Intentional Read Online Free PDF Page B

and laughs hard.
    I start laughing with him. “Okay, I guess that was a stupid question.”
    He shakes his head. “No, not stupid, just funny!”
    I have to know. “So explain to me how this house is so clean.”
    He guides me over to the couch and sits next to me. A little smile appears on his lips. “You’ve found me out. It’s my deep, dark secret.” I wait for him to continue. He takes a deep breath. “I like to clean.”
    It takes me a minute to connect the words with the person. “You mean, you keep this huge house clean all on your own—no help?”
    “Guilty,” he replies.
    I study him for a bit. He doesn’t look like he’s joking. I need to tell Jeremy something: “I have a dark secret too.” He raises his eyebrows. “I’m like a tornado. I might be the messiest person I know.” He scoots closer to me and takes my hand. I look down at where our hands are joined; mine is actually tingling. The sensation is traveling up my arm and spreading throughout my body. I realize that I’m not in any danger from Jeremy’s making inappropriate advances—I’m the one that I need to worry about!
    He looks right into my eyes. I can’t look away. He says simply, “I’ll do it. I’ll clean up after you.” He’s serious! That is probably thenicest thing anyone has ever said to me. My messy behavior usually brings out the worst in people.
    I laugh. “Thanks. Although it does look like you have a little mess going on in the dining room. I can help you clean that up.” He gets up from the couch, tugging me up with him.
    Once we get to the dining room, I see what’s going on. He’s got about eighty pieces of bread spread throughout the dining room and kitchen. I spot two large, open jars of peanut butter, a big container of honey, and one of raspberry jam.
    “Tomorrow is my day to deliver sandwiches to the men’s shelter downtown. I just need to put these together, and I’ll be ready to go.” He continues to hold my hand.
    I look up at him and ask, “Why?”
    He shrugs his shoulders. “Because they need it.”
    I am overcome with an incredible rush of emotion. Could I be falling in love with him? Already? This is insane; it’s only our third date. As I’m struggling with these new feelings, Jeremy looks over at me and asks, “What is it? Is something bothering you?”
    I don’t know how to answer this, so I say the first thing that comes to mind. “I’m trying to figure you out.” Jeremy seems soperfect. Can I trust him? Can I trust myself or my feelings? I want to be smart about this. I’ve been trying so hard to be careful with my emotions; I don’t want to make another mistake, like the one I made with Evan.
    He smiles. “What you see is what you get.”
    He seems ideal, wonderful. I want to believe him. I know my body wants to believe him. “You almost seem too good to be true.”
    Jeremy laughs. “Well, I can dispel that for you right now, Mattie. I’m far from perfect. I spend most of my life trying to control the outcome of most every situation. It comes in handy with my job, but on a personal level it can make relationships challenging.”
    I look into his soulful brown eyes as my heart flutters in my chest. I love a good challenge.
    I lean over to wipe the peanut butter off his face. He grabs my hand; now he has both of them. He holds them together next to his chest. We stand looking at each other.
    He asks, “Mattie, I might be crazy, but do you feel this? I feel something so deep for you, I can’t even explain what it is. Do you know what it is?”
    Breathless and dazed, I nod. “I think I might.”
    He continues to stare into my eyes as he slowly brings his lips to mine. I thought that when he held my hand he was setting off sparks, but this? The second his lips touch mine, I ignite. I can’t help my response. The minty taste of his toothpaste combined with peanut butter was the most delicious thing I’ve ever tasted. I need to get closer, so I lean in.
    Our bodies are