Revel (Second Chance Romance #1) Read Online Free Page B

would have fawned over, a loud and mean party guy screaming at passersby on King Street on Friday night after drinking too much.
    But his eyes were kind. They didn’t match the rest of him.
    “Sorry,” Charlotte said, gingerly accepting his offered hand so she could stand back up. “I wasn’t looking.”
    “It’s just as much my fault,” he said, smiling now. “Are you okay?”
    “I’m fine,” she said, looking down at her hands. They were bleeding.
    “Shit!” he said. “I feel terrible. You’re bleeding.”
    Charlotte shook her head, “It’s not a big deal. Just some scrapes. I’m heading back anyway.”
    “Do you live far? Or did you park your car on the Mt P end?” he asked.
    “No, I came from the East Bay end. I live on that side. I’m seriously fine. You can keep going on your run or whatever.” Charlotte was mortified now. She just wanted him to go back on his way and leave her be.
    “That’s where I came from too,” he said. “I’ll walk you back.”
    “Totally unnecessary,” she said.
    He looked at her for a moment and she couldn’t read the expression on his face.
    “You’re always this stubborn?” he asked. “I was taught you walk a girl home even in the best of circumstances. And certainly in ones such as this. I wouldn’t feel right.”
    Charlotte sighed, “Well, if you insist. That’s fine. It’s a long walk though.”
    “I have nowhere to be. I’m Declan, by the way.”
    “I’m Charlotte,” she said, and they began to walk.
     
    ********
     
    Declan could tell she’d been crying. Her eyes were red, and with ones as large and distinct as hers were, it was hard to hide emotion in them. He was immediately stunned at their beauty, at her beauty in general. Her face was framed by wild hair, the color of a sunset, and again those eyes. He wanted to fix what made them look so sad. He didn’t even know her full name yet, but he was determined to make things right in her world.
    I mean, what was a beautiful girl doing crying at the top of the Ravenel Bridge?
    But he sensed that pointing out how upset she appeared to be wouldn’t get him very far. And he wanted to know what he could about Charlotte. If she would let him in, that is.
    “So,” he said as they started walking back towards the peninsula end of the Ravenel. “You walk the bridge much?”
    Charlotte shrugged, “Maybe a couple times a week.”
    “Me too,” Declan said. “I’m surprised we haven’t run into one another before this.”
    “I usually come early in the morning,” Charlotte said. “You’re probably not even awake yet. Or maybe haven’t even gone to bed.”
    Declan laughed, “And how do you know? You think I’m some big party guy?”
    “Well, yes,” she said. “You kind of look like you’d be in a frat or something. Am I wrong?”
    Dammit, she wasn’t wrong, she was completely spot on.
    “Well, yeah,” he said. “But I don’t party that much these days. Or, at least I’ve curbed it.”
    Charlotte sighed, “Well, I guess that’s good. Or whatever. I don’t know. But yeah, everyone here seems to be into the Greek life.”
    “You’re not in a sorority?” Declan asked.
    Charlotte shook her head, “I don’t pay for friends. Not that I wouldn’t if I could, to be honest. I just can’t afford to. So it’s just easier to say I don’t.”
    It was shockingly honest and Declan nodded, “It’s hard to make friends here so Greek life is an easy way. I bet you could have had your pick if you’d bid.”
    Charlotte looked at him, “Why would you think that?”
    Declan was rarely the guy that was nervous around any girl. But something about how she looked at him suddenly made him sheepish, “I don’t know. You just… Well, you’re pretty and you seem smart and…” He was really reaching now.
    “How do you know I’m smart? You’ve only been talking to me for five minutes,” she said, looking forward again. “I mean, I am smart. But you don’t know something like that