Page 52 of Hothead

Not good.

That was an understatement. Sometime between the countdown beginning and her current pacing of Woodvalley’s sidewalk, a shockingly loud internal struggle had started, playing tug-of-war with her head and her heart. She wasn’t ready for this to be the end. Not her time in Woodvalley. And not with Luke. But just because she felt this way, she was fully aware that it in no way meant Luke felt the same.

Mr. I’ve Never Had A Relationship was the ultimate bachelor. Or fuckboy, depending on who you were speaking to. The only reason he’d made an exception for her was because they had a deal. She was supposed to leave. And never come back.

It made things kind of tricky. It also made it highly likely that if she attempted a conversation about continuing whatever this was, he would laugh in her face. Or change the locks. Or both.

Goddamnit.

Bella whipped around with enough force that she actually heard air whoosh. But her step faltered as the next whoosh knocked the wind out of her. Her body hit a hard wall of muscle and her eyes were filled with flannel. By the time her head went up to meet a concerned Wade’s creased brow, he’d already taken several steps back.

“Bella, you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I? You turned so suddenly.”

Great. Way to look like a basket case.

Pacing the town center streets wasn’t a good look as it was. Plowing down pedestrians while doing it was even worse.

“Uh, yeah, sorry. I’m fine. Totally fine,” she lied.

“Okay,” Wade said slowly as he continued to study her, “I was just on my way over to the diner—wanna come grab a cuppa coffee with me?”

It was a pity invite. There was no doubt she looked like an unhinged basket case now.

“Uh, no, I’m fine. Really. I was just on my way to ...”Think. Make something up. Why can’t I think of anything?

“Seriously? That’s the best you can do?” Wade chuckled. “Come on, darlin’, let’s go. Coffee’s on me.”

Apparently, he wasn’t taking no for an answer, and Bella had no energy to put up a fight, so she followed along, both of them quiet until they took a seat in one of the red leather booths in Molly’s.

“So,” Wade started, “you gonna tell me what’s going on?”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Bella’s eyes shot to the menu as she pretended to scan it.

Wade sighed. “Come on, Bella. I know something’s up. Is it Luke—did he upset you?”

It was her turn to sigh. When did she become so transparent? She was usually so good at concealing her emotions and hiding her crazy. Luke had broken her.

“No, Luke hasn’t upset me. He’s ... he’s—”

“What can I get ya?”

Saved by the waitress. Buying Bella two whole minutes until she was in the hot seat again.

“He’s what?” Wade asked as soon as the waitress disappeared to fetch their drinks.

Urgh.“Look, he’s not done anything. That’s not the problem. The problem is that ... I think, no, IknowI’ve fallen for him.”Oh wow, that’s out there now, out loud and everything.

“And?” Wade didn’t even look the slightest bit shocked. Another reminder that she was doing a terrible job of hiding anything.

“And that’s bad. Really, really bad. That’s not what this was supposed to be. It’s not what we agreed.”

“And what exactly did you agree?”

“That this is temporary. We have fun for a few weeks, no strings, no commitment. Then I go home. Falling for him wasn’t part of the plan.” She was so fucked.

Leaning back into the squeaky cushion, Wade took his time studying her. Giving her the opportunity to draw in a few well-earned deep breaths.

“How do you know he’s not fallen for you too?”

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