Page 101 of After You Returned

I clear my throat in an attempt to buy some time. Lie, Hazel. Lie your pants off. Shit. I’m not wearing any pants.

“I… um…” Way to sound graceful. “Never mind.”

“Nope.” Miles pinches my chin. “I want to hear what has your mind spinning out of control this morning.”

“My mind isn’t spinning out of control.”

“And there isn’t steam coming out of your ears either.”

“Fine. I—”

My phone rings and relief slams into me at the interruption.

I start to stand but Miles pushes me back down. “I’ve got it.”

He swaggers to the kitchen counter, where my phone is plugged in next to his. Huh. I don’t remember plugging in my phone. And I certainly didn’t bring my charger with me.

“I bought an extra charger for your phone in case you ever needed it,” Miles answers my unasked question as he hands me my phone.

“You bought a charger?”

He taps my phone. “Don’t you need to answer?”

I glance at the display. Major Phillips is calling. I quickly hit ignore.

Miles frowns at my phone. “Why are you getting calls from a major?”

“He’s in charge of the physical therapy unit at the VA hospital.”

“Still trying to recruit you after you told him no?”

“I didn’t tell him no.”

Miles freezes. “What?”

“I haven’t turned down his offer yet.”

He rears back. “What?”

My brow wrinkles. “Why are you confused?”

“I thought you turned down the offer from the VA hospital.”

“Why would you think I turned it down? I haven’t made up my mind yet.”

He scowls. “You’ve been lying to me.”

“Hold on. I haven’t lied to you.”

“You led me on. You made me think you were staying.” He pushes to his feet and retreats to a corner of the kitchen.

I stand and follow him. “I haven’t been lying to you.”

He lifts an eyebrow. “You haven’t? You refuse to tell me you love me.”

My heart pounds in my chest. This is not the way I intended to tell him. During an argument about whether I’m staying on the island.

“I…” I trail off. I don’t know what to say.