The Love Story (The Things We Can't Change Book 4) Read Online Free PDF

let go and open the car door for me, I hold onto his hand until he finally turns to look at me.
    “Do you remember the first time in the dance studio? When we didn’t even talk? And Koby and Jenny were there too? Do you know what Jenny and I were talking about?”
    Slowly, taking a step closer so he can look down into my face, Zeke shakes his head.
    “We were talking about you and Koby. I told Jenny I thought Koby had a crush on her and she was telling me that it would never work out, because her parents would disapprove and she was a member while Koby worked at the club. I kept telling her none of that should really matter. And I remember looking at you and Koby and thinking to myself that even though Koby was nicer, less scary, friendly, you were the one that I couldn’t stop staring at.”
    I look down at the ground for a long moment, trying to ignore my furiously pounding heart. Even for me, this moment and admission feels raw and hard. I force myself to look up into Zeke’s eyes once more.
    “All everyone around us sees in our relationship are the differences. Our skin color, our money, our ‘classes,’ our jobs and the way we talk or act. But ever since we really started talking, all I’ve ever been able to see is how much we’re alike. All the similarities between us and our lives. Between everything that has happened to us. And the way we found each other not when we wanted to, but when we needed each other the most. I don’t think anyone will ever understand that. What we’ve gone through together and how that happened. I don’t know if we understand it. But I know I wouldn’t want anyone else to. And I know that it’s one thing, out of everything that has happened, that I wouldn’t ever want to change.”
    Zeke doesn’t say anything for a long time. At first I worry that I’ve scared him away. That this is too deep and too soon for him. I need to remember that this is all still new to Zeke, that I need to tread carefully around his feelings. Just as he does around me, easing into gentle touches and always breaking into my personal space with the utmost care.
    But then all my worried thoughts flee as he does just that right now, leaning slowly forward. Feather light, his lips touch my forehead. It’s sweet and careful and achingly beautiful. A gentle move completely at odds with such a big, strong man. My heart aches at the perfection of the moment.
    Zeke pulls back and I finally release his hand. Neither of us speaks as he opens the car door, afraid of breaking the moment. We just get into the car and Zeke heads for home.
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
    Evangeline
    87
     
     
     
    By the time we’re halfway home, the moment has peacefully faded and it feels safe to talk again. Zeke asks me about my plans for the rest of the weekend, carefully picking my hand up from my lap and holding it over the console as he talks.
    “Not much,” I admit. “My social life has taken a bit of dive lately. Maybe you’ve heard about it the past week?”
    We both chuckle.
    “Cleaning, mostly,” I finally say truthfully, unglamorous as it is. “The house has kind of been let go lately. Working on my new bedroom, too. I bought closet organizers but haven’t actually set them up. And homework, of course.”
    “Back to the daily grind,” Zeke agrees. “Work tomorrow and a wedding on Sunday night. And a cramp in my arm from all the sketching I’ll be doing. Mr. Bryant wants rough proposals of potential portfolio pieces, and for the fall art show.”
    I squeeze his hand reassuringly as he pulls up the long driveway to my house. “I’m sure they’ll all be fantastic.”
    He gives a small laugh as he opens the car door. “I’m surprised at how much I missed it. Come on, I’ll walk you up. We need to make sure Clarissa didn’t lock you out again.”
    “Very funny,” I mutter sourly, exiting the car and walking up to the front porch