Never Say Never, Part One (Second Chance Romance, Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

 
    “I’m sorry about that. I said I’m sorry about that, what more can I say?”  
    “Ha,” she spat out the mirthless laughter before continuing, “nothing I guess.”  
    The bang of a door in the hallway snapped them out of the argument.  
    “I’m going to go. I shouldn’t have come.”  
    “Why did you come?”  
    Emily hesitated and brought out the tiny card she’d bought at a gas station on the long walk over. It was a joke in comparison to the ones he already had.  
    “Because a tiny part of me wanted to prove that you weren’t a jerk. That not every man in this city is a total loser or user.”  
    “You’re jaded,” he observed and glanced at the card.  
    She tucked it against her breasts and chuckled. “No, I’m experienced.”  
    “I bet.” Chase’s tone dripped with scorn.  
    “Fuck you.”
    They glared at each other across the ward, and the heat between them trebled. She wanted to cross the room and slap him, then kiss him hard. That was wrong. It shouldn’t be like this.  
    He couldn’t be trusted.  
    “I’m going to try this one last time, Emily.” Their eyes met and she was sucked in by the intensity unveiled within them. “I’m sorry.”  
    It was a genuine apology and there was shame behind it too.  
    “It’s fine. I’m sorry too.”  
    “For what?” The corner of his mouth quirked up and he scratched his stubbly chin.  
    “I got you kicked out of the club, and I’m sure it was the bouncer who put you in hospital.” It was the first time she’d admitted it out loud and it was a complete liberation. She’d laid it bare and he could do with it what he wished.  
    “Let’s not get it twisted. I was being a total dick. Chances are I would’ve gotten the snot beaten out of me either way.”  
    The first real laughter she’d experienced in weeks, maybe months, leaked out of her like air from a balloon.  
    “All right.” She plopped the card amidst the slew of others and waved. “Thanks for the apology and I’m glad you’re alive and well. I gave your phone to Chastity by the way.”  
    “Oh? How do you know my sister?”  
    “I kind of swiped your phone after I called 911,” she showed her teeth in discomfort, “and put it in my bag without thinking.”  
    “You found me? You got the ambulance to pick me up?” Chase stared at her as if he’d seen her for the first time.  
    “I thought you knew.”  
    He shook his head and glanced out the window again. The sun had started setting, hues of orange and pink spread out over the city, visible between the buildings.  
    “It was nice meeting you, Chase.” He wasn’t as bad as she’d thought. Still arrogant and infuriating, but not the same guy who’d groped a stripper in a seedy club. At least, that was how it seemed.  
    Emily clutched her handbag to the side of her silk blouse and turned to leave.  
    “Emily,” he said, and sat up straighter in his hospital gown, “Go out to dinner with me.”  
    “What?” She froze and her heart did too.  
    He fumbled a bit, then regained his composure. “Let me make it up to you. I’d like to take you out to dinner to say thank you for, ya know, saving my life.”  
    This hit too close to home. If she went with him she’d be entrapped by the idea of what she’d wanted for so long: a real man who loved her. But that was a lie. It didn’t exist. She knew that now.  
    “Thanks,” she said, with a small sad smile, “but no thanks, buddy.”  
    Emily winked and walked out before he could stop her again.

CHAPTER SEVEN

    Emily sighed and shouldered her bag. The night sky was spangled with stars, and puffs of cloud scudded across the moon. Her shift started in ten minutes, and she’d be late, but she couldn’t bring herself to care.  
    A week had passed since the hospital, but he was on her mind most days. She hated it and she couldn’t grasp why.  
    There wasn’t a chance she’d fit into his world, she’d gotten a glimpse of it at