Page 98 of Don't Be in Love

“She said I’ve been acting differently: isolating myself at these events, going out when her and Mia are busy. Drinking coffee. Maureen even mentioned the cute guy that walks me home.”

Shit.So much for doing a good job at upholding my end of the deal.

“You hate coffee.” It came out more like a question.

She ran her fingers over her brow. “I haven’t been sleeping well.”

“Nightmares?”

“Something like that.”

“I can understand.” I nodded.

A pause.

“Do you like James?” I asked.

She turned in surprise. “Are you asking me if I like himromantically?”

I gave her a look that said,What else would I mean?

She waited for an answer.

“Do you enjoy torturing me?” I asked.

“I didn’t know James’s interests fell into the Torture category.”

“Not James’s. Yours.”

“Would it bother you if I liked him?”

“Not in the way you’re thinking.”

“And what way is that?”

The way that I’d never be completely happy for my best friend without also constantly craving touching his girlfriend. “That’s an answer you don’t get to know right now. Now answer the original question.”

“I don’t. James is just my friend,” she said softly.

The fluttering in my ears finally stopped.

“It was worth it, by the way,” she continued. “Experiencing this.” Her small smile was warm and thankful.

Before I could gather enough words to respond, we were back on the ground. I was clutching her hand so she wouldn’t trip when stepping out. After passing the attendant a tip, we were walking back over the bridge. Snowflakes collected on her scarf and hat, even sticking to her dark hair.

I tucked her hand back into my pocket to keep it warm. It was torturous, doing this to myself. But a voice at the back of my head was telling me to absorb as much of this as I could before she possibly rejected me.

“Was that rain?” She held out her gloved hand as if to catch something.

“What?” I was more focused on her hand in mine rather than the weather.

“The rain—”

Her words were cut off by buckets of rain colliding with the bridge and river. The snow that had been falling was quickly replaced by a downpour of rain. She yelped and tugged on my hand, pulling us into a run.

“Let me guess, no umbrella!” she shouted over the raindrops pounding the cold asphalt. The scarf flew across her mouth against the wind.

“It’s not likeyouthought to bring one!”