Third Chances (Men of Manhattan, #2)

by Ivy Smoak

He was so handsome. Why the hell is he hanging out with me?

"I almost forgot." He pulled out a card from his pocket and swiped it across one of my bracelets. "That one was for the snuggling." He pulled out two more cards and removed my other two bracelets. "And that's because I don't like to share."

"I don't even know where you're from. I only know your last name because Kristen has a crush on your brother. And you're going to leave tomorrow night and I'll never hear from you again. I can't do something like that. It's too casual for me. I need more than that. I need something tangible. Something real. Something stable."

"I like plans and structure. I wouldn't be able to handle you just showing up for booty calls or whatever you'd call them. That's not what I'm looking for. At all."

Me either. I wanted her to want me. Not just for a night. I wanted to be wanted. I wanted to be needed. No one really needed me.

He was like the forbidden fruit. And I knew he was going to taste so fucking good.

I was beginning to realize that not only was Rob the sexiest guy I had ever met, he was also the most exasperating.

I looked up at him. That pretty much summed up the difference between us. Rob Hunter lived. He traveled. He had fun. And I just let life pass me by each day. My routine was rarely ever broken. I was envious of his life. I wanted to grab his hand and never let go. I wanted him to teach me how to live.

Good. She didn't need to know the truth. Not that I was embarrassed. I'm sharing a pint of Ben and Jerry's ice cream with my brother. Leave me the fuck alone.

Was this chick seriously still going to hit on me after my weird purchases? "Nope. My brother and I just like to jerk off together and eat ice cream. Thanks." I grabbed my card and the bag she handed me. "Oh," she said and laughed awkwardly.

"I'm not dumb enough to lose him." Rob's words wouldn't stop echoing around in my head. I had believed Derek was better. I was dumb enough to lose him.

In a few years, I'd find a nice normal girl who lived near me, wherever that might be. One who didn't order food like an arrogant snob.

"Why aren't you zip lining right now?" "Because I was scared." "Scared of what?" "Dying before I knew what living really was."

This was living. This feeling right now, I wanted to experience this for the rest of my life.

I heard her sigh and she put her arms on top of mine, holding me in place like she thought I was about to run away. But for the first time in my life, I didn't feel like running. I was happy exactly where I was.

"You're a little like my brother." I smiled. "You live big and fast. And that's not me. You're happy and carefree, and I don't want to pull you down."

Rob needed someone who was full of life. I wasn't a good fit for him. Even if I wanted to be.

I shook my head. "You're going to make a great father, James." He laughed. "Why do you say that?" "Because you were basically mine."

"He left me." "It was an accident." "You don't know that." "He loved you, Daphne." "Then why did he leave me?"

"I don't know, I just...I like him. None of that mattered with him. He made me feel like I was living again."

"But if I need him, what happens when he leaves me?" "Daphne, not everyone leaves. Sometimes you just need to take that leap of faith."

My past wasn't going to ruin my future anymore. I wouldn't let it.

"It's okay to let go," he whispered in my ear. His words brought tears to my eyes. He seemed to understand me so completely. There was so much meaning behind what he had just said. I needed to let go. Truly.

"And what do you get in return for helping me?" He smiled. "You, the most beautiful girl I've ever met, inside and out. Now that I have my arms around you, I don't intend to let go."

"I've been waiting my whole life for you, Robert Hunter."

"Great. Now you just have to choose where we'll be flying to first: Venice, Paris, or Sydney. Take your pick." "Aren't those some of the most romantic cities in the world?" "It's the start of our love story, Daphne. Let's make it memorable."

"Give me your hand. I promise I won't let go." I put my hand in his. I was finally ready to live again.