Page 55 of Beautiful Distraction

“It’s Riesling Hot Toddy,” he answers my unspoken question.“Warm white wine with honey, lemon, and cardamom. It’ll warm you.” He points tomy ankle. “Is it still hurting?”

I shake my head and find that at some point the throbbingmust have stopped. “No.”

“Good. You should be able to walk again in a few hours.”

“I hope so. I mean, I don’t want to impose. We’ve alreadyoverstayed our welcome.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Kellan says and sits down next tome. “Like I said, I enjoy your company. It’s a nice change.”

I bury my face in my drink, forcing myself to take slow,measured sips. It tastes delicious, sweet, and refreshing.

“Do you livehere alone?” I avoid his gaze as I ask the question, afraid to give theimpression that I care.

“I do.” A slight pause. “Do you live alone back in NYC?”

Just like before, he’s avoiding talking about himself.Either he’s the monosyllabic type, or he doesn’t want me to know too much abouthim. Either way, I find his evasive nature rude.

“I don’t.” I stare at him, unwilling to say more. If hewants to remain shrouded in mystery, then so do I.

The corners of his lips twitch. “I know. Mandy said you’vebeen living together since your first day of college.”

I grimace.

What else escaped her big mouth?

“She also said that you’re starting a new position next weekand that you have no time for relationships,” Kellan continues, seeminglyenjoying his advantage over me.

“I never said I didn’t havetimefor relationships. I just don’t want one.”

He nods, like he knows exactly how I feel. “Relationshipgone bad in the past?”

I take a deep breath and let it out slowly. Finally, I shakemy head. “Nope. Not really.”

It’s a lie.

Someone hurt me—bad—but I can’t tell him that.He wouldn’t understand, not when I’m sure he’s probably broken thousands ofhearts.

His brows shoot up in obvious interest. “Not eager to share?”

I shake my head again.

There’s no way in hell I’ll disclose my romantic past tosomeone like him. If I want to unburden myself, then I’ll listen to TaylorSwift songs to feel better about all the things that have gone wrong in mylife.

“I’m a good listener.” Kellan leans forward, elbows proppedon his knees, as though his physical proximity could prove his point.

I frown at his sudden interest. “Why do you even want toknow?”

“Because I like to know about my competition.”

A simple statement. Just like that, he seems to think aboutcompetition.

I laugh. “I doubt Kellan Boyd knows what competition is.”

“You’re right. I don’t usually have competition.” Hehesitates, which gives me the opportunity to regard him intently, trying hardto read the sudden shadow crossing his features. His green gaze seems a shadedarker. Troubled. And determined.

I clear my throat and look away when his fingers clasp mychin, forcing my eyes back to him. “I’m not afraid of competition, Ava.”

“I never believed you were.”

---