Free Her Heart's Secret Wish by Juliana Haygert Page B

dropped a pitch, concern dripping from her words. “You can’t stay alone.”
    He stood up and turned to the large window behind him. He rested a hand on the cool glass and stared out over the peaceful blanket of snow covering the campus paths, benches, and yards.
    “I’m almost thirty years old, Mom. Don’t worry about me. I’ll think of something, call some friends….”
    He caught sight of a dash of long brown hair and pink coat among the white landscape. A wave of anticipation grew inside of him, and he inhaled sharply, trying to quiet it down.
    He glanced at the time on one of the monitors. A little past four. Natasha had finished her shift at the bookstore and was walking toward her apartment on the East side of the university.
    “I would rather you came with us,” his mother insisted.
    A smile stretched across his face. With her earphones in place and moving her arms and shoulders, she danced along the almost deserted path, her carefree motions contagious.
    A red-haired man approached her, and Jason’s grin died. She stopped and greeted him with a hug. Knots formed in his stomach.
    The guy grasped her hand, trying to hold on to her—even when she stepped back and gestured in the direction of her apartment. What, the jerk wouldn’t let her go? Rage bubbled in his chest, and a hiss escaped his lips. She wasn’t a defenseless kid. Hell, he knew what she did with most of the boys on campus, but that didn’t prevent him from wanting to strangle all of them.
    “Jason? Son, are you there?”
    The dude tugged her arm and pulled her to him.
    He let out a shaky breath in between gritted teeth. “Yes, I’m here.”
    Natasha pulled back, but the guy kept her close and tried to kiss her.
    “You don’t sound well, dear. Are you sure you’re okay? I would feel better if you came down with us, and I saw you for myself.”
    The jackass finally released her, and she scurried away. The fellow stared after her until she disappeared in between buildings.
    He sighed in relief. “I’m fine, Mom. Listen, I won’t go with you. Tell them I had to work on a new project or whatever. But don’t worry about me.” A new idea brewed in his mind, and he smiled to himself. “I’ll find some friends to spend Christmas with.”

 
     
    Chapter Two
     
     
    Ready for the party two hours before the appointed time, Natasha paced the living room floor. The apartment she shared with Fallon seemed so small whenever her roomie was away. The furniture so serious and quiet. The walls so white, cold, and tight. Rubbing her arms, she glanced at the door. Oh, to get out…or invite someone—anyone—in.
    She picked up her cell phone from the coffee table. No missed calls. No messages. She sighed. Just because people hadn’t contacted her, didn’t mean she couldn’t call them. But who? Besides Fallon, she didn’t have anyone.
    How sad was the reality of her life?
    After all the guys she’d been with, hearts she’d broken, and people she’d met, she always ended up alone.
    Whatever .
    She always ended up fine.
    To pass the time, she entered Fallon’s bedroom and looked over the bookcases lining the walls. Her roommate had recently bought a new batch of books, which sat atop the shiniest shelf. New to her bookworm friend, because most of them were old and worn. She was amazed how much Fallon loved reading—anything, from classic literature to modern commercial fiction to college books and even manuals.
    She scrutinized the books. Hmm. Wonder if there’s a How-To book in here on me ? Because somehow, her sweet roommate had managed to penetrate the thick barricades she had built around herself. Though she’d been scared in the beginning, she was grateful Fallon hadn’t given up easily.
    A flicker of fear flashed through her. What if her roommate did give up on her? What if she walked away from their friendship? What would happen to them when they graduated in less than two years?
    Natasha rushed out of the bedroom as if she could