His expression was still full of hurt and confusion. It was clear he wanted to say more. But Wynter couldn’t handle the barrage of questions he probably had. She was a terrible liar, and all it would take was the right question for Marcus to know how scared she was of him breaking her heart.
Marcus moved closer and reached out to her. She shook her head sharply. He’d ignored her request to drop the subject. This wasn’t going to end here if she didn’t put a stop to it.
“I’m sorry, Marcus. I think I should head home.”
His jaw worked, and he glanced around the rink. Then he nodded. “I can take you.”
“No. Don’t leave. Hang out with your family. I’ll catch an Uber.” Without waiting for his response, she skated toward the exit. Thankfully, Marcus didn’t follow.
11
MARCUS
Well, shoot.
Another screwup.
The regret that Marcus experienced when he saw Wynter take off at the rink was excruciating. He’d pushed her too hard. The worst part was that he knew he’d been doing it. He knew if he wasn’t careful that she’d end up running from him, and it would be that much harder to get her to open up to him.
There was something between them. He could feel it. He could see it in her eyes that she felt it, too. Marcus wasn’t a quitter, and that was why he’d shown up here again at her grandmother’s house to help out with the intention of making Wynter see reason.
“Not going to happen, Marcus.”
His next words died in his throat. He’d barely gotten out a hello when Wynter cut him off. “But?—”
Wynter stood near the refrigerator, her expression stern. She had her arms crossed, and she was as far away from him as shecould reasonably be while they were both in the kitchen. Her entire frame was stiff, unyielding. Between their moment at the rink and this moment right here, she’d shut down. All her walls were up, and she was poised and ready to defend herself.
“For Pete’s sake, Wynter, you can’t tell me you don’t feel it.”
“You’re right.”
For the second time in the last five minutes, Wynter had managed to make him speechless. He gaped at her. “I am?”
Wynter turned her gaze to her toes. They peeked out of her flannel pajama pants. “I’d be lying if I said that there isn’t an attraction. Of course there is. You’re…” She peeked at him and then regret flickered in her eyes. She yanked her gaze from him, clearly hating that their eyes had met.
“I’m what, Wynter?” He whispered the question and moved closer. But when she tensed, he stopped and waited.
“You’re… well, you’re you.”
“I’m… me?”
She groaned and stared at the ceiling. It was as if she needed to look anywhere but at him. Twirling her hand through the air, she gestured in his direction. “You’re the epitome of everything a girl wants.”
Everything a girl wants. But why didn’tshewant him? Marcus wanted to smile, revel in this particular confession. But he couldn’t. She wasn’t opening a window; she was shuttering the whole house against a storm. He didn’t have to hear the words. It was in her whole demeanor.
She must have seen something in his expression because she flushed deeply and looked away once again. “Yes, we have chemistry, but like I already told you, it wouldn’t be smart to cross that line into something more. We’re friends. We’re good at being friends.” She sent him a pleading look. “Please don’t ask me for anything more.”
His heart sank, but not because of her tone or what she was asking of him.
He felt sick to his stomach because he knew he wouldn’t be able to abide by what she was asking. This pull he had with her was like nothing he’d ever experienced before in his lifetime. He couldn’t let her go. Not again. Not ever.
“Marcus?”
He frowned.
“Can you do that?”
He dipped his chin and reached for the tool bag he’d brought with him. She needed time. That was all. He didn’t know how much time she’d need to come to the same realization he had, but he’d give it to her. Hopefully she’d figure it out before she planned to leave.
