Page 144 of His White Moonlight
“Yes, you do.You already know what he’s trying to do, so turn the tables.Hold his hand on the way home, then give him a hug and a kiss goodnight.There’s no point in avoiding him anymore, now that he’s already smelled that he physically turns you on.Meet all three of his requirements then tell him he doesn’t need to move with you this fall.”
“Shouldn’t I wait until the last minute to do that?”
“No.Waiting will give him hope.Doing it now, especially after what happened, will be more of a reality slap.Yes, you’re attracted, but not enough to give up your dreams.”
I thought about what she was saying all the way back to the building.
Bennett was waiting for me by the parking garage elevator.He had my dress draped over one arm and my shopping bag in the other.I glanced at the time.He wanted to leave forty minutes early?Fine by me.
“Thanks for the walk and the talk,” I said to Miranda.
“Anytime.Good luck.”
I walked over to Bennett.
“How can I hold your hand when both of them are full?”
His surprise and the way he quickly switched the bag to the other hand were almost comical.I took his hand, holding it and hating the way my racing heart gave away just how much I liked it.
When we got into the elevator, I pushed the button without releasing him.His thumb began to move against my skin.Little circles that felt good and made my heart skip a beat.
At the car, I checked the time.
“If I let go of your hand now, does that restart the timer, or can we pause while you put that stuff away and continue in the car until the time is up?Did we establish a goal time?”
The circling thumb stilled, and his mask slipped into place as I stared up at him.
“Why are you holding my hand, Wrenly?”
“It’s the first condition to leave for college without you following me.Why else would I be holding your hand?”
He let out a slow, measured breath.“Five minutes and it starts over when you let go.No matter the reason.”
“Okay.”I checked the time.“We’re not in a rush, right?We can wait two minutes.”
He let go of my hand and opened the door for me.
“Get in, Wrenly.”
I’d hurt him.On purpose.And I refused to let myself feel bad about it, even when I wanted to, because then he’d know, and I’d never be free.
Harden your heart, Wren.Life is mean.And you’ll only survive if you’re meaner.
After laying my dress in the back, he got in and kept his hands firmly on the steering wheel all the way home.I tried holding his hand again once we were in the house, but he said he had work to do and wouldn’t eat dinner with me.
His retreat didn’t surprise me.He’d regroup and be back.
However, he left me alone the remainder of the night.I ate dinner by myself and finished all my schoolwork.Bored, I messaged Sophia.
Me: Want to meet up for lunch again next week?
Sophia: How about this Saturday at my uncle’s club?You need to get out and have some fun.
Me: Saturday won’t work.I’m already committed to a charity dinner.
Sophia: That sounds…boring?
Me: It probably will be.But I promised.
