“Don’t worry about.” Reagan tugged her robe tighter around her frame. “My friend will give me a ride.”
I studied her features.
How did I get this so wrong?
Tears pricked the back of my eyes, but I pushed them away with a force. No one would see me cry.Ever.
“I thought we could do breakfast, but I get it. I’ll call you, okay?” I said as I ran a hand through my hand.
Reagan said nothing, only a nod, as she followed me downstairs.
We said nothing and when I walked through the door, I turned around, her leaning on the doorframe. Her eyes gave me nothing, as if a wall came up, and the shield of ice around my own began forming again. This time, it’d be impenetrable.
“I had a great time, Reagan. I’m sorry if this moved a little fast. But when it feels right, I go with it. And I think you feel the same. Have a good one.” I leaned in to kiss her and she backed away. It was like she stabbed my heart with a knife. She offered me a smile and a hug, but I held a hand up before I turned and walked away.
As I drove home, I vowed then and there to never, and I mean never, let the shield of ice melt again.
What a fucking idiot I was.
“How did it go?”Elena asked, her concerned look burning into my backside as I pet Otis, busying myself with his attention in an attempt to stall.
“Great. It went great.”
“I knew it! Did you spend the night together?” Elena moved so she was directly in front of me. I straightened up and faced her head on. It was useless trying to deflect with her otherwise.
“No, I’m a gentleman.” I smirked, but Elena could tell I was lying.
She laughed and smacked me playfully on the shoulder. “Yeah, sure. Now tell me what really happened.”
“Okay, okay. I drove her home. She invited me inside and we had a good night.”
“And? That’s it? What happened this morning?”
I shrugged. “I told her I’ll call her.”
My sister’s shoulders fell. “That’s it? You’ll call her? What is this, high school?”
“What? I can’t take things slow?”
“Of course you can, but I suspect there’s something you’re not telling me.”
I looked away. “Will you stop reading me like a goddamn book? It’s exhausting.”
Elena burst into laughter. “I can’t ever stop. Now finish.”
“There’s nothing to finish, that’s it.”
“I don’t believe you. Spill it.”
“Fine. She got all weird when we woke up in bed together. Said she had an appointment and basically pushed me out the door.”
Elena’s posture deflated. “You’re kidding me.”
“I wish I were. We had such a great night, so it really threw me off. But it just reinforced what I already knew. I enjoy being a loner. Now, no more dates, okay, sis? Otis and I are good.”
Elena cocked her head to the side. “I’ll talk to her. She isn’t a rude person. I doubt she would kick you out without a good reason.”
“It’s all good, sis, please just leave it.”
