My fingers shake as I type back.
I’m still game.
Good. Want to grab some brunch? I know a great place.
Brunch sounds great.
I’ll pick you up in an hour.
I set the phone down and sit on the edge of the bed, my pulse thudding in my ears. Behind me, Will shifts in his sleep, sighs.
I don’t know what I’m walking into. But I know exactly what I’m walking away from.
I’m slipping on my boots when I hear him stir.
The rustle of the blanket. A soft groan. Then his voice, rough with sleep, edged with something else.
“Where are you going?”
I freeze for a half-second, adjusting the strap on my bag. “Brunch.”
Will props himself up on one elbow, eyes still heavy-lidded but focused. “With who?”
His tone isn’t casual. Not even close. I hesitate just long enough for him to catch the truth before I say it.
“Nash.”
He sits up fully now, blanket pooling at his waist, tension rolling off him in waves. “Seriously?”
I glance at him over my shoulder. “He asked. I said yes.”
His mouth pulls tight, jaw flexing like he’s grinding back a thousand things he wants to say. “After last night?”
“That’s exactly why,” I say, voice low. “Because whatever that was? It didn’t change anything, did it?”
Will doesn’t answer. His silence is confirmation enough.
I turn to face him, hands curled around the strap of my bag like it’s the only thing holding me upright. “You kissed me, Will. You touched me like you meant it. But when the sun came up, you were back on the floor. Back to keeping your distance.”
“I was trying to respect you,” he snaps, standing now. Barefoot. Frustrated. Beautiful.
I shake my head. “No. You were trying to un-feel it. Just like always.”
He steps closer, but I don’t move. I don’t let him close the space unless he’s ready to fill it with something real.
“I can’t do this with you if you’re only willing to have me in the dark.”
He swallows hard, but I don’t wait for his answer. I’ve waited long enough.
The knock at the door breaks the silence like a final bell. I open it. And leave.
Nash smiles when he sees me, easy and warm, like the night before didn’t spin my world sideways.
“Morning.”
“Morning,” I say, managing a real smile.
“You okay?”
