This Is Forever (This Is, #4)

by Natasha Madison

“I lost my job.” The worry comes over his face. “I’m looking for another one,” I say, “but I was hoping she could help me out with some bread, butter, and some milk.” I hold my head high and take a deep inhale.

When we enter the flower shop twenty minutes later, he walks straight to the woman. “I want some flowers for my mom,” he tells the lady, who smiles at him and looks at me. “Her favorite color is purple.” “Is this for a special occasion?” the lady asks. “No, it’s just to tell her that I love her,” he says, and I could swear I hear her swoon.

When you’re a little girl and you read all the fairy tales about the handsome prince coming to save you, this is what you dream the kisses are. This is what you dream would happen.

“Hey,” I say, and she looks over, but her mouth opens. “Is this okay?” I ask, looking down at my outfit. “I can always change.” “You …” she starts to say and then closes her mouth again. “You.” She points. “You’re hot.”

“I know that we haven’t even left yet …” She looks down and then up again. I can see her hands shaking. “But this is the best date I’ve ever had.”

“Oh, shit,” Matthew says, and I look at what he’s looking at, and I see that Caroline is charging into the arena with my mother following her. “This doesn’t look good,” he says. “I know that walk,” he continues. “It’s not a good walk.” “I think she’s charging,” I say under my breath, and I see Caroline look around. When she finally spots me, I smile at her, but all she does is glare. “Oh, I definitely know that look,” Matthew says. “Just say you're sorry.” He tries to talk fast. “Doesn’t matter if you don’t know what it’s about, just say sorry.”