Page 45 of Don't Leave
I refuse to touch this problem with a ten-foot pole.
“Sorry, I don’t.”
I’m the last person who should be doling out relationship advice. This is the first time I’ve actually found myself in one and it’s turning out to be riddled with issues.
Ones I don’t know how to solve.
It occurs to me as I stare at my friend that I’m not alone.
CHAPTER 15
CASSIDY
Ninety minutes.
That’s how much time I have to hit the books before I’m supposed to meet Cole for a quick dinner. He has a hockey scrimmage tonight and Brooklyn and I are planning on being there to support the team.
I still haven’t worked up the courage to tell him that his mother is my therapist. I keep putting it off. How familiar does that sound?
Unfortunately, all too familiar.
And here I thought telling him about all the meaningless hookups and failing out of school would be the hard part. I’d really thought we were past all the secrets, lies, and omissions.
Turns out we’re not.
With one last glance at my phone, I turn off the ringer before shoving it back into my messenger bag. Then I head up to the second floor. There’s a quiet area buried behind the stacks. I always gravitate there because no one ever uses the space.
Imagine my surprise when I find someone camped out at the table I usually park myself at. Annoyance flares within mebecause I’m a creature of habit and I like sitting at what I consider to bemytable.
And no…there’s nothing weird about that.
Just as I’m about to stalk away, the encroacher glances up and skewers me in place with his blueish-gray gaze.
Luke.
As soon as our gazes lock, a smile curves his lips. “Hey, Cassidy!” He waves me over.
Something unwanted tightens in my belly as I hesitantly step toward him and lift my hand in an awkward wave. “Hey.”
He glances at the bag hanging off my shoulder. “You need a place to work?”
I glance around for an alternative, but there are none. There are only a few tables scattered around the space and they’re filled with students. “Yeah.”
He clears off part of the table closest to me. “You can work here if you want.”
For a moment or two, I shift uneasily, knowing in the back of my mind that Cole wouldn’t like the idea of us spending time together. If I’m being completely truthful, the feelings I have for Luke make me uneasy. I’m beginning to suspect they aren’t one hundred percent friendship. My life is already complicated enough without adding these unwanted feelings into the mix.
Deep down, I know the best thing to do is stay away from Luke until I have a better handle on my emotions where he’s concerned. I glance around, scanning the area for an open table.
Any open table.
Just one open table.
But there aren’t any.
“Cassidy?”
I gnaw my lip, unsure what to do.
