He shakes his head once. "I've been in more uncomfortable positions."
I nod my head because I don't know what to say to that. “Why didn't you stop by Fantasy?"
"Because I didn't want to bother you at work," he says softly. "And at your own place you can send me away if you want to."
I take a step closer to him but it physically pains me when he takes a sharp step back.
Fuck.
"I would never send you away, Oak," I promise him.
He smiles thinly. Eyes casting away from mine as if he doesn't believe me.
"Please, come in," I'm all but begging as I yearn to be closer to him once again. "I'll even make you a cup of coffee."
He laughs but it's choked. "At nearly two in the morning?"
"It can be decaf," I offer.
He nods his head once and I feel as if I just won a small battle.
With my victory I take my key and open the front door. I leave it open behind me for him to follow.
Once I hear the door shut behind me I let out a breath of relief. I then walk through the family room and deposit my purse on the coffee table. I then drop my keys in the bowl on the island once I enter the kitchen.
I hear Oak following behind me but his steps are hesitant.
It breaks my heart further.
We never used to be like this.
There's tension in the air but not charged with the electricity we used to have.
It's strained, and I fucking hate it.
I try to make causal conversation, something I've never had to do with him, as I begin to make him a pot of coffee. "How have you been?"
I hear the stool being moved across the floor, and as I turn I see his big frame sitting on the small thing. His eyes meet mine for a second before he looks behind me. "I've been thinking," he responds vaguely. And it has me wondering if all I will receive is vague answers tonight.
I bite down on my lower lip and nod my head. I turn my back to him as I ask over my shoulder, "And what have you been thinking about?"
His voice is gruff as he responds with another vague answer, "A lot of things."
Why do I feel as if my heart is deflating like a balloon?
I keep my tone light and soft. "Care to tell me about one?"
He sighs, a heavy pained sigh that I can tell he's kept inside waiting to be released.
While the coffee is brewing I turn back to face him.
He looks so fucking exhausted. As if he hasn't slept in days. And yet still he's the most handsome man that has ever walked upon the earth.
Although an awkward tension that is strained lingers in the air between us it doesn't stop the magnetic pull that has me drawing closer to him.
I stop on the other side of the island, and I feel so close yet so far.
"Oak?"
