Dare - Where I Am

Where I Am

Michelle Dare

Published by Michelle Dare

Copyright 2018 Michelle Dare

First Edition, eBook - Published 2018

Cover Design by Q Design

Photography by Paul Henry Serres

Interior Design by Riane Holt

Editing by Barren Acres Editing

Proofreading by Tiffany Landers

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, resold, or transmitted in any form without written permission from the copyright holder, except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages for review purposes.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are a product of the authors imagination. If the location is an actual place, all details of said place are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to businesses, landmarks, living or dead people, and events is purely coincidental.

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Michelle Dare

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Astoria

He was the man of my dreams, or so I thought. I wasn't sure how I'd react when I saw him again. I planned on avoiding him, but our small hometown made that impossible. The years apart melted away when I saw him. Time hadn't changed my feelings, after all. Jealousy flared anew. My heart, which I thought had healed, was back to being in a million pieces.

Now I'm right where I don't want to bein front of him with tears in my eyes.

Parker

Everything isn't always as it seems. One moment could cause a ripple effect with unexpected consequences that last for years. Not a day had gone by that I didn't think of her. When our paths crossed again, I knew I had to tell her the truth. Arguing was inevitable, but I'd rather fight for her than face another day without her. My heart always belonged to her.

Where I am is standing in front of herasking for another chance.

Table of Contents

Prologue

Four Years Ago

Astoria

Ten days. Almost two weeks. Everything in my bedroom is packed and ready for when I leave. There isnt anything left for me to do. Now, nothing can drag me away from Parker. I have ten wonderful days to spend with him.

If someone would have told me I'd fall hard and fast for a guy I only met three months ago, I'd say they'd lost their mind. Yet, here I am, on my way to my boyfriend's apartment to spend time with him before I leave for college. A man I love utterly and completely. Im going to soak up all the love and attention hes willing to give me while I try and keep the tears, which are certain to form, at bay. Ive spent so much of my time with him that to think of being away, and not being able to have his arms around me, almost brings me to my knees with misery.

Before I met Parker, Id only read about love at first sight. It was something in books or movies. It didnt exist in real life. Or so I thought. Parker is tall, has these amazing green eyes, and thick, blond hair. I love running my fingers through it when we watch a movie. He lays his head on my lap and I comb my fingers through his soft, short locks. He'll let out a long breath of contentment at my touch. It warms me to know I have that effect on him.

When I was in my car, ready to leave my house, I texted him to say I was on my way. The apartment he's renting is only ten minutes from my parents house, which, coincidentally, is on the same street as his parents home. Arrow Falls is a small town.

Pulling into a spot outside his apartment, I park next to a newer-looking, white Jeep Grand Cherokee. I've never seen this particular SUV before, and it's parked crooked in the spot next to Parker's car. Like they flew in here in a hurry. I hope everything is okay with whoever it is.

Grabbing my purse, I shut off my car and lock it before briskly taking the stairs to the second floor. Theres a nervous anticipation inside me. It happens every time I see Parker. I like to refer to it as butterflies, which flutter when hes near.

When I met Parker, I had butterflies at first sight.

I was driving with my friend, Mackenzie, and we were approaching a local park that had a basketball court. I could see those chiseled abs of his from the street. My mouth dropped open as my eyes took in every square inch of him. The next thing I knew, Kenzie was yelling for me to keep my car straight. When I snapped to, I realized I was drifting dangerously close to a car parked along the side of the road. And by close, I mean I came within inches of scraping up a black Jaguar. I slammed on the brakes, bringing my car to a screeching halt. My hands were shaking as I gripped the steering wheel to try and calm myself. Id never had an accident, not even a minor one. My parents would have killed me if I hit someone elses car because I wasn't paying attention.

As I was trying to calm my racing heart, someone knocked on the window. I jumped, turned, and came face-to-face with Mr. Handsome himself. Parker's mouth was drawn into a thin line, his eyes were narrowed, and his sweaty hair lay spread out on his forehead. I couldn't do anything but stare. Not open my mouth, speak a single word, hell, I dont think I blinked. I sat there frozen. Kenzie had to reach across me to push the button to roll down the tinted window for me.

Once he saw me, his features softened slightly. "You almost hit my car," he said very matter-of-fact, but there was a hint of something else in his tone. Something that matched the slight quirk of his lips.

I was still mute, so Kenzie spoke up, never missing a beat. "She was distracted by a hot body on the court." I turned to glare at her, a blush quickly spreading across my cheeks. She flipped her platinum locks over her shoulder and winked at me.

"Hot body, huh?" he said with mirth in his voice.

Turning back to him, I nodded. It was all I could do. He smiled then rested his muscular forearm on my door. Even sweaty, he smelled good; like summer and crisp mountain air mixed with rugged hot guy.

"I'm Parker," he introduced with an outstretched hand.

I couldn't do anything but stare at it. Then Kenzie shook his hand. I slapped her arm away then covered my mouth. What the hell was I doing? I'd never smacked her, even in teasing.

"I'm sorry," I said quickly.

"No, you're not." She winked again. Good God, this girl. She was trying to get me in trouble. The kind of trouble where I end up kissing the hot guy hanging on my car door.

Parker's hand was still inside my car, hanging casually, waiting for me to accept it. Finally getting my shit together, I took it in mine.

"And you are?" he asked.

"Astoria," I said breathily. It was not like me to react like this to a guy. I was usually indifferent. I've had them vying for my attention since I started high school. None of them caught my eye like Parker did.

I didn't think much of my looks. Long, auburn hair, blue eyes, and a thin frame. I wasn't as curvy as the other girls my age. My hips were narrow and my breasts on the smaller side. I still thought all the guys wanted to be with me because of my last name. I came from a wealthy family.

"Astoria." Parker rolled my name off his tongue, and it was sexy as hell. It had me melting in my seat. "I'm glad you didn't hit my car, Tora." I'd never heard that nickname before.