“So,” he said simply. “This is a nice spot for a picnic, isn’t it?”
“Why are you still talking to me?” I demanded with my head buried in my knees.
I felt his body shift as if he was shrugging. “I dunno. It’s not that big of a deal to me.”
“Don’t you think I’m pathetic?” I demanded, snapping up to face him. “Look at me! I’m crying in a Walmart parking lot because I had sex with some loser, for god’s sake!”
Rafael blinked, playing casually with the car keys in his hand. “So?”
“Now you’re just making fun of me,” I growled, feeling anger rise in my chest.
“I’m not,” he said evenly. “I just don’t see what the big deal is. You had sex because you wanted to get pregnant. Lots of people do that.”
“You’re unbelievable,” I muttered.
He was looking down on me. I knew it. This easygoing attitude was just a facade. I wanted to get up and storm away from him, but my body felt like a soggy noodle and refused to move. Maybe if I pretended to pass out he would go away.
Actually, knowing him, he’d probably scoop me up and take me back to his place.
I meant for that thought to be scornful, but the traitorous, indulgent part of me wanted that so badly. I wanted to be taken care of right now. I didn’t want to sit here crying on some grass anymore.
“Tell you what,” Rafael said. “I drive you back to your place, you get that twenty dollar bill taped up good as new, and you spend the night binge-watching your favorite show. Hell, I’ll even buy you an ice cream on the way home.”
That sounded like a suspiciouslynormalplan. I narrowed my eyes at him, searching his gaze for some kind of ulterior motive.
But there wasn’t anything. He was just offering me an innocent ride home.
Just like any good friend would do.
I let out a long, exhausted breath. My emotions had caught up with me and worn me out.
“Make it a family-sized bag of chips instead of ice cream and we have a deal.”
6
Rafael
By the time we returned to Skylar’s apartment, the sun was creeping towards the horizon. Deep blue infused with pink and orange above us, giving everything a dreamy atmosphere.
I wordlessly escorted Skylar to his front step. He clutched a single plastic bag in his hand, weighed down by the huge bag of chips. I had no doubt he intended to consume the entire thing in one sitting, which was insanely endearing.
“So. Feeling a little better?” I asked. “I don’t want to leave you alone unless you are.”
A smirk appeared on his weary face. “Yeah. Thanks.” His gaze flitted down. “For everything today.”
I nodded. “Anytime.”
He hung by the front door, making no attempt to open it, but it didn’t seem like he wanted me to leave first either.
I wonder if he felt that gentle magnetized pull the same way I did.
It’s just your imagination, Raf,I scolded myself.
“Why don’t you come in for a bit?” Skylar asked.
“Won’t your roommate mind?”
“He’s still at work. And besides, he’s not the boss of me. I’m allowed to have people over.”
