At First Sight - Nicholas Sparks [11]
See, he did know her, despite what Alvin said. Granted, not everything yet, but there was time for that. He’d learn about her, and she’d learn about him, and little by little they’d settle into their own routine. Oh, he knew there were going to be some surprises—there always were—but it went with the territory of being a couple. In time, she’d get to know the real Jeremy, the Jeremy unburdened by the endless need to impress. Around her, he could be himself, someone who occasionally lounged around in sweats or ate Doritos in front of the television.
He clasped his hands behind his head, feeling suddenly content. She would love the real him.
Wouldn’t she?
He frowned, wondering suddenly if she knew what she was getting into. Knowing the real him might not be such a good idea, he realized. Not that he viewed himself as bad or unworthy, but like everyone, he had . . . quirks that might take her some time to get used to. She was going to learn, for instance, that he always left the seat on the toilet up. He always had and always would, but what if it was a problem for her? It was a big problem for one of his ex-girlfriends, he remembered. And what was she going to think about the fact that, as a general rule, he was far more concerned with how the Knicks were doing than anything having to do with the latest drought in Africa? Or that—as long as it seemed okay—he’d sometimes been known to eat food that had fallen on the floor? That was the real him, but what if she wasn’t too happy about it? What if she considered them not quirks, but actual flaws in his character? And what about—
“What are you thinking?” Lexie’s voice interrupted his thoughts. “You look like you just swallowed a bug.”
He noticed that she was staring at him.
“I’m not perfect, you know.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m just telling you right up front that I’ve got flaws.”
She seemed amused. “Really? And I thought you could walk on water.”
“I’m serious. I just think you should know what you’re getting into before we get married.”
“In case I want to back out?”
“Exactly. I have quirks.”
“Like what?”
He thought about it, deciding it might be best if he started small.
“I leave the water faucet running when I brush my teeth. I don’t know why, I just do. I don’t know if I can change.”
Trying to maintain a serious expression, she nodded. “I think I can handle that.”
“And sometimes—just so you know—I stand in front of the refrigerator with the door open for a long time while I try to figure out what I want to eat. I know I’m letting the cold air out, but I can’t help it. It’s who I am.”
She nodded again, still amused. “I understand. Anything else?”
He shrugged. “I don’t eat broken cookies. If all that’s left in the bag are broken cookies, I just throw the bag out. I know it’s a waste, but I’ve always been that way. They taste different.”
“Mmm,” she said. “It’ll be tough, but I suppose I can live with that.”
He pursed his lips, wondering whether he should mention the toilet bowl seat. Knowing it was a hot-button issue with some women, he decided to pass for the time being.
“Are you okay with all this?”
“I suppose I have to be.”
“Really?”
“Positive.”
“What if I told you I cut my toenails in bed?”
“Don’t push it, buster.”
He grinned, pulling her closer. “You love me even if I’m not perfect?”
“Of course I do.”
Amazing, he thought.
As Lexie and Jeremy approached Boone Creek, just as the first stars were appearing in the sky, Jeremy’s first thought was that the place hadn’t changed a bit. Not that he’d expected it to; as far as he could tell, things around here hadn’t changed in the last hundred years. Or maybe three hundred,