Chapter Eight
SUTTON
I'm in the library, finally making progress on my forensic pathology paper, when someone drops into the chair across from me.
"Hey, Sutton."
I don't even look up. “You’re worse than an STD.”
"I don’t think about you enough to avoid you."
"Ouch." He leans back, all fake wounded pride. "I'm just trying to be friendly."
"We're not friends. I’ve said that. You need to get your hearing checked."
"We could be if you'd give me a chance."
I finally look at him. "Cole, I've told you multiple times I'm not interested. What part of that don't you understand?"
"I'm persistent."
"You're annoying."
"Potato, potahto." He pulls out his phone. "Listen, there's this great Italian place downtown. Let me take you to dinner. Just as friends. No pressure."
"No."
"Come on?—"
"I said no. How many times do I have to say it?"
"Until you mean it?" He winks and flashes what he thinks is a charming smile. It’s not. I want to throw my textbook at his head.
"I do mean it. I've always meant it. You showing up everywhere I go doesn't change that. It just makes you look desperate and creepy."
The smile vanishes. "You're being really rude right now."
"And you're being really obtuse. Leave me alone."
"Fine. Whatever." He stands up. "But when Hayes breaks your heart—and he will—don't come crying to me."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
He storms off. I shake my head in disbelief.
This is the fourth time this week. He’s been showing up everywhere. He never paid this much attention to me when we were together. He’s definitely veering into stalker territory.
Twenty minutes later, I'm nursing a latte with Keira.
I tell her about Cole. About how he won't take no for an answer. About how he keeps showing up and making comments about Declan.
"That's stalker behavior," Keira says flatly. "You need to tell Declan."
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"Because he's dealing with enough right now. He’s carrying the weight of the world right now. I don't want to add to it with my drama."
