CHAPTER 1:
"I want you to want me
I need you to need me
I'd love you to love me."
Letters to Cleo (I want you to want me)
"Patch," I breathed in. "I love you."
As I sat on his lap, in his jeep, with our foreheads pushing against each other, I said those words. Right then I couldn't look at him. I couldn't believe they'd escaped my mouth.
I felt him breathe in deeply for a moment, his warm palms cupping my face. He kissed my lips.
"Nora..."
Was he going to say it?
"I have to go."
My head shot up. I just told him I loved him and that was all he could manage to say? I joked to hide the hurt I was feeling just then. "Are you cheating on me? I thought you were MY guardian angel. Who else are you protecting?"
He laughed. "I've got some business to take care of. It can't wait."
"All right," I said, disappointed. I slugged off his lap and manoeuvred myself out of the passenger door. "I'll see you tomorrow, right?" I asked, nonchalantly as I landed on the gravel of my driveway.
Patch was in front of me in a flash. "Angel," he said with a reprimanding smile.
"What?" I prompted. Can you please take a hint!
His left eyebrow arched parallel to his one-sided smile. It was hard to be upset with him when he looked at me that way. Wasn't it enough that Patch rejected my self-sacrifice and chose to have me instead of a human body? Wasn't it enough that I had him here with me now?
Patch held out his hand. I smiled with joy and accepted. His hand enveloped mine and he walked me to my door. I never wanted to be away from his warmth, but this was his cue to leave. I'd have to wait till tomorrow to see him again, to kiss him again.