I'm Holding On Read Online Free

going home with him. Maybe it’s best we drop the whole thing. I just wanted to apologize. Now, stop acting like I’m not here today.”
    She’s searching my eyes, and I know she wants to see that we ’re cool. As usual, she has powdered sugar on her nose. I can’t be angry at her. I’m hurt, but I have no one but myself to blame. “We’re fine, Brynlee. Let’s forget it ever happened.”
    “What were you wanting to talk to me about the other night?” she asks.
    “Um, it’s nothing. Everything’s good.”
    She gives me that smile that normally makes everything better, but it hu rts this time since I probably won’t be seeing it forever. I grab her and hug her hard. I feel like I’m telling her goodbye, and in a way I am.
    Even if she never sees this guy again, her leaving with him and obviously not wanting to share the details with me show that we’re not on the same page. She even mentioned me finding someone else.
    “You realize you’re going to be covered in flour and sugar,” she says as I hug her.
    “It won’t be the first time so hug me back.”
    She does , and I don’t want to ever let go.

Old Friend, New Flame
    Three Months Later
    Brynlee
     
    The sun is shining bright when I approach the doors of the shop. It’s May, and I’m thrilled that it’s finally warming up a little. I ride the streetcar or bus every day, so it can make for a chilly trip.
    Drew isn’t in this morning and it’s strange. It seems he’s been working a different schedule lately, and I can’t help but think it’s to avoid me. We still spend time together but not as often.
    He comes into the kitchen about half as much as he use d to. He’s still always pleasant, and we share a lot when we do talk, but I can tell he’s pulling away. Ever since that night at the bar, when I took Mark home, things have seemed off.
    I did tell him that having me by his side probably hurt his chances of finding someone. Maybe it was an aha moment for him. The way he’s pulled away shows we don’t share the same feelings.
    The kitchen door swings open and Tish walks in.
    “Hi, chickadee,” she says enthusiastically.
    “Hi, Tish.”
    “ Where’s my eye candy? Is he still MIA?”
    “Yes, and I’m tired of it. I don’t know what went wrong.” I stop what I’m doing and dust off my hands before I hand Tish a brownie. She expects it like a dog expects a treat.
    Her blonde hair is laying perfectly, and her makeup is on thick in true Tish fashion. Only someone as gorgeous as she could pull off her short hair style. Tish is a beautician, and she definitely has the personality for it.
    “You need to go for it, Bryn. If he’s already distancing himself, then what do you have to lose?”
    “True. I didn’t think about it like that. I guess I could tell him how much I like him and see what happens.”
    “Do it. I’ve been listening to you cry about this for over two years. I’ve seen the way he looks at you, and I think he feels the same.”
    “Actually, It’s been two years and three months since I met him. OK, I’ll do it.”
    “Fabulous. Let me know what happens. I have to head out. I ha ve a steamy date tonight. This one is a banker, and he has awesome hair, so wish me luck.” Tish winks before she kisses my cheek and blows out of here like the wind.
    I text Drew before I finish up my work day to see if he wants to get together. I also mention that there’s something I need to speak to him about. This is it. I’m going to make my move and tell him how much I like him.
    The courage I’ve built up is deflated when he replies that he’s spending the evening catching up with a friend. The old Drew wouldn’t have hesitated to ask me to join them. I decide to call Andrea.
    “Hello,” she says.
    “It’s your favorite roommate.”
    “Of course, doll . Even if we had more, you’d still be my favorite. What’s up?”
    “Can we have a girl ’s night? I’ll buy the alcohol. I need to share something with