Cherishing You Read Online Free Page A

Kindle to relax for a little bit. I try to read some, but my mind keeps drifting to everything going on so I finally give up, stretch out on the old swing, and enjoy the peaceful view.
    I must have drifted off to sleep because the next thing I know, I look up and see Ethan standing right above me. He’s giving me that signature smile of his and yet again he takes my breath away. I don’t dare say a word because I know as soon as I do he’ll disappear and I’ll wake up. I love dreaming of him, and I don’t want it to end.
    “Are you going to breathe, Andi?” he asks, a concerned look on his face.
    I take a deep breath and he’s still there. I start blushing as I realize I’m not dreaming. I give an embarrassed smile and he mirrors it before asking, “Have you been sleeping out here all night?”
    “No, I came out here early to watch the sunrise.”
    “And you didn’t invite me? Hmm, I see how you are. Well, I guess since it’s already up and shining this morning, you won’t mind if I scoot you over and sit down.” Ethan grabs my legs to move them over; the moment his hands touch my calves, a fire spreads up through my body, towards my core. My response to him is instant.
    So much for my vow to stay clear of him. I have to get away before I really do something stupid and embarrass myself even further.
    “Well, you can sit here all you like. I’m going inside though. Dad will be out any time now, I’m sure,” I say as I pick up my tea cup and head inside. I see Mom and Dad coming down the hallway, so I sit at the kitchen table to talk with them.
    “Dad, were you expecting company?”
    “Actually, Andi, I came to see you,” Ethan says as he comes in the doorway. He nods to Dad. “Good morning Ron, Bev. How are you both doing this morning?”
    “We’re fine, son. We can see you two need to talk, so we’re going to take our coffee out on the porch. Just let us know if you need anything.” Dad puts his hand on Mom’s lower back and escorts her outside.
    I can’t believe they both just walked out the door and left me alone to defend myself. Mom especially, with her knowing how hurt I was when we had our fight. She was the one who was there to dry my tears; she’s always been the one I talk to. Even though she’s never said it, I know she realizes why I haven’t been able to have a serious relationship with anyone else either.
    “Why are you here, Ethan? I have nothing to say to you, and I think it’s best that we just steer clear of each other. I’ll be going back to the city soon and will be out of your way. I didn’t mean to cause any problems for you by coming home for a visit. I didn’t know my car was going to break down or that you were working for Dad. I sure as hell didn’t know he would send you to rescue me either.”
    “My, my, you sure are saying a lot for not having anything to say.” He chuckles.
    “Is that why you’re here, to make fun of me?”
    Ethan strides over to me and tilts my chin up. His eyes are crystal blue and shining one minute, but then I watch as they start swirling into a dark blue, as if in a sea of emotions.
    “No, Andi, that isn’t why I’m here. I would never make fun of you to hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you to begin with.”
    “Well, good. Now that I know, you can go on your way.” I shake out of his hand. I can’t let him touch me; as soon as he does, he releases such a wave of desire through me I feel like I might drown in it. Sad part is, I would go down waving a white flag, smiling all the way.
    “Look, I’m not here to pick a fight with you, Andi. I’m here to talk, to move past all this tension between us. We used to be inseparable, and now we can’t even handle being in the same room together. I miss you. I miss us.”
    “Sure, okay, no more fighting. But there is no us, and there hasn’t ever been an us . Our friendship was beautiful, and I miss that too, but last night proves that we can’t go back to the way it was before. You