From That Moment Read Online Free Page A

really?”
    “She’s really cute, and a medical student, so sexy you know?” 
    “Does she like you?” Colin wanted to make sure his friend was grounded in reality. Noah had a track record of friendships masquerading as love. Girls felt safe around him.
    “Well she kissed me.”
    “Damn. Well dude, be careful.”
    “I know.”
    “Don’t fall too hard too fast. Women are fickle creatures, and just as you most need and love them most, they disappear.”
    Noah looked at Colin sympathetically.
    “Colin, I know how hard it is for you to trust women after what your mom did. But Anu is not like that, I promise.”
    Colin felt his chest tighten. His friend had called him out and he was right. Hearing about his mom made him tense up. 
    “Have you ever figured out where she went after she left you guys?”
    “All I know is that she is somewhere in the woods with some hippie guy. Never calls.” 
    Colin’s head felt like it was going to explode. He grabbed his beer mug and chugged the rest of his beer. The cold beer soothed him as it went down. Soon his memories would be fuzzy.
    “Colin. Don’t you think you should get some help man?” Noah was a touchy-feely therapy-going guy, and not ashamed of it. 
    “I’m fine.” He stood up. “Let’s play a round.” He stumbled a bit as he headed for the pool tables. 
    *************
    Lia’s steps were brisk as she crossed the Longfellow Bridge spanning the Charles River. The lights of the buildings reflected off the glassy dark surface. She walked and walked without stopping. The events of that evening were playing over and over in her head. If she stopped, she would be too overpowered to move. Go go go . 
    Their touch at the end had lingered too long. Was it just her imagination? Was she the one who hadn’t wanted to let go? Such a brief connection, but so powerful. She thought back to their first meeting at the graduation party. She had seen him across the room, looking intently at her. Those brown eyes that made her melt inside.
    “Hold me,” she had asked Colin and he had wrapped his strong arms around her. They had swayed to the music, her head resting against his strong chest.  His hand had stroked her hair and the thumping of his heart had calmed her. That moment of connection had eased the pain she had been feeling since her dad had died.
    His smell, his comforting smell. The strength she had needed.  They had talked about everything. He understood her. He was the first person she had really talked to about her dad. “Right after my dad died, I would drive around in my car and scream at the top of my lungs so that no one could hear me.” He had held her hands and comforted her with his eyes.
    Too many drinks had loosened her inhibitions, and Lia had made a complete fool of herself that evening. Her chest felt tight as she remembered Colin’s look. Now the memory of that evening was seared in her mind as the most embarrassing moment of her life. Since then, she had taken full control of her behavior. All emotions were packed away, deep inside her. Never again.
    And now, what am I supposed to do? She thought of Colin, that hair, those piercing eyes, his muscular wide shoulders. She had lost control around him once; would she be able to keep herself under control this time? Maybe it’s that clean, fresh manly smell. She just wanted to bury her head in his strong chest, his arms wrapped around her protectively. She thought of their encounter in lab, earlier that evening. His confident demeanor had been replaced with awkward conversation and surly once-overs. He hates me, probably because of what happened at the party. I wouldn’t like myself either, if I were in his shoes. 
    Without realizing it, Lia had made it all the way to the Boston Public Garden.  The silent darkness engulfed her. Her heart was beating rapidly. She wanted to go back home to Gianna’s warm and cozy apartment. Why did I come out here?
    “Hey, pretty girl,” the voice came from