Page 146 of Curvy Girl Summer

“Nothing else to say about what?” he questioned forcefully, continuing to move forward. “There’s nothing cool about this.”

I backed up with each step he took. He didn’t stop until I bumped into the desk behind me. My heart raced as his gaze pierced me. It was like he was reading me, listening to my thoughts. It felt like he was hearing what I wasn’t ready to say, and that made me uncomfortable. I wanted to look away, but I was stuck.

It was a bad idea to be alone with him.

When he broke the silence, his deep voice cracked with earnestness. “What are you doing to me?”

I pursed my lips but didn’t say anything. The genuineness in his eyes and the gentleness in his tone were trying to get to me. I shifted my gaze so I could resist. I refused to let him get me in my feelings.

“There are some things I should’ve told you sooner, and I’m sorry.” Cupping my chin, he turned my head so that our eyes met again. “But I’m sorry,” he repeated gently.

Swallowing hard, I nodded slowly. “Okay.”

“I should’ve told you I wasn’t married, but I didn’t think it mattered since you were on dates with other men.”

We were both quiet for a moment.

“And now you…”

My brows furrowed. “And now me?”

“Yeah.” He cocked his head to the side, and his hand fell from my face. “You don’t think I deserve an apology, too?”

My jaw dropped. I felt my blood pressure rise as the question hung in the air between us. My body was physically shaking. “You think I oweyouan apology?”

He looked taken aback. “Yes. You’ve been ignoring the fuck out of me—”

“I’ve been busy—”

“And you won’t even keep it real and tell me why—”

“We’re supposed to be friends!” I yelled breathlessly.

“Wearefriends!” he roared back.

I poked him in his chest. “Andthat’swhy!”

“I don’t know—”

“It doesn’t matter who I go on a date with, because we are friends.”

“It matters to me,” he growled, searching my face.

“Why does it matter?”

“Because you…” His voice trailed off. Bringing his face closer to mine, he exhaled. “Because you’re you.”

“And what’s that supposed to mean?”

His words were slow and deliberate. “I want better for you.”

“Better than what?”

“Better than the jackass you’re with. Better than any of the men you were with this summer.”

My heart thumped in my chest as I felt my resolve crumbling.

I need to get out of here.

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