Page 132 of Your Place or Mine

“I want to believe that,” she said. “But you have this… aura.”

I snorted. “Aura?”

“Yeah. Like a guy who’s two seconds from bolting or picking a fight with his own feelings.”

I couldn’t argue with that.

Melanie leaned back. “So. What now?”

“I don’t know,” I said honestly. “She deserves… more. And I don’t want to hurt her.”

“You already did. So the only question is whether you’re gonna keep hurting her or step up and figure it out.”

I stared at the counter, then back at her. “You’re really not scared of me, are you?”

She smirked. “Not even a little.”

I shook my head, but a reluctant smile tugged at my mouth. “You’re a menace.”

“And you’re a mess. But maybe not beyond repair.”

She stood, grabbed her purse, and shot me one last look before heading for the door.

“I’ll give you a day,” she said. “Then I’m butting back in.”

The door closed behind her, leaving the bar in silence again.

But this time, it wasn’t so light.

Because she was right.

About all of it.

And I wasn’t sure what terrified me more…that I’d already messed it up or that I hadn’t yet and still could.

Chapter Thirty

Lydia

I stared at my phone like it might do a magic trick.

Nothing.

No text. No call. Not even a sarcastic littlestill alivecheck-in that Callum could’ve easily sent if he had half a mind to.

I’d messaged him that morning. Just a simpleHey, hope today’s not kicking your ass.Casual, light. I’d reread it three times before hitting send, terrified it sounded too needy, too hopeful.

He hadn’t replied.

That was six hours ago.

I told myself he was busy. Maybe the bar was slammed. Maybe he dropped his phone in the sink or got sucked into one of those black holes behind the bar where receipts and coasters went to die.

But deep down?

I felt it.

That familiar slow-drip dread of beingtoo muchfor someone who couldn’t handle feelings.

---