Page 50 of How to Break My Heart 1
Outside in the driveway, Everleigh struggles to keep up. “Why are you rushing us?”
“You looked uncomfortable,” I tell her, honestly.
“Iwasuncomfortable. They thought we were in love or something.”
I pause beside the car. “And you’re scared of love, romance?”
“Why are you so hung up on that?” She tilts her head with furrowed brows. “You said you’re not looking for a relationship.”
“I’ve spent my life around women who are so infatuated with relationships and meeting the right person. I’m finding it hard to grasp you’re not like everyone else. Not to mention your best friend is getting married. Doesn’t that evoke some sort of biological ticking clock?”
“I’mnotlike everyone else,” Everleigh responds sharply. “I would like to settle down one day, but I’m not looking for it. I want to have fun. What’s wrong with that? It doesn’t make me coldhearted or against romance.”
A smirk reaches my lips. “Fun is open for interpretation when you’re an adult.”
Everleigh crosses her arms, keeping her gaze focused on me. “Okay, so I’ll admit it. Sex is fun if it’s with the right person. It’s not my fault the last two guys were duds.”
The thought of other men touching her brings on a state of unrest. I glance away to calm my agitation, then say, “But you’re the common denominator.”
She slaps my arm, catching my attention. “I am not the dud! I want a man who makes me feel like vanilla isn’t the only flavor out there.”
I raise my brows, pausing to examine her face. So, thebeautiful woman standing before me doesn’t like vanilla. Howveryinteresting.
I open my mouth to question her, but she quickly interrupts. “We should head back. I have to run a few errands, then close up at three. Billie has an appointment with her mom, so it’s just me.”
Everleigh doesn’t allow me to say anything, impatiently waiting for me to unlock the car. When the car beeps,she opens the door and takes a seat.
She stares quietly out the window on our drive back to town. Not long into our ride, her phone pings with a text message. Everleigh quickly reads it, but almost as if she’s been caught doing something she isn’t supposed to, she rushes to put her phone back in her coat pocket.
I suspect it’s herfriend.
“Does the doctor enjoy vanilla?” I question with malice, tightening my grip on the steering wheel.
“I, uh… wouldn’t know,” she simply states.
It’s all I need to hear.
And with a satisfied smirk, I keep quiet for the rest of the drive.
When we reach the front of the café, I put the car in neutral but keep the engine running. Despite my reluctance to come back to Cinnamon Springs, there is something nostalgic about being in a place you grew up in. Sure, it’s nothing like Manhattan—the exact opposite, to be frank.
But sometimes change isn’t a bad thing.
“So, the music is checked off,” Everleigh says quietly, unable to look at me. “I’ve got the photographer covered at the end of this week. Actually, could you organize the cars for Maddy? I’m not into cars, but clearly you are.”
I nod silently.
“And that’s it.” She sighs, still avoiding my gaze. “See you around.”
She opens the door to get out of the car, leaving me no chance to say anything. Upon stepping out, her phone slides out of her coat pocket and onto my leather seat, and before I even have a chance to let her know, she slams the door shut.
I pick up her phone and read the message on the home screen.
Marco
I’m looking forward to seeing you tonight.
A burning sensation rips through my chest, causing me to slam my foot on the gas and take off without returning her phone. I almost run a red light, but then am forced to stop as a mother duck and her ducklings waddle across Main Street without a fucking care in the world. My hands grip the steering wheel until my knuckles are stark white, suddenly not caring for this small-town bullshit.
