Capture Read Online Free Page A

not about being fair or about getting even. It’s about pursuing a dream, even if—”
    He nodded. “Even if it doesn’t include me.”
    “I have to do this,” I said. “Otherwise, I’ll always wonder what if .”
    “I understand, Elsie,” he said. We were quiet for a long time, just staring at each other, until he said, “Can I please hug you now?”
    With a slightly lighter heart, I walked over to where he stood and fit myself into his arms. He kissed my forehead in that tender way I loved so much. “I love you, Els.”
    I wasn’t able to return the sentiment, not because I didn’t feel it but because saying it meant I’d forgiven him.
    “I’m really sorry for what I did to you, Elsie,” he said. “And I’m sorry for lying, even if it was with the best intentions.”
    I nodded against his chest, feeling a lump in my throat.
    “I’m never going to hurt you again. I’m back for good.”
    “I want to believe you.”
    He held me at arm’s length, looking into my eyes. “I’m sticking around, Elsie. I’m going to be by your side until you tell me to go. I don’t know how else to prove to you that I’m here for good except by just being here day after day,” he said. “Please try to believe me.”
    “I want to believe you,” I repeated. I stepped away from him and grabbed the phone. “Do you want to stay for dinner?”
    He did and we ate delivery Chinese food at the dining table. After dinner, we sat on the couch and watched Top Gear. Several minutes into the show, Henry’s arm came around my shoulder and nestled me close.
    I don’t think either one of us meant for the kiss to happen. I looked up to ask a question the same time he was bending down to whisper in my ear and our lips bumped into each other.
    “Sorry.” He swallowed as his eyes flicked down to my lips.
    “It’s okay.”
    “I’m dying over here, Elsie,” he whispered huskily in my ear. “I don’t know what to do with myself.”
    “What do you want to do?”
    “This.” He leaned down and touched his lips to mine, gently at first, then gathering courage. I kissed him back, feeling a moan rise up from my throat. In that moment I was ready to forgo everything else—yes, even that fantastic job—and just stay in Henry’s arms forever.
    I pulled away, wrenching myself from the daydream before I was too lost. “You should go home, Henry,” I said, covering his mouth with my hand.
    “Uh, sure.” He kissed my forehead and headed out.
     
    Our third date began early the next day when Henry came knocking at my door at nine o’clock with a bouquet of paper flowers in his hands.
    “What’s this?” I asked, still drowsy from sleep. I had only just managed to rinse my mouth and twist my hair into a bun before I’d answered the door.
    He handed me the bouquet of red paper rolled to look like roses, unable to keep his eyes off my tank top and shorts attire. “My buddy’s wife makes them, so I ordered some for you,” he said, sticking his hands in his pants pockets.
    “They’re beautiful.” I sniffed them out of habit, and was actually surprised to catch a whiff of a flowery scent.
    “I remember you said a long time ago, after Brian bought you flowers on your first date, that they were a waste of money because they died anyway.” He touched a finger to one paper rose. “These will last forever.”
    “Thank you,” I said, surprised that he remembered a throwaway comment I’d made many years ago.
    I caught him checking me out as he walked inside the apartment, but he tried to play it off with a shrug. “I’m going to go change,” I said.
    “Please don’t. I have a soft spot for that tank top,” he said. “Or rather, a hard spot.”
    “It’s too early for sexual innuendo,” I groaned.
    He laughed. “Okay,” he said, holding his hands up in defeat. “No innuendo at least after breakfast.”
    I set the flowers down on the counter and went to the fridge to get some eggs.
    “Where’s your coffee?” he