Page 24 of Bachelor

“Nothing,” she breathed. “It’s been total silence from them for weeks now.”

“I’m sorry, Whitney.”

She shrugged, trying to downplay her feelings even though her disappointment was written all over her face. “It’s fine. I can’t do anything about it.”

“I think you’re—” I paused, turning to face her. “I don’t think you give yourself enough credit for what you accomplished over the last four and a half years.”

Her half-smile gutted me. “Thanks, Rhys.”

“I mean it.” I wanted nothing more than to brush the stray lock of hair dusting over her cheek behind her ear, from refrained. “You’re incredible.”

She ran her tongue over her lower lip. “I thought we weren’t supposed to be doing this.”

“Doing what?”

“Being friends.”

I swallowed and nodded, stuffing my chilled fingers in my pockets. “I care about you a lot. I want you to know that.”

“I know.”

“I’d be your friend if you let me.”

“I don’t think I can,” she admitted, and her eyes went glassy for a moment before she sniffed and turned to the library. “I’ll see you later.”

“Good job today,” I said stupidly as she walked away. She gave me a little wave before disappearing into the library.

I stood there for at least a minute going over every word we’d said to each other. Had she felt the shift too? That we were past that stage of awkwardness and heartache, and could move on now, even be in each other’s company without it hurting?

I tore my gaze from the entrance of the library and walked back to my cottage to grab my gym clothes and spend another night wondering where I’d gone wrong and regretting losing my chance with her.

One my way to the gym half an hour later, my phone buzzed in my pocket. I stopped walking to check it and found a new email in my inbox.

I narrowed my eyes as I read it over, a strangely familiar feeling settling deep in my stomach as I looked up at who’d sent it, and to whom.

Chapter Nine

---