All I Need by Rachel Hanna

Author:Rachel Hanna
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rachel Hanna

Chapter 7

The first place they went was to Breakers for dinner, which gave them lots of time to chat about life. Ronni told Brad more of her checkered past than she’d anticipated, but it felt good to finally be honest with someone about everything that had happened all those years ago. And he didn’t seem to judge her for it at all.

He listened, he asked questions (because he's Brad, of course, and Brad asks questions) but there was no judgment on his face. Instead, there was genuine concern and understanding.

As someone who'd lost his own father at a young age, he at least understood those feelings of absence that not having a father brought. But more than that, he seemed to accept her right where she was, faults and all.

And it terrified her.

Did she really want to go down this road again? The whole falling in love and then disappointing another person thing? The one other time she'd opened her heart to someone - Evan - it had ended in disaster. One person left holding the bag of a two-year relationship. Feelings felt, hearts torn open, future plans dashed. The whole love thing sucked, and she'd vowed never to do it again.

Nope, she'd work until she died, own cats and learn to knit.

And then Brad appeared, like a khaki beach mirage, and now everything was spiraling out of her control again.

Jeez, it was their first date. Maybe she was overreacting. Maybe it wouldn't work out, and she wouldn't have feelings for him. Problem was, she already did.

And if it was possible, they felt stronger. They felt more uncontrollable. And she was all about control.

Dang it.

They walked toward the car after their dinner, and she was feeling something unfamiliar in her gut. Then she realized what it was. Peace.

Brad was just this easygoing soul who wanted nothing from her except her company. He wanted to know more about her and what made her tick, but he didn't want to change it. He didn't want to change her. That was something she hadn't experienced before in her life.

"So, where are we going now?" she asked, fully aware that he had to have other plans since it was barely getting dark.

"Oh, I have my plans. Just try to relax, Ronni. Let someone else have control for a bit, okay?" he said. Any other time, she would've fired back, but the way he said it wasn't condescending or accusatory. It was reassuring. It was like someone saying "It's okay. I've got this. Don't worry because I'm taking care of you right now." And she liked it.

They climbed into his truck and he started driving toward the pier. Moments later, they were in the parking lot, but she knew the ferry wasn't running that late. Resisting the urge to ask questions, she sat quietly enjoying letting Brad be in control for a few minutes.

He parked the truck and walked around, opening her door and reaching up for her hand. She took his and stepped down onto the pavement, the sound of ocean waves crashing behind them.

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