Page 105 of The Image of You

Without thinking, I clasped her hand in mine. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. Maybe one day you will.”

She relaxed, leaving her hand in mine. I stroked my thumb over her skin gently.

“Can you tell me something about our friendship?”

I sucked in a fast breath, knowing I would have to tread carefully. “We were close. You liked to come for rides on my motorcycle, and we’d have picnics.”

Her eyes widened. “Really? On a motorcycle?”

“You loved it.”

“What else?” she asked eagerly.

“You helped me make my place homier. It was pretty sparse when I met you. You—” I stumbled over my words— “you helped make it a home, Ally.”

“I like it when you call me Ally,” she whispered.

I smiled and lifted her hand, dropping a kiss on the smooth surface. “Good.”

She pulled her hand away and picked up her latte.

But she had a small smile on her face.

Was there a chance my words stirred something in her?

“What else?” she asked.

“You always called me out on my swearing.” I grinned. “And you always had grape suckers in your purse for me.”

She smiled back, and I reveled in the sight of her lips turned upward for me.

I kept the conversation light and relaxed, wanting her to be comfortable with me. It seemed to work, the tension easing from her shoulders as we chatted. I dropped hints in our conversation. How she loved to burrow under the blankets. How often she stole my coffee. Her love of honey on toast. Small pieces of information to help jog her memory.

When she was ready to go, I walked her back to the building her parents lived in. As we approached it, I was desperate. Our time was coming to an end, and I didn’t want to leave her. Time was against me, yet I had to make sure Sarah and Ronald didn’t know I was back.

I was anxious now that we would be separated. I glanced around, making sure we weren’t seen, and stopped a couple of buildings away, stepping into the doorway. Cupping her elbow, I drew her in with me, forcing myself not to pull her into my arms. “I need to leave you here.”

“Why?”

I decided to be honest. “Your mother doesn’t like me. She wouldn’t approve of us having coffee together.” I brushed a stray curl back from her forehead, my fingers lingering, using the time to feel the silkiness of her hair. “Bradley doesn’t like me much either. You might not want to mention we saw each other.”

I knew if they found out, she’d disappear. I’d find her again, but I didn’t want to take the chance.

“Oh. They didn’t like you…before?”

“No.”

“Oh,” she repeated.

“We used to meet away from them.” I sucked in a deep lungful of air. “Often with Elena.”

Her eyes widened. “You knew Elena?” she breathed.

“Very well. I adored her.” I sighed and spoke in a tender voice. “She loved you very much.”

Tears filled her eyes, and her lips started to quiver. “I miss her.”

“I do too.”