He holds up a bag, making his muscles flex, and my lungs constrict further. “I brought dinner.”
“How’d you know I was here?” I can’t help the smile spreading on my lips as I point to the chair in front of my desk. I’m just happy to see him, that’s all. Plus, I skipped lunch, so I’m starving.
“I stopped at your place first, but Harper said you were still here.”
He waits for me to clear space on my cluttered desk, then takes out several containers of Chinese food and lines them up in front of me. The tangy aroma of orange chicken makes my stomach growl and my mouth water. He knows that’s my favorite—because he’s my best friend, and of course, he would, right?
I open the container and inhale with a sigh. “I told Harper to go home and get some rest. We’ve been burning the candle at both ends, getting ready for the Fire & Ice event.”
He glances at me as he sets a paper bag holding egg rolls on the desk. “So…you’re really not avoiding me?”
A pang of guilt clenches my heart as I squirm in my seat. “No, not at all.”
He raises a brow at me.
“Really.”
Both brows lift this time.
I sigh. “Okay, maybe a little.”
He nods thoughtfully. “Because of the kiss?”
“BecauseIkissedyou,” I rush to clarify. “Yet you’re the one who apologized when I should have. I’m sorry.”
He doesn’t say anything, but judging by the tic in his jaw, I know I hit a nerve.
And that tells me everything I need to know. I crossed a boundary and should have said so sooner. “Wade, I don’t want things to be weird between us.”
His gaze softens as he studies me. “I don’t want that either.”
“Then, are we good? Because I really miss my best friend.” Even as I say the words, something settles in me. As much as the Puck Babes would argue with me, this is the right path. My head is still a mess from Chase. If I were to get involved with Wade like that, how would I know it’s real and not just me getting caught up in some fictionalized romance that exists only in my mind? Or worse, a rebound?
Guess I’ll be taking that dress back to the store.
“Sure.” Disappointment clouds his face. He grabs a pair of chopsticks and jabs them into the container of pork lo mein.
“Thank you,” I whisper. He has to see this is best for both of us, at least for now. I need to figure out what my heart really wants.
His expression remains tight as he stares at his food, poking the noodles but not eating. I can’t help but wonder if he’s thinking about his nana and the ranch. I’ve been so busy with the event, I didn’t make time to check on him. Or maybe I was afraid to.
I finish chewing a juicy bite of chicken. “I spoke to Piper yesterday.”
His gaze shoots up and connects with mine. “Yeah?”
Is that hope I see in his eyes? Does he think I have news or a solution to their impossible predicament? “She sounds resigned.”
His pained expression sends an ache through me, making me wish I hadn’t brought it up. He clears his throat and sets his container on the desk, pushing it away, untouched.
I can tell he wants to say something, so I nibble on an egg roll, giving him time to speak what’s on his mind. That’s the least I can do for him, for my best friend.
“I don’t know what to do.” He scrubs a hand over his mouth as if to wipe away an unspoken thought.
“Maybe you don’t have to do anything.”
Something hard flares in his eyes. “I can’t just let this happen.”
“Have you and your sisters discussed any options?”
