“Of course he is,” I said, unsure why my heart beat so fast. Charley almost looked disappointed in me. “I know that.”
“Then don’t get caught up in looks and who’s in who’s league. Some things go deeper than what’s on the surface. Lexi?” she said, giving me a sad smile. “Don’t let what Ashton did to you ruin this before it’s even started.”
“I won’t, I’m not. I just… I’m going to talk to him about trying this for real. It’s hard when I’m worried that one day, he’ll realize I’m not his type and walk away.”
“You have to trust he’s not that shallow. You’re one of my favorite humans, beautiful on the inside and out, but don’t let your head get so far up your ass you hurt him. That’s my only warning, and I won’t say another word.” She walked over and wrapped her arms around me in a tight hug. “I love you, Lex. That never changes.”
I squeezed her back, her words weighing heavy on me. They were the truth I needed to hear. “You too, Charley.”
She patted my butt and pulled back. “I’ll give you both two hours and then we’re going to the beach. I don’t care if you’re boning or not—you’re still hanging out with me.”
I snorted. “Never change, please.”
“Not in my plans, don’t worry.” She sauntered down the hall, and shadows danced under Will’s door.He must be up!My breath caught in my throat at seeing him face to face, and I busied myself with getting the eggs and bread out. Every sound made me turn around, and finally, after three minutes, he came into the kitchen wearing athletic shorts, shoes, and headphones.
God, his stomach was a work of art. I licked my lips only to meet his hard, icy gaze.Wait. Why is he looking at me like that?
“G-good morning,” I said. My mind reeled as I tried to figure out the cause of that cold look. “I’m m-making you breakfast.”
He looked at the pan then the shirt I took from to wear him before he clenched his jaw. “I’m going for a run.”
“Will, are you...upset?” I wrung my fingers together, on the verge of tears after seeing the cold way he looked at me. Even as friends, he never had this much anger in his eyes. “I wasn’t running away. I wanted some food.”
“We’ll talk after I run a few miles. I need the release.”
He didn’t stick around after that. He walked out of the condo, leaving me in absolute panic. He was done. He was done with me and wanted out but wasn’t sure how to tell me. I gulped and gripped the edge of the counter to not fall down. My eyes watered. I felt so stupid. It was a few days with him. That was all.
He’s my dream guy.
Nausea hit me, and I gagged, taking a long breath to pull air into my lungs. I knew us fooling around wouldn’t last. I wasn’t his typical girl and to think we could be more was foolish and naïve. Sex must not mean feelings to him like it did to me.
I was a fucking idiot.
Wiping my eyes and blowing my nose, I put away the food with shaky hands and grabbed a granola bar before retreating into my room. Charley said this was on us if it went badly, and well, I didn’t expect it to happen so soon, but she was right.
I let myself get too deep with him way too fast, and I had to pull it together. When we got back from vacation, I’d tell him he was off the hook. He could be my New Year’s kiss, my holiday fling, but that was it. That’s all I would get from him.
* * * *
The knock on my door sent a bolt of dread straight to my heart. I wore my swimsuit and coverup with a large hat, and I had braided my hair down the side--but most importantly, I plastered a large fake smile. “Hey Will, you have a good run?”
“Not really.” He scanned my outfit and flared his nostrils twice before he winced. I held up a hand, stopping him before he could utter the words to break my heart further.
“There’s no need to say anything, really.” My hand shook, so I crossed my arms instead. “I understood this was a temporary thing, a fun, sexy moment between us, but I’m under no illusions this was real. So, don’t worry about ending it or hurting me. I’m fine with what happened and hope we can still be friends.”
There, I said it.I smiled despite the urge to cry and waited for him to respond.
He ran a hand over his jaw, his sweaty and bare stomach still on display, and he shook his head. “That’s what you think?”
“Y-yes,” I said, standing straighter and holding his gaze.
“Fine.” He swallowed, gave me one long look that made me clench my legs together, and he left for his room. Before he got all the way out the door, he put a hand on the frame and shook his head at me. Disappointment rolled off him in waves. “You were so worried aboutgetting hurt that you damn well made sure you hurt me first.”
The shock of his statement turned my blood to ice. “Wait,” I said. There was no way… how could he think that? He was the one who ran out after glaring at me. “Will…”
“No, you said what you felt, and I did too. I’m done.” He pressed his lips together and looked so sad. An entirely new wave of regret numbed me as he went into his room and shut his door.
He thought I hurt him? How was that possible? I fell onto my bed, confused and upset at what the hell happened. Last night was special, something I’d never forget, and this morning was awful. Will meant more to me than just a hook-up. He’d been a part of my life for decades, so it was unacceptable for us to end with hurt feelings and confusion.
