What He's Been Missing Read Online Free

Dupree’s head has always been in his books.
    â€œYeah . . . whatever . . . hello .” Ian quickly pulled me into the suite. There was a little sitting area set up before a hallway that led to the main dining room. I could see that the room was already half full.
    â€œPeople are already here?” I asked.
    â€œIt’s eight fifteen.”
    â€œThe party started at eight,” I pointed out with surprise in my voice.
    Ian gave me one of his looks. He had baby cheeks and penny-colored eyes that matched his skin. He was more cute than handsome. We’d become fast friends after that orientation at FAMU. He loved that I was from the country and didn’t ever know anything he was talking about. I loved that he was from New Orleans (a big city to me) and seemed to know everything no one was talking about. With one of his books in his back pocket, we’d walk through campus debating the world. He had all the information. I had the neurotic opinions. Ian never seemed to notice all the girls standing around looking at him with thirsty eyes. I’d play into it. Laugh like he’d just said something really funny, link arms with him, and stare past their needy ciphers like we were so connected we couldn’t see them. My roommate said I had a crush on him, but really I just liked the attention of walking around the yard with the cutest guy on campus and I figured I was keeping Ian single until the right woman came along.
    â€œCome on, Ian. Who comes to an eight o’clock party before nine in Atlanta? If the invitation says eight, that means they’ll still be setting up at eight. It’s just courteous to get there at nine.”
    â€œSure,” Ian said. “Well, Scarlet’s friends got news of the proposal, and by seven thirty they were lined up outside like it was the running of the bulls.”
    Right then, I wanted to say something sweet to congratulate Ian on his big move, but I was still trying to figure out how to convince him to call the proposal off. Journey was right—I had to support my friend, but if he called it off himself, I’d have nothing to support.
    â€œHow’d they find out?” I asked.
    â€œI told Scarlet’s best friend.”
    â€œYeah, that’ll do it.” I looked into the room of well-dressed, wide-eyed women and realized that Ian hadn’t moved to go inside. “You nervous?”
    â€œNot really . . . I’m just . . . I can’t believe this is it. The big step! The biggest step!” Ian peered into the room like he was in a trance. There was a cake in the middle of the table. Champagne bottles and flutes were scattered all around. “It’s surreal. Kind of exciting. Like bungee jumping or skydiving!” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a book.
    â€œWhat’s that?”
    â€œIt’s called The Psychology of Love . I’ve been reading it all day and it says that it’s normal for people to feel like this before making such a big decision to move forward.”
    Ian was pacing and rolling the little book up in his hands.
    â€œFeel like what?”
    â€œFeel like—” Ian stopped and looked at me like I’d asked the dumbest question in the world. “Nervous! Yes, Rach, I’m nervous! I mean, I really love Scarlet, but this is a lot.” He looked so helpless.
    â€œIan—” I snatched the book and threw it to the floor. “Look, this is about love. Not something you read in a book. Not jumping from a plane in a parachute or a bridge with a rope tied to your waist. It’s about experiencing the kind of love that makes you feel so free that you’re flying and you can’t even worry about where your feet will land, because you don’t intend on ever touching the ground again. That’s what getting engaged is about,” I say, lost in the moment as I considered the concept for myself. “Finding an angel that’s so wonderful,