When I Was You Read Online Free PDF

if he’d be bothered by how much I know about his comings and goings. I could chalk it up to the fact that we live together and we’ve established a bitof a rhythm in that respect, but deep down I know it goes beyond that, and he’s smart enough that he could very easily read between the lines.
    The last thing I want is to scare him away, especially when his company, his presence, is so invaluable. He’s the only friend I have, and I intend to keep him in my life at any cost. If there’s anything I’ve learned these last six months, it’s that friendships—true friendships—are priceless.
    “I do.” Niall leans against the counter, sipping from his mug as he studies me. “Any plans today?”
    I blow a cool breath across the top of my drink before shrugging. “I need to get caught up on a few things around the house. Maybe do some dusting and vacuuming. Laundry.”
    God, I need to shut up.
    I’m not doing myself any favors here by showcasing the fact that I’m the world’s most unfascinating woman. I don’t tell him I plan to watch the Marshall house across the street. Carly travels for work on the weekends, and I’m dying to see if the white Range Rover pulls up at any point today.
    “What about you?” I ask.
    “I don’t know about the rest of the day, but I was planning on taking this outside. Want to join?” He nods toward the locked front door.
    I temper my excitement as I offer him a simple, “Sure.” And I stifle a chuckle at the idea of neighbors passing by, hiding their sideways glances and making assumptions about the two of us that couldn’t be more wrong.
    “We’re just friends,” I’d tell them. But none of them would have the courage to ask. People get too comfortable living with their own assumptions. I’m convinced most of us prefer to shun the truth for reasons of our own.
    A few seconds later, Niall and I are situating ourselves on the swing, trying to keep our coffees from spilling as we get settled, and we sipside by side, among the chirping birds and Saturday midmorning sun, among the passing bicyclists and barking neighborhood dogs.
    It’s almost perfect.
    If only my mind would stop wandering.
    There’s still so much we don’t know about each other despite all the time we’ve spent together these last several months.
    I can’t help but think about whether or not Niall has a type, if he’s ever had a girlfriend or been engaged. This sort of curiosity is only natural, I’m convinced. Besides, friends are allowed to pry into one another’s dating and personal lives. It’s not unusual. Human beings are built to love and be loved. We’re not meant to be alone. And he’s such a great catch. I’m dying to know why he’s still “on the market.”
    His chiseled features, deep-set clear blue eyes, auburn hair, and calm intelligence would make him a magnificent partner for the right person.
    I know for a fact he isn’t dating. When you live with someone, when you see their comings and goings, it’s pretty obvious when they’re not in any kind of relationship—committed or otherwise.
    Unless . . .
    Unless he is seeing someone, and he only visits their house out of respect for me, since he knows about my wariness of strangers.
    That’s so something he would do.
    But still, my stubborn inquisitiveness gnaws away at me until I can hardly contain it, questions racing from my mind to my tongue in real time.
    Mr. and Mrs. Klingenbeard wander past, both of them craning their necks to take a peek at the two of us sitting here together.
    Mrs. K waves. Mr. K smiles.
    “They recently retired,” I tell him. “Been married over fifty years. Can you imagine spending that much time with someone?”
    He takes a sip. “I think it’s a beautiful thing. Rare too. At least these days.”
    “True.” I bite my lip before taking a quick breath. “Do you ever think about marriage?”
    Niall almost chokes on his coffee, whipping his attention to me. “Why would you ask that?”
    Oh,