Page 112 of Wish You Were Mine
“Hi,” he replied, his eyes cautious as he stepped closer.
We stepped outside together and walked in silence for a bit, the cool night air filled with the faint scent of pine and woodsmoke. I kept my gaze forward, trying not to let my brain run wild.
Had he changed his mind then? Did he regret how we’d left things Friday night?
Did he wish he hadn’t taken me home after all?
But instead of asking him any of those things, I turned toward him and stupidly asked, “Aren’t you worried about being seen with someone so young?”
The words tumbled out before I could stop them, and I instantly hated how insecure the question sounded.
“I still want to make sure you get home safely.” Owen glanced sideways at me, his jaw ticking slightly.
Okay, so…maybe he didn’t have any actual lingering feelings for me. Maybe this was just him being my self-appointed bodyguard of sorts.
So I just said, “Okay.” And then because I should probably be more grateful that he was going out of his way to still help me, I added, “Thank you. I-I appreciate it.”
We didn’t talk after that. Just kept walking side by side.
A few times, he opened his mouth like he was about to say something…only to shake his head, seemingly changing his mind and stopping himself.
When we reached the spot where we’d crossed the street to get to his car last time, I slowed, wondering if we might stop there so we could talk with more privacy.
But after only a second of hesitation, he kept going.
Past the intersection.
Straight toward my dorm.
So…no talking needed, I guess.We were just silent walking buddies tonight.
When we reached the sidewalk that led up to my building, I slowed to a stop, about to thank him again and head inside.
But before I could do that, Owen reached out and gently took my hand, saying, “Hey.”
My breath caught as he stepped a little closer and guided me off to the side, just behind a tree so we wouldn’t be as visible to anyone going in and out of the dorm.
“I’m sorry,” he said softly, his fingers still wrapped around mine. “For being so confusing with all my mixed signals. For probably hurting you last weekend.”
I looked up at him, and when I met his gaze, the sadness and regret I saw reflected in his brown eyes mademy chest ache.
“I didn’t mean to end the night like that,” he continued. “I’d actually planned on hanging out with you. Watching a movie. Just...being with you. I promise I really didn’t plan on getting all weird and freaking out.”
I let the words settle in, warm and painful all at once. But after a second, I tilted my head and asked, “But?” Because there had to be another shoe about to drop, right?
“I don’t know… There probablyshouldbe a but.” He exhaled slowly, his eyes meeting mine again, conflicted and raw. “But...I guess I’m still at war with myself. And I don’t really know how to navigate all of this. I’ve never been in a situation like this before.”
My heart clenched, becausesame.
It was a brand-new world for me, too.
“Well, I appreciate your apology,” I said softly, my gaze dropping to where his thumb was brushing gently over mine.
Why did something so small have to feel so impossibly good? Sparking some hopeful, stupid little flame inside me that I hadn’t quite managed to smother.
“And I also understand where you’re coming from,” I added, the words catching slightly in my throat. “This…is complicated. There’s a lot on the line if anyone found out.”
Having any kind of romantic relationship with me could put his entire career in jeopardy.
