Page 94 of Her Maine Reaction

“No, but you could have just brought her to my house. She’s one of Ally’s best friends, and could’ve have had company. I’m assuming you just left her alone all day while you were at work.”

“She was fine,” he says defensively. “And I didn’t want to plow down your mile-long driveway.”

“Bullshit. You just wanted her with you.”

“And so what if I did?”

Smiling, I tuck my knees to my chest, hope blooming in my chest.

“What do you plan to do next, Ry? Is she going home? Staying with you? What?”

“I don’t know. But it’s not like we’re dating. We’re friends. We’re just having fun. Her life isn’t here.”

My heart sinks to the floor so fast I think I might pass out. Just having fun? That’s how he sees this? Us? I thought…well…I thought we were more than that. Especially after last night.

“Are you sure that’s it? You took her on a date last night.”

“Of course you already know that.” Ryan sighs, and I can picture him rubbing the back of his neck as he stretches his head from side to side. “Thatisit, though. Trust me. I don’t see her that way. She’s just a distraction. A really good distraction, don’t get me wrong, but…” He trails off, not finishing his thought.

“If you say so, man.”

The sound of their boots starts moving away from us, and their voices sound muffled as they talk to Jim at the counter. My ears are going deaf to the world around me, and all I can hear is the blood rushing to my head.

My body is numb, and my eyes just stare straight ahead at the wall of paint tubes. What was a wall of colors before, is now just shades of grey to me.

He doesn’t love me. He doesn’t even like me.

He doesn’t see me as anything but a friend.

A friend he can kiss and fuck, but not one that’s good enough to warrant anything more.

We’re nothing.

The fact that I’m in love with him means absolutely nothing now. I’m just an idiot who fell for a man I knew I couldn’t have from the start.

I told myself repeatedly to not get attached. But did I listen? No, of course not.

Those mother fucking feelings crept into my heart and nestled themselves in deep.

Chapter 21

“Ash,” I hear Ally whisper next to me. “Ashley,” she repeats, grabbing my arm. “Ashley!” she says a little louder, shaking me out of my stupor.

“What?” I respond flatly, all emotion drained from me.

“Are you okay? You look like you’re about to either pass out or throw up. I can’t tell.”

“Both.”

“Come on, let’s get up.”

“I can’t move.”

“I’m going to kill Ryan. I’m going to go to prison because the sheriff is a little fuck boy. I’m going to have some words with Jake about what a dipshit his brother is. He can’t do this to my best friend.”

“Ally. Please.” I just need her to stop talking. She’s not helping in the least.

“Sorry. Right. Okay, well you need to stand up so we can get the hell out of here.”

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