Time Changes Everything Read Online Free PDF

closed her eyes, took a breath and opened them.
    Jake’s mouth clenched tighter, so she leaned toward him and pulled his body around to face her. Something forced her to continue because he needed her to. “Your mom found Gil and they’re happy. It happens all the time. Two people discover they love each other and learn to live with each other’s faults.”
    “What if someone’s fault is not sticking around?” He tried to face the window again and she placed her hand on his knee to stop him. With her gentle touch, he looked down, then grabbed her hand with his own. He studied her fingers. “If I found the right person, I’d never leave her, if I committed myself to her. But the commitment is what scares me.” He squeezed her hand and gazed into her eyes. “I never want to be responsible for someone else’s happiness. So I avoid even thinking about getting to that point –– commitment –– a relationship.”
    She slid an inch closer. “But you haven’t. Don’t you see? Once you give a woman any inkling of interest, you’ve already involved her emotions. You have her hooked, centered and taken. Most women are like that, and I dare say, men are too.”
    He placed his hands on her legs and rubbed her knee with a heart rendering tenderness in his stare.  “The only emotion I feel is a physical release. I haven’t found a woman who’s led me to think different.” He cocked his head to the side. His hand moved up to stroke her cheek. “I’m a screw up, aren’t I?”
    She touched his hand on her face. “No, I’m just sad for you.”
    “Great. That’s not the feeling I want from you.”
    “What do you want from me?”
    He held both her hands and studied her, searching for an answer. “I don’t know, but something is here.” He brought her hand to his heart. “You feel it too, don’t you? Maybe it’s because we grew up together and we have a past. Shit. I’ve never even thought of telling anyone any of this boo-hoo crap, and here it is the next day after seeing you for damn too long and you open me up like I’ve been lost in the wilderness and you’re a pizza pie.”
    She threw her head back and let out a peal of laughter. “Interesting analogy, counselor.”
    He surveyed the cafe around them and swiveled away from her to face the window. “I’m serious, Mandy. You do something to me.”
    Her voice softened. “What can I do to help you feel different?”
    “You’re not responsible for me.” He snorted.
    “No, but the path you’re taking is a long, lonely one.”
    He held a finger up. “Both of us are lonely right now, can I point that out?”
    “But I know what a real relationship is and you don’t.” She winced at her audacity to say the truth aloud.
    “Bullshit. I know what a relationship is.  I just haven’t found someone to have one with. I need someone who’s willing to take that risk on me. Someone I’m willing to do anything not to hurt. Someone that doesn’t bore me. It scares the shit out of me.”
    She shook her head. “Listen to yourself. You’re lonely.”
    “Anyway, you admitted to having a shitty relationship with that Paris dude, so you’re no expert.”
    Flinching back, she said, “I never said I was.”
    He nodded his head. “You’re preaching to me as if you knew all the answers.”
    She stopped his fingers from tapping the table. “Will you ever take that leap?”
    “We’ll have to wait and see.” He glanced sideways. “How about you?”
    She sighed, knowing she wouldn’t be helpless again. “I don’t plan on seeing a man in my life for a long time.”
    A melancholy frown flitted across his features. “We’re both screwed.” His expression darkened with an unreadable emotion and he took a deep breath.
    Amanda reached into her purse and pulled out one of her business cards. “Here’s my number, in case you have time to call me in between all your other dates.”
    Jake tucked the card into his wallet but didn’t smile at her joke.
    Why