I Adore You // Braeden Lemasters

Chapter 13: Nobody Gets Me (Like You)

"So, what changed?" Braeden asked, sipping his coffee. He'd gone to visit Natalie at work on a slow Monday evening.

She sat across from him, taking in his features.

"What do you mean?" She asked with a sly smile.

"Well," he said, being serious for once. "You wanted nothing to do with me before. But you miss my texts and want to see me? Why now?"

She sucked in her lips, indecisive about what to say. She thought for a moment.

"I thought a lot about things. I thought a lot about you. You have always been nothing but kind to me. I missed that." She sipped her tea for a moment, still thinking. "I think I deserve to be happy." She shrugged.

"You 'think' you deserve to be happy?" He questioned. "You do. You shouldn't think it, you should know it."

She smiled bashfully, eyes falling to her cup of tea. "Yeah." She said softly.

"So what exactly do you want?" He asked. "What is it you want with me?"

"I just think maybe we should take things slow for a little bit and see where things go. I don't wanna think too far ahead. Are you okay with that?"

"I am more than okay with that." He said surely, shedding a grin.

"I have a whole year left of school here before graduation, I might as well enjoy it."

"I completely agree." He said happily.

When Natalie's shift was over she headed for the door, Braeden following close behind. He walked her to her car, and she turned to face him.

She smiled, looking up at him.

"I hope whatever happens between us, we can always be friends. I'd rather have you in my life as a friend than not at all." Braeden said sweetly.

He put his hand out in front of him, "So do we like shake hands?"

Natalie started laughing. She pulled him close to her and gave him a nice hug, rubbing his back. Then she pecked him on the cheek,

"I'll see you soon?"

"I hope so." He said.