Keep Me Safe by Elaine Breson Page A

was a fire growing inside of me that had been missing for a long time, and the reason for it was Parker.
    When we got back to my house, Parker let me out and walked me to my door. I got my keys out and unlocked the door. I stood there not wanting to turn the doorknob. “Thank you for dinner. It was great.”
    “You’re welcome. Trust me, it was my pleasure.” He gave me a sideways smile and stood there with his hands in pockets.
    “Parker, for what it’s worth, thanks for understanding my issues that I’m still working through. I promise they have nothing to do with you.”
    “No worries, really. You don’t owe me any explanation.” He hesitated, but took a few steps backwards. “Goodnight, Sadie. I’ll call you?”
    I smiled at him as I leaned into the side of the house. “I’d like that. I do still owe you another date, after all.”
    “I’ll hold you to that. Talk to you soon.” He offered me one more smile, then turned around and walked away. As I opened the door and went to walk inside, I felt his hand on my arm pulling me back around.
    “I hope this doesn’t scare you away, but I just want you to know that I’ll be as patient as you need me to be. There’s something about you that I can’t get out of my head and I don’t want you off my mind. Whatever issues you’re working on, I want to be there for you. I’m not asking you for anything. I mean, God, I just met you a week ago. But I just needed you to know that. Don’t be worried about scaring me away because I don’t think you could.”
    I looked down at his hand on my arm and let out the breath that I didn’t realize I was holding. I opened my mouth to say something, but nothing came out. Parker leaned forward and kissed my cheek. I closed my eyes and smiled, my whole body tingling when I felt his breath on my face as he lingered there. I don’t know why I was suddenly fighting to hold back tears, but I bit the inside of my cheek to keep the emotion off my face. When Parker backed away, he met my eyes and smiled. If he keeps looking at me like that, I’m a goner.
    I walked in the house, shut the door behind me and leaned against it. I brought my hand up to my cheek and held it there for a minute, completely baffled that there was not a single moment of fear in our entire exchange. I felt my tears building again, but for once in a really long time, they weren’t out of pain or worry. I liked Parker and now there was no doubt he liked me too. Please don’t let my insecurities screw this up.
    I went upstairs, changed, and got into bed. Our date replayed in my mind a few times before I drifted off to sleep with a smile in my heart.
     
     
     

 
    Six
     
     
    I rolled over and opened my eyes Saturday morning and heard the seagulls squawking outside. That was one of my favorite sounds and I loved being so close to it all the time. I could see out my bedroom window that faced the ocean and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, the typical Florida sun shining as bright and hot as usual.
    I went downstairs and fixed up my already brewed coffee and then went out to the back porch. I sat on one of the navy blue chaise lounge chairs that faced the beach. I loved to go out there and read at night, listening to the crashing waves and looking at the stars. I was excited for the day my patio was more than just a couple of lounge chairs. There really was no place to compare it to though. Except maybe further down on the beach with Parker.
    “Hey Sadie!” I snapped out of my daydream, and saw Beth walking towards me. “I’m glad you’re up, I was just getting ready to have Tyler mow the yard.”
    “Good morning! Yeah, sleeping in was heavenly. I’ve missed it for the last four months.”
    “I bet! I don’t always get up to see Matt and Tyler off in the mornings. Matt takes him to school before he goes to work.” She stood on the steps to my wooden deck and leaned against the railing. “I was just coming over to make sure you were still going