Read Me (Forget the Past, #2)

by Lauren Connolly

He knows my name. How can I get him to say it again? Maybe if I talk about the change of seasons we’ll eventually get around to the one I share my name with, and then I can pretend he’s talking about me.

“Anything else you want to know?” Cole’s question brings me back to the present. “Everything. I want to know everything.”

“You have great teeth,” he says, then closes his eyes and frowns.

“When you need a ride, call me. I’ll be there for you.” Then, finally, he strolls away. And I’m left wondering who exactly Cole Allemand is.

“Do you want a hug?” A Cole Allemand hug? Does such a thing even exist? “Are you offering a hug? You don’t seem like a hugger.” “I’m not.” “Well, I don’t want a hug full of lies.” I cross my arms, knowing that I’m being obstinate. But that’s what this day does to me. Cole’s mouth twitches. “I’m not a hugger. But I’d like to hug you.”

“Black works for me today,” I repeat. “But when I’m happy again—and I will be—I won’t be able to stop myself.” “From doing what?” he murmurs, his stare seeming to catch on my mouth.

“From trying to paint you in colors.”

“I did choose. I wanted to spend the day with you.”

My librarian is adorable, but I keep that to myself.

my girl

My librarian

“I will murder any pineapple that tries to come near you, Cole Allemand. Nothing is allowed to hurt you, you wonderful man.”

my man.”

“Why did I lie, you ask? I lied because I am a monster and you are perfection. I lied because I am selfish, and I want you. I lied because the truth of me is a dark twisted mass. I lied because I am terrified. Terrified of life without you in it. I am desperate for you, and I believed lies were the only way to keep you from leaving. If I had known that truth was the key to you, I would have shared every detail of my pathetic existence.”

“So, if you don’t mind, I would like you to pick me up from work, drive me to my mom’s house, and then I would like you to walk inside said house with me and meet my mother.”

“I know that whatever relationship we were building kind of imploded. But I want to rebuild. You’re…” Damn, I think I might cry. Thank the universe I have my own office for these uncomfortable emotional breakdowns. “You’re important to me, Cole. I don’t want to lose you because I’m scared I’ll lose you.” A beat of silence, then— “You’re off at nine, right?” “Yeah.” “Does your mom like flowers?” “Cole, you don’t—” “Can I kiss you when I see you?” My face explodes with heat. Oh hell, my entire body does. I’ve missed this man. Which is why I can’t help teasing him. “Only if you’ve brushed your teeth first.”