Page 24 of Fauxmance

"I just don't want you to get the wrong idea," he said. "Gentlemen may exist. But I'm not one of them."

I gave him major side-eye, but he shook his head.

"It's true."

"Sean, my ex," I said, "never noticed when I was cold or upset."

Hayden sniffed. "Yeah, he sounds like a real winner."

"My point is maybe you don't see yourself clearly."

I couldn't be sure, but I thought Hayden was on the verge of a smile. He certainly looked amused as he stared down at me.

"What would he say if he could see you now, Maggie?" he said. "Sitting next to one of the hottest, most eligible guys in the U.S.?"

"I think you're giving yourself a little too much credit," I scoffed.

"I bet he'd be jealous."

Lifting one shoulder, I said, "I don't think so. Sean wasn't overly emotional. When he ended things, he didn't even seem sad."

And that had gutted me.

"Want to know the worst part?"

Hayden nodded, and I laid my head against his shoulder. There was no way I'd be able to say this next bit while looking at him. Even without eye contact, I didn't know if I'd be able to admit it out loud.

"He's the only guy I've ever kissed," I whispered.

"Seriously?" Hayden asked.

I gave a short nod. "Yep. We were so young when we got together. I thought he was the one. But today, when he let me go, there weren't any tears. There was no regret in his voice. He just looked relieved."

It was silent for a moment.

"I guess it doesn't matter anyway. Kissing is overrated."

Hayden leaned away, lifting my head so I had to look at him.

"Why do you say that?" he asked.

"People always make it sound so amazing," I said. "Kisses are supposed to cause fireworks, make you hear symphonies, touch you on a soul-deep level. I used to believe all the hype. I wasa hopeless romantic through and through."

I shrugged.

"But my first kiss wasn't like that. Actually, no kiss I had after was like that either. Like I said, it's overrated."

Hayden shook his head, his eyes suddenly serious.

"That's awful," he said.

"No, they were pleasant enough, just nothing to write home about."

"I kind of want to find Sean, so I can kick his ass."

I laughed. "Oh, it wasn't him. Sean liked kissing fine. I always figured it was me. That I was defective or something."

Hayden put a hand on my cheek.

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