Soldier On Read Online Free PDF

blush.
    “Brandon, look—”
    “We’ll start small. Coffee? Tea? I know you’re busy. I have classes and a job, too, but I’m willing to carve out thirty minutes in my hectic schedule to have coffee with you.”
    I have to admit, his sarcastic nature is kind of cute.
    “Just coffee?”
    “Yes. And when your ankle is no longer the size of Everest, maybe we can talk about dinner.”
    I grimace and look at my pitiful ankle. “It’s not quite Everest . . .”
    Brandon reaches for my hand, and I let him hold it. I mean, we’ve already kissed and he carried me across campus. Holding hands seems tame. He slides his fingers along mine, linking them. The sensation sends little jolts of electricity along my skin.
    “When’s your last class tomorrow?”
    “I get out at three.”
    “There’s this little coffee shop just off campus called The Daily Grind. If your ankle feels better, I’d love to meet you for coffee tomorrow after your class. Say 3:30?”
    “Okay. If my ankle feels better.”
    His smile is triumphant. “You should probably give me your number . . . you know, just in case.”
    I roll my eyes, which causes him to laugh. Brandon releases my hand and digs his cell out of his pocket. I give him my number, which he immediately punches into his phone. Seconds later, I hear my ring tone coming from my backpack in the living room.
    “And now you have mine,” he says with a satisfied grin.

    When I limp into The Daily Grind the next afternoon, I’m grateful to find the shop is nearly deserted. It can be a busy place—not just because it has the best coffee in town, but because of the awesome muffins the owner bakes each morning. It’s a cozy coffee shop with round tables, padded booths, and loveseats and chairs nestled into the corners.
    A few students with their laptops are scattered around the room, but Brandon isn’t one of them, so I hobble to one of the loveseats and try to get comfortable. My ankle throbs, but the swelling isn’t so bad today. Glancing down at my watch, I notice it’s time to take more painkillers. I also notice that Brandon is ten minutes late.
    Being stood up for a coffee date would be really embarrassing.
    With a sigh, I unzip my backpack and dig for my meds. Maybe he’s late, and maybe he is a flirt, but I have to admit he did take pretty good care of me yesterday. I find the ibuprofen bottle just as my cell vibrates. The message on the screen makes me smile.
    You look pretty today.
    I quickly look up, but he’s nowhere to be found. Glancing out the window, I see a silver-haired guy riding a bike and a teenage girl walking her dog.
    I send a text back.
    Where are you?
    Look at the register.
    I do, and I laugh when I see him standing behind the counter, wearing one of the Grind’s paisley aprons. He flashes his dimples and waves at me before turning his attention back to his customer.
    I shake my head. Those dimples are going to be the death of me.
    After the customer leaves, Brandon makes his way over.
    “Nice apron. I never would have guessed paisley was your color.”
    “I know it’s sexy, but please try to control yourself. I’m at work, after all.”
    “I’ll try my best.”
    Brandon laughs. “I’m off in ten minutes. What would you like?”
    “A muffin and a bottle of water, please.”
    “No coffee?”
    “I hate coffee.”
    “Me, too.” Brandon looks behind his shoulder. “Just don’t tell Ms. Linda. She’ll fire me.”
    “Ms. Linda?”
    “The manager.”
    “Well, your secret’s safe with me.”
    Brandon laughs and heads back to the register. I try to use the free time to study, but my textbook is boring compared to the guy behind the counter. I watch the way he interacts with the customers—giving each of them his dimpled grin and walking elderly customers to the door. It’s sweet, watching the old ladies giggle like teenagers when they loop their arms through his as he walks them out.
    After ten minutes, Brandon returns with two blueberry