McKenna Homecoming Read Online Free PDF Page A

night, you’re saying we wouldn’t be a good fit? Seemed to me like we fit perfectly.”
    A blush bloomed in her cheeks. “Well, that kiss notwithstanding.”
    So she’d been as affected as he had been last night. He’d walked away from the reunion and realized two things before he even hailed a cab. He was glad he’d gone, and he was still in love with Leah Andrews. Maybe it was all the unfinished business between them, maybe it was the desire to show her that he could be everything she’d thought he was, or maybe it was just the new maturity that had come upon him in recent months, but Alec had no intentions of letting Leah go a second time. “Then let’s try again.”
    She toyed with the handle of her mug, avoiding his gaze. “I can’t. I don’t know where I’m living or what I’m doing. I’m in transition right now, figuring out what I want, and getting involved with anyone would be a bad idea.”
    “You’re afraid.” He shook his head. “You are the bravest woman I know and you’re afraid. Why?”
    “I’m not afraid.” The protest came fast, then just as quickly, she gave him a wry grin. “Okay, maybe I am a little. It’s just
    I’ve kind of been living in a bubble for the past ten years. All the way on the other side of the country, wrapped up in my father’s medical care. The rest of the world just kind of
    disappeared for me during that time.”
    He leaned across the table, meeting her gaze with his own. “Then stop doing that. It’s time you had your own life, Leah. The one you put on hold.”
    “I keep telling myself that, and so do my friends, but
    ” She shrugged. “I wonder if it’s too late. I’m not eighteen anymore, Alec. I missed all the typical after-high-school stuff—college, dorm life, internships
    “
    “So? Start somewhere else.”
    She laughed, but he could still see the doubt and fear warring in her eyes. She was skittish, unsure, and that was far from the Leah he remembered. What was it going to take for her to let go and get that fire back again?
    “You think I can start over again, just like that?” she said.
    “That’s what I did. I spent too many years wasting my life, doing nothing. Then I had a moment that
    changed things for me. My grandmother offered me a job at the family firm, and I took it. Believe me, I was scared as hell, sure I’d screw it up.”
    “Why would you believe that?”
    “Leah, what have I done right? Carrying a football over a line isn’t exactly a lifetime achievement. You, though
    you were always amazing. Yearbook editor, school newspaper editor. You won that poetry contest, and that other essay thing.”
    “You remember all that?”
    “I remember everything about you, Leah.” And he did. As much as he thought he’d put her from his mind, she’d always lingered there, like peanut butter on the roof of a child’s mouth. “Do you remember?”
    Her gaze met his and held. He saw the fear bubble up again in her eyes. She shook her head, then gathered up her coat and got to her feet. “Whether I do or I don’t doesn’t matter, Alec. I’m sorry. I just don’t think this is a good idea.” She paused by his chair, letting her hand linger on his shoulder, then she pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Goodbye,” she whispered.
    And then she was gone. Again.
    He stayed where he was. The smartest thing to do was put Leah out of his mind, once and for all. The problem? He’d never forgotten Leah and he never would.

Chapter Six
    Leah pushed the pile of papers to the side. “I’m too old to start college, Aunt Bea.”
    Her aunt settled in the seat across from her at the scarred maple table that had sat in Bea’s kitchen for as long as Leah could remember. Aunt Bea was a tall, wiry woman with short gray hair and a penchant for bright colors. “You’re never too old. Heck, your uncle Joe started when he was seventy. Didn’t graduate until he was ninety, but hey, he went.”
    Leah laughed. “I’m hoping I don’t have to be on a