A Love to Live For Read Online Free Page A

mind was already made up.”
    He nodded, understanding. “Good.”
    “I was just rushed into announcing my decision,” I added. “Really, those two haven’t changed at all. They’re going to give Mrs. Winters a run for her money.”
    “You mean in vying for the position of the top town meddler and gossiper?” Joseph asked. “I wouldn’t compare them to Mrs. Winters. At least, when Mrs. Winters meddles into someone’s affairs, she has good intentions. I don’t think I can say the same for those two. In fact, I doubt if they’ve ever had good intentions.”
    I bumped him playfully on the shoulder. “You are so mean. Sure, Cindy and Lois can be mean, but I’m sure they have a spot of good inside them. I mean, they’re organizing the reunion, aren’t they?”
    He chuckled.
    I threw him a puzzled look. “What?”
    “You sound just like a preacher’s daughter,” he said. “Not that I find anything wrong about that, of course.”
    “Well, you’re the one who chose to go out with a preacher’s daughter,” I told him.
    “Like I said, I don’t find anything wrong about that.”
    “Why did you choose me anyway?” I asked, unable to keep my curiosity reined in. “Why did you ask me when you could have asked so many other girls?”
    “Like who?”
    “Like Cindy and Lois,” I said half jokingly.
    He snorted.
    “Seriously, though, there are plenty of other girls here in Continental.”
    “Perhaps,” he said. “But none of them can get on my nerves like you do and still fascinate me.”
    I laughed. “Is that why?”
    “Among other things,” he said.
    There was a moment of silence between us.
    “Can I ask why you said yes?” he asked.
    I took a deep breath. “I’ll be honest with you, Joseph. I’m not really sure how I feel about you but I said yes because I’m willing to find out. I owe you that much.”
    “I see,” he said, seemingly displeased but trying to hide it.
    There was another moment of silence.
    “So what do we do now?” I asked. “And please pardon my ignorance because I’ve…”
    “Never gone out with a guy before, I know,” Joseph said.
    “How do you know?”
    “Because Cindy and Lois know,” he teased. “But seriously, it’s an honor to be your first, though I can’t believe that I waited such a long time.”
    “Why did you?”
    He shrugged. “I was scared, I guess.”
    “Am I scary?”
    He nodded. “Plus, knowing your life is about to end may scare the hell out of you but it can also give you a lot of courage and put things in perspective.”
    I simply nodded, not knowing how to comment on what he’d just said.
    “Anyway, as to the first order of business…” He turned around and offered me a white flower. “Allow me to present you with a Casablanca lily.”
    “Which means?” I asked as I took the beautiful flower.
    “It stands for celebrations, and I think one is certainly in order today since you agreed to go out with me.”
    “Okay,” I acceded.
    “And here is a violet.” He took out another flower. “It stands for commitment. Consider it my promise to take good care of you.”
    I smiled as I received the violet. “Thank you.”
    I was starting to feel guilty for being lavished with so much affection, making me wonder if I had made the right decision, but at the same time, I could not deny that I felt quite happy, too.
    “And now, how about we arrange a date? Our first date.”
    “S-sure.”
    “Do you have anywhere particular in mind?”
    “Not really,” I said. “I’ve never thought about it.”
    “Then how about you just come over to my house tomorrow night and I’ll cook dinner for you?” he suggested.
    “You can cook?”
    “Of course,” he said. “I happen to be a good cook, too. It’s just one of my many talents.”
    I chuckled. “Alright, then.”
    “Do I need to ask your Dad for permission or something?”
    “No, I don’t think that’s necessary,” I said. “I’ll tell him about it.”
     
    Telling my Dad I was