Free Walk with Me (BookStrand Publishing Mainstream) by Kaitlyn Stone Page A

with everyone’s camera phone, Donovan and I leave Danielle alone to wait for Tyler. In the car, Donovan reaches over, taking my hand in his, and squeezes gently. We sit in silence with his thumb stroking my knuckles, discharging an electric current up my arm and directly to my chest, giving little jolts to my heart. The female voice on the car stereo is singing a song about the ambition of love. A woman going after the man she wants. It reminds me of the quote by Nora Roberts. “If you don’t step forward, you’re always in the same place.” I play the last words over in my mind. They resonate within me, forcing me to look at parallels in my own life.
    At a stoplight Donovan brings me out of my own head. “I’ve missed you. Two days seems like a long time not to see you.” He leans over to give me a gentle kiss that blooms into more, matching his words.
    My breath hitches and I exhale back, “I’ve missed you, too.” Being with him is so easy and right.
    The light turns green and as Donovan accelerates, the relaxing music mutes, replaced by a loud telephone ring. Donovan pushes a button on the steering wheel and bids the caller, “Hello?” The computer display on the dashboard reads the name Paul.
    “Hey, Donovan, what time did you want to come by the dealership on Sunday with your new squeeze and look at some cars?”
    Donovan goes stiff next to me. “I’m not alone in the car, Paul.” Directing his voice to me, he says, “Kenna, this is my cousin, Paul.”
    “Hi, Kenna, it’s nice to meet you. Are you the nurse?” Paul asks through the loud speaker. Donovan narrows his eyes at Paul through the dashboard like cut your crap out or else . Probably cousins giving each other a hard time.
    “No,” I state in a matter-of-fact tone. “I’m not a nurse. I’m a student.” I smile like his comment didn’t even bother me, but again more doubt is placed in my mind. Thanks a lot, used-car guy. Okay. I get it. Donovan is young, good looking, and eligible. He’s had his share of women, but does everyone need to rub my nose in it?
    “Oh. I’m sorry,” Paul plays it off. “Donovan doesn’t bring girls home, so I just assumed you were the nurse he was dating.” Hmm, doesn’t bring girls home .
    “Stop being an ass, Paul. Kenna is looking for a used car, like I told you before, and I thought you may be able to get her a good deal.”
    “Right. I’ll be in anytime after ten. Just give me a half-hour warning before you show up.” Paul’s voice becomes more sincere. “Are you guys coming to family dinner, too?”
    “No,” Donovan answers hastily. “We have plans later.”
    Paul doesn’t seem taken back by Donovan’s quick response. “You know, Donovan, I think your mom is ready for it. Actually, I think it might be good for Connie to see you with someone.”
    Donovan shifts his eyes to mine and back to Paul’s voice on the dash. “I’m not one of your sales, Paul, so stop trying to close me.”
    “Just think about it.”
    I wonder what the little exchange with Paul is about, a bad breakup with a girl who was close to his mom? Or maybe his mom has been bugging him to stop playing the field and fooling around with all those police groupies or patrol bunnies or whatever the hell they are and bring a nice girl home.
    “Okay, Paul.” Donovan dismisses his suggestion. “I’ll call you Saturday with the time. See you Sunday. Bye.” Paul barely gets a word out before Donovan hits the red end-call button on the screen and the music returns, filling the car and the silence between us.
    Surprisingly, something about this new information puts me at ease. Most girls would be leery of a guy with potential family issues, but for this girl with a whole boatload, Donovan appears closer to my level.
    “What are you thinking?” Donovan asks softly, bringing me from my reverie.
    Damn, caught analyzing him . I can’t let him know what my sick mind is thinking, wishing he is less perfect than he