Page 51 of Break my Heart
“You better.”
I force a small smile and grab my bag before weaving through the crowded building. My heart slams in my chest with the need to distance myself from Hayes.
From the awkwardness and the rejection.
As soon as I push through the doors and step into the crisp evening air, a mixture of relief and sadness pumps through me.
“Ava, wait.”
I freeze as my pulse thrums in my ears. There’s no point pretending I didn’t hear him. With a sigh, I turn and find Hayes standing in front of me, his expression soft but unreadable.
“What do you want?” My voice comes out sounding sharper than intended. But I can’t help it. I’m hurt, and the last thing I want to do is show it.
“Can we talk?”
I cross my arms, as if it’s possible to guard myself from further pain. “What’s there to talk about? We hung out twice. That’s all it was.”
His jaw tightens, and for a second, I think he’s going to back off. Instead, he steps closer, his gaze locked on mine. “And here I’d thought it was more than that. Was I wrong?”
My mouth goes dry as my tongue darts out to moisten my lips. Refusing to answer his question, I fire off one of my own. “Why are you doing this?”
His brows furrow. “Doing what?”
I shift, impatient to get moving and away from him. Allowing him to get close was a mistake, and I’ve learned my lesson. I was an idiot for thinking he was anything more than a player.
“Acting like there’s something between us.”
“Because there is, and I want to spend more time together and see where it goes.” When he steps closer, bridging the distance between us, it becomes necessary to tilt my chin upward. “Is that something we can do?”
Air escapes from my lungs like a tire with a slow leak.
It’s a terrible idea.
Nothing good will come from spending more time with Hayes.
“I don’t know,” I mumble.
“What don’t you know?”
I force my gaze from his, hoping it’s enough to break the spell he’s woven around me. I don’t know how he does it. Every time we’re together, all rational thought flies out the window.
A few people walking by stare in our direction with interest. It’s just another reminder that this is Hayes Van Doren I’m dealing with.
“Why we’re bothering to do this,” I mutter as my cheeks heat.
He hikes a brow. “You don’t?”
With my lips pressed together, I shake my head. I don’t think I’ve ever felt more confused or conflicted in my life. But there’s something else buried beneath those emotions. Something I’d rather not inspect too closely. I’m afraid of what I’ll find if I do.
It’s a surprise when his fingers slip beneath my chin, and he turns it until I have no other choice but to meet the steadiness of his gaze.
“I like you, Tink. Maybe I haven’t done a good job of showing it, but I do.”
“Is that the reason you’ve been avoiding me?” The question shoots out of my mouth before I can reel it back in. The last thing I want is for him to think I care.
It’s painful to admit that I just might.
There’s a moment of silence, as if he’s mulling over the question.