He gives me a tight smile, which makes my stomach sink.
You have to understand. I never wanted this…
Pressing my eyes closed, I let out a long breath.
I won’t let doubt win. He has an epic shit ton of worries, and his reticent behavior isn’t because of me.
“Samantha?” Toxic says, his voice soft. “I want to get to know you.”
Shrugging, I say, “Isn’t that what this is?”
“No, I mean…I want to know what makes you tick and what drives you forward. Where you want to go in life. ”
For so long, it had been protecting my inheritance and running my business. But now, there’s so much more. My life has opened in such a way that the possibilities seem endless.
“Well, I’ll tell you one thing, seeing you in that sexy police uniform the other day has been what’s getting me out of bed most mornings.”
He smiles shyly, but his gaze doesn’t meet my eyes.
Suddenly, I feel sick. Which happened a lot lately, but never for this reason.
Maybe our closeness made him rethink his feelings for me. Or maybe he never had any at all.
I’ve never felt the urge to drink as strongly as I do now, but I can’t. I have more than just myself and my chaotic emotions to think about.
There’s a lost look in Toxic’s eyes. What could he be thinking about? Whatever it is, it’s not good.
I steady my breathing and focus on the food that’s just been dropped off at the table.
“You look so damn pretty,” Toxic says.
I waggle my brow. “You’re not so bad yourself.”
“No, I mean it. You’re gorgeous. The moment I met you, I was blown away. After you left the bus that morning, I went to sleep each night imagining your green eyes. Something in me knew you were the one for me.”
“Do you really think that?” I ask him, desperate to believe his beautiful words.
“I did, and I want to. But I need to know who you are.”
How am I supposed to respond to that?
I guess with the truth. One day soon, I’ll sit him down and we’ll talk about my life, how my mother left, and the ever-looming threat of my stepmother.
“What’s your favorite show?” he asks.
“Would you judge me if I said Riverdale?”
“I haven’t seen that.”
“It’s a dumb high school drama. Carl would have a heart attack.”
He chuckles. “No kidding.”
“What’s yours?”
“Sunday morning cartoons. I can watch them all day, every day. I think about watching them with little droid, snuggled in bed, his hot momma bringing us popcorn and soda floats.”
“Sothat’swhat I’m doing in your dreams?”
