Page 22 of Fauxmance

I liked Hayden.

Which was basically a disaster waiting to happen. I didn't have a great track record when it came to guys. Correction, my record was almost non-existent. The only boyfriend I'd ever had had broken up with me earlier today, for goodness sakes. This was no time to be forming a new crush. If I had a type, Hayden would definitely be it, but I knew from all that he'd said, I definitely wasn't his.

Maybe it was the proximity, I mused. Or I could just be mistaking the joy of new friendship for romantic feelings. That made a lot more sense. Friends I could handle. You could never have too many friends.

And yet, as we danced, I felt myself fall a little.

CHAPTER 5

After a few songs, my phone conked out. I wasn't sure how much time had passed since then. Ten minutes? Thirty? An hour? It felt like longer, but that could've just been because after the music, the sudden absence of sound made the moments stretch.

Time ceased to exist.

I was currently sitting with my back propped against one wall while Hayden lay on the floor, taking up nearly half the space. He'd folded his jacket and placed it under his head like a pillow. His eyes were closed as if taking a nap, but I knew he was awake. Every now and then, he'd drum his fingers against his stomach.

"How long do you think we've been in here?" I asked.

"Not sure," he said.

"I can't believe no one's come to find us yet."

Hayden gave a slight shrug.

"You're so calm." I shook my head, pulling my knees tighter to my chest. "Wish I could be like that."

"You can," he said. "Just don't think about it."

Easy for him to say, I thought. Hayden looked cool as a cucumber.

"Maybe we should try yelling again," I suggested.

He didn't budge.

"Feel free. I'm just going to rest my eyes." A small smile appeared on his face, and I couldn't look away. "All that dancing tired me out. Plus, the floor's surprisingly comfortable."

Okay, it was kind of funny. Hayden's long legs were crossed at the ankle, and he did look peaceful. But we still had to find a way out of this.

"So, you're just going to sleep," I said.

He hummed.

"Don't you want to be rescued?"

"Of course," Hayden said, briefly opening his eyes and meeting mine. "But to be honest, it's not so bad being stuck in here with you. I could think of worse ways to spend an evening."

My cheeks went hot at his words, but I said nothing.

"It'll be fine, Magnolia. You'll see."

He went back to his nap, and I looked away, intending to do the same. If Hayden could sleep through this, so could I. Maybe a little rest and relaxation was just what the doctor ordered. Leaning my head to the side, I tried to let go. Hayden wasn't the only one who was tired. All of the initial stress and anxiety had hit me like a ton of bricks. I would've been happy to fall asleep.

Unfortunately, I was finding it difficult.

I hadn't noticed before. Maybe it was because we'd been talking so much, finding different things to do—or maybe Hayden's presence was just that distracting. But it was cold in the elevator.

Like icy cold.

My skin seemed to attract the chill. The slight sheen of sweat I'd worked up while dancing didn't help. Goosebumps scattered along my exposed arms, and I knew my nose had to be red. My teeth started chattering before I could stop them.

---