Page 38 of Break my Heart
“The McNichols Special.”
There’s a beat of silence before she shakes her head. “Of course it is.”
“You might not have realized it since you’re new to Western, but Colby McNichols is pretty popular around here.”
She snorts. “Oh, it would be difficult not to notice.”
A prick of something foreign blooms in the pit of my belly. It takes a handful of seconds to realize what it is.
Jealousy.
It’s not a sensation I’ve experienced before.
I don’t like it.
Even more disconcerting is that it’s impossible to shake off.
What doesn’t make sense is that I’ve shared girls before and didn’t care one way or the other who they liked more.
So why is this strange emotion rearing its ugly head now?
With someone who’d prefer not to spend any time with me at all?
My brow furrows as I stare at Ava. The words shoot out of my mouth before I can stop them. “Do you have a thing for Colby?”
Her face scrunches. “Hardly. For one, I don’t date hockey players. And two, even if I did, he’s married to my friend.”
My rigidly held muscles loosen with that acknowledgment as I take a sip of my own drink and attempt to get this runaway conversation back on track again. “Don’t date hockey players, huh?”
“Nope.” With a shake of her head, she pops the P at the end of the word.
“Is that a firm stance or is there room to maneuver?”
“It’s impenetrable.”
I settle on my seat, all the while watching her carefully. “You know, I get the feeling you don’t want to be here.”
Her gaze flicks to mine as uncertainty flashes in her eyes. “It’s not that,” she says slowly, as if choosing her words carefully. “I’m just… not used to this.”
“To what?”
“To you.” With a shrug, she glances away. “You’re not what I expected.”
“Good surprise or bad one?” I ask, my voice softening.
She hesitates, her gaze meeting mine for a moment before darting away. “I’m still trying to figure that out.”
I lean forward, straining closer. “I can wait while you do.”
As Ava stares at me, I can almost see the walls she’s built start to crack. She’s unsure, still guarded, but there’s something else there, something that makes me believe I’m getting through to her, even if it’s only a little.
“You’re very persistent,” she mutters, taking another sip of her coffee.
I grin. “You have no idea.”
With a laugh, she shakes her head, as if she can’t quite figure me out. “I’m not sure what you’re after.”
I keep my gaze locked on hers and my tone serious. “I’m after you, Ava.”