"He did?" He really was a keeper. She nodded. "Now, go out there and stop that sexy man from pacing."
"Ames, it's not just his looks. He's kind, sweet, funny, understanding--"
"--I know, but it should be illegal to look that good! Did you notice the way he leaves his shirt unbuttoned?"
I rolled my eyes. "No, I'm blind."
She laughed. "Just checking." She hugged me and I walked out of the restroom. Keith was indeed pacing but stopped.
"Amanda," he said softly. The way he said my name made me go weak.
We walked to down the hallway and turned into a room that was hardly used.
"How's your arm?" He gently rubbed where Bryan had grabbed me.
"It's better now."
He bit his lip. "I'm sorry about punching him. I just got so upset and I figured I could take the blame. I-"
"-It's okay, I was afraid that he was going to slap me, I wanted to hit him too."
He got a puzzled look on his face, "Then why did-"
"I ran off because I was sure that after all that's happened you'd want nothing to do with me." I looked down, but he gently tilted my head back up.
He scratched the side of his face. "No chance…I um . . . wanted to tell you that although we've just met, I feel like I've known you for years. I'm falling for you, Amanda, and earlier today when you got shot I was so worried. I kept thinking I can't lose something so special I didn't know I had." He moved closer to me so that we were less than an inch apart. I found it hard to breathe. "I want you to know I'm here and nothing will change the way I feel." He gazed lovingly at me.
So this is what real love feels like. I cared and felt so deeply for him that I knew there was no one else for me. In less than a day, he had stolen my heart. "I feel the same way. I've found myself drawn to you." I put my hand on his shoulder and he put his arms around my waist. I felt so content and safe in his arms, we fit perfectly together. "Keith, I've never felt this way. I've always been independent but now I feel like I don't need to be. I know I can turn to you and I don't have to be strong, like earlier when you let me cry. I've never cried in front of anyone. I let my guard down because I've fallen for you too. I want to take things slow though, because I know what we have will be special and I don't want it to be ruined." I hugged him and he stroked my hair. We slowly pulled apart then he softly kissed my cheek and turned to go.