Hayden plops himself down on the floor, stretches his legs in front of him, and leans back on his hands. With a sheepish smile, he says, “I was in the neighborhood.”
I lower myself onto the floor and give him a skeptical look.
He sighs, his shoulders drooping. “Okay. Fine. I’m in desperate need of a distraction.”
“And what does that have to do with me?” I set the cup on the floor beside me.
“I really did want to thank you for yesterday.” He scratches the back of his neck, his attention roaming for a moment before locking on me again. “But I also realized your company distracts me from my problems, gives me a break from my…thoughts. Quiets my mind. I thought I’d ask if we could maybe hang out together from time to time.” He swallows, the roses tattooed on his neck moving up and down with his Adam’s apple. “If you say no, I’ll totally understand. There’s no pressure.”
I blink. His explanation gives some context for sure, yet… “When you say you want to hang out from time to time, what do you mean?”
“Just that. We hang out when you have time. Go out for lunch or dinner. Take a walk. See a movie. That kind of thing.”
There was a time in my life when a request like this from him would’ve knocked me on my ass. I would’ve given anything to be noticed by him. Now? I’ve been around long enough to know he’d never be interested in me, that he wouldn’t make a good partner for me, and with this pesky crush that won’t die, subjecting myself to more time with him is a straight line to heartbreak.Myheartbreak.
“I don’t know how we can make that work,” I lie.
He pops up one shoulder easily. “Are you still going dancing on Friday?”
I nod.
“Then maybe I can go with you.”
“Nastya will be there too,” I deadpan.
“Okay.” He tips his head to the side. “You think she’d be against it?”
Absolutely, but not for reasons I can say aloud.
“I’ll need to ask her.” I pick up my cup and take a sip. “We wanted to have fun, let loose a little. I thought I might meet a new guy.” I arch an eyebrow. “You sure you want to join our madness?”
“Why not?” He leans forward, smiling at me as if we’re conspiring together, his dark green eyes warm. “I can even be your wingman.”
I scoff. Right. Next, he’ll say he can help me teachSwan Laketo five-year-olds. “My wingman?”
“Sure. I can give you a man’s perspective on the guys who approach you. I could observe, screen your options, help weed out the jackasses before they even have a chance to ask you out.”
Laughter bubbles out of me. He’s fucking ridiculous.
“Let’s say I agree.” I straighten and then cross my legs. “You go dancing with Nastya and me, and then what? Are you going to sit at the bar and judge my potential dates based on how they act around me?”
“Yes.”
“What if someone recognizes you?” And they will, because he isHayden Hale. His face has been plastered all over socials and gossip blogs for months.
“I’ll tell them they’re mistaken.” The corner of his mouth tips up. “I’ll have zero bias, and I won’t be trying to impress anyone or meet anyone myself.”
“You’re not joking,” I conclude, horrified.
“Dead serious,” he says. “If I can give you some insight and help keep you from ending up with another stupid fucker, then I’m in. Plus, it will distract me from my issues.”
I open my mouth and close it. I don’t even know what to say.
The door creaks open, and two of the girls enrolled in my next class peek in. The moment they spot Hayden, they retreat.
Slowly, he gets up and holds his hand out. I let him pull me to my feet then instantly retract my hand. The number of butterflies assaulting my insides after that gesture alone is concerning.
He dips his head. “Think about it. Please.”
