine. I loved it when I made him laugh.

I bought three books, not reading the end on any of them.

We crossed the street and perused some more stores before we both grew hungry.

"This place looks good," Jared pointed to a small diner.

"Works for me," I shrugged. "I'm starving."

We slid into a bright red booth and a waitress appeared with menus. She took our drink order before leaving.

"See anything good?" Jared asked.

"I think I'll get a turkey club," I sat the menu down and slid it over to the edge so that the waitress would be able to easily grab it and I wouldn't have to risk being touched if I handed it to her myself. "What about you?"

Jared continued to scan the menu.

When the waitress came back with drinks, I gave her my order and then we waited on Jared.

I don't think the girl minded it though. She used the time to shamelessly check him out. Instead of feeling jealous or angry, like most girls would, I felt bad for Jared. Everywhere we went women, of any age, ogled him.

"Um..." Jared said. "I'll get the specialty burger, no mayo and extra mustard."

"I'll put that right in," the girl said, taking the menus and spinning around. Her skirt flared up, but I guess that's what she'd been aiming for. Jared was oblivious, though.

"So," he leaned towards me, close enough that I could see gold flecks in his eyes, "are you enjoying today?"

"Of course," I said, taking a sip of water.

"Would you be enjoying it if I wasn't here?" he questioned, tilting his head.

"No," I answered, honestly.

A smile lit his face. "I'm glad you enjoy my company, kitten."

I laughed, twirling my straw around the gla.s.s, making the ice clink. "I love your company."

"And why is that, Katy?" he batted his lashes, goading me.

I pretended to think. "I know it has nothing to do with the fact that I love you."

Jared chuckled, sitting back and brus.h.i.+ng a hand over his jaw. "Of course not."

I shook my head, looking down at the table. "I'm still mystified that I've fallen for you."

Jared snorted. "Why is that so hard to believe?"

"I don't mean it that way, I just mean... I love you. I really do. I never thought I'd love anyone. In fact, I was convinced that there's no such thing as true love. How can you care for someone, so unconditionally? It just doesn't seem possible. I thought love had to be a myth. I had no reason to believe in its truth, until I met you. Jared, not only did you break down all my walls, but you proved everything I believed in wrong." I wrapped my arms around myself. "I've never, in all my life, been so happy to be wrong."

Jared smiled. "Kitten, I'll prove you wrong anytime."

I laughed, drawing random circles on the black, polished, surface of the table. I ran my fingers through my hair and finally spoke. "I used to wonder, what the meaning of love is... and then I realized something. There is no meaning, no definition, for love. It's simply a feeling, an unexplainable feeling that so few have. But I have that with you."

Jared smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "I couldn't agree more."

I let my hands drop into my lap. I was doing far too much fidgeting.

"If someone had told me six months ago, that I'd be in some random town, with a guy I'd only know a few months, I'd have told them they were crazy." I shook my head. "It's amazing how quickly everything can change."

"It is," Jared agreed. "But I'd say things have changed for the better, wouldn't you?" he raised a brow, waiting for my reply.

"I would," I undid the napkin that was wrapped around the fork and knife. "Things have definitely changed for the better... even the accident changed me for the better. Without it... I don't if-"

"You don't know if you'd ever have let me touch you?" Jared interjected.

"Yeah," I nodded, sadly. "And I don't know if I would have ever touched you."

Jared nodded, staring into the green depths of his gla.s.s of Mountain Dew. "You would have," he finally said, "it just would have taken a while. I want you to know," he leaned across the table, his arms crossed and biceps bulging, "that I'll never push you for more. I've told you before, but I'm going to say it again. You're in control of this, Katy," he wiggled his finger between the two of us. "Believe me, I want more with you, Katy. G.o.d," he moaned, "I want all of you. But I will never push you for more. You set the pace."

I swallowed, a blush spreading from cheeks down to my neck. My hands started to shake.

Jared Reed wanted all of me.

But he also wanted me to set the pace... That would be... difficult. I didn't want Jared to be domineering... but sometimes I needed a little push. Like in the hospital, when he said he needed to touch me, or when he asked if I'd like to touch him.

I was afraid if he didn't give me a nudge, we'd never move past just touching.

I guess I was just going to have to start taking the reins.

I could do this.

I could set the pace.

I could do more, with Jared... eventually.