Stronger By Your Side (Great Love Book 2) Read Online Free PDF Page B

thoughts, these memories, could be real. I miss you so much, Charles. So much.
    Suddenly, I felt the bed dip and I was surrounded by warmth. I opened my eyes and turned my head to see Travis spooning me. His arm was around my waist, just like Charles used to hold me. Except with Travis, this felt purely platonic. I looked up into Travis’s eyes in the soft light of the nightlight by my bed. His hazel eyes looked heavy and concerned. He gently wiped a tear from my cheek, and my hand flew to my face. I was crying? I had no idea.
    “Lotte’s fast asleep . . . but you must’ve had a nightmare. You’ve been crying for a while. I couldn’t take it anymore. Let me hold you, please?” I nodded my head and laid back down.
    Travis was warm and soft. It was nice to be held again, but God did I miss the passion that usually followed this. As if he read my mind, Travis gently ran his fingers across my arm. I didn’t feel any sense of desire but I liked his comforting touch. I felt a small, gentle, wet kiss on my neck and I lifted my chin back. Travis’s hand went from my hip to sprawl out on my stomach as he rained kisses on my neck. Suddenly, he flipped me over and after staring into my eyes, he claimed my mouth with his. I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about this since I had no desire, but at the same time, I had no desire to stop him either. I was in a weird limbo. I had never been with anyone but Charles, and I had never kissed anyone I didn’t love until Travis. Is this what it felt like when people had one night stands with people they didn’t care about? Because, God, were they missing out.
    As quickly as his lips were on mine, they were off again. Travis shot up and flew off the bed. I sat up a little and looked up at him, feeling panicked that something was wrong. “What?” Travis ran his fingers through his hair as he paced in a small circle. “Travis,” I said low.
    He shook his head and then sat next to me on the bed. “Meg, I am so sorry. I shouldn’t—we shouldn’t have . . . ”
    I sighed loudly, letting out my frustration. “Yeah, I know.” And then I felt a sudden pain of guilt remembering my realization that Sarah had feelings for Travis. Jeez, Megan, get a hold of yourself .
    Travis sighed as he took my hand in his. “You deserve more. Charles would want you to have more. You haven’t been with anyone since Charles, and the next time should be with . . . your next husband, and I—I just don’t think that’s me.”
    In response to my silence, Travis pulled his hand from mine and ran it over his face. I gently put my hand on his and placed it on my lap. “Maybe not,” I said, “but I still care for you and you care for me.” He nodded. “Okay, then just lay here with me?” He gave me a hard glare. I rolled my eyes and smiled up at him. “Lay down and I’ll just lay on your chest. Please?” Travis nodded again and did as I asked. I fell into an easy sleep with him holding me.

Chapter Five
Megan
     
    It was Sunday, and our days were going by quickly. I would be starting work before I knew it, and I was looking forward to the distraction from my thoughts. I buttoned up my white, short-sleeve blouse and then pulled on my brown slacks. I slipped my checkered flats onto my feet and adjusted my hair in the mirror. I took a deep breath and willed myself to be strong. It was the first Sunday that I was going back to church. Not just any Church, but Charles’s church, the one he grew up in, the one where everyone knew him well. I talked Travis into taking me to Charles’s gravestone after the service. I needed to see it. I needed the closure. My hands shook and my throat felt dry. I was consumed with a concoction of emotions.
    I felt like I was growing closer with Charles at the same time that I was letting go of him. It was a strange feeling, but it felt right. It felt like I was finally alive again and it was time. I listened to Lotte playing dolls in her room and smiled at myself. Her voice