Page 83 of Time To Learn

I can’t let that happen.

“Goodnight, Kristian,” I force the words through my lips, denying my body what it so clearly craves. I turn to walk back towards the house while I stillcan.

I’m not brave enough tostay.

“That night at the pub,” he calls out, making me freeze on the spot. “You saw me, didn’t you? You saw me with Hannah.”

I square my shoulders when I turn back to facehim.

“Yes.”

He runs a hand through his hair, his mouth turned down in an unhappy frown.

“I thought youdid.”

I wait for him to say more, but the silence drags out betweenus.

“It didn’t mean anything,” he sighs.

“Then why did you shag her?” The wind picks up, and irritated, I wipe my hair away from my eyes, needing to see him clearly when he answers. Wondering if he will tell me the truth.

He takes a step towards me but I retreat, and he stops as if I’ve burned him with a match.

“Because I was drunk, horny, and the one woman I wanted to be mine didn’t want me.” He wets his lips and sighs, exasperation clear as he lets out an unhappy snort. “Fucking story of my life,” he mutters, confusing me evenmore.

Frowning, I shake my head slowly.

“Sex should always mean something,” I reply softly.

Henods.

“It should, I agree.” As he scratches his chin, he seems lost in thought for a moment. “But sometimes, you have to use it as an escape instead.” He laughs, but the bitterness oozes, making my heart bleed forhim.

“So, what now?” he asks. “Did my having a one-night stand ruin any chance I might’ve had withyou?”

The earnest look in his eyes sends a shock through my system, causing my breath to catch.

“We’re friends, Kristian. It can’t be any other way between us—no matter how much I might wish for it to be different. It just can’t.”

He blinks and I swallow the tightness in my throat as he balls his hands into fists.

“What the fuck do you mean, Laura?”

I inhale a shaky breath, my heart pounding against my chest. Trying to stall for time, I wrap my arms around my waist and stare hard at the ground. When I finally feel as if I have my breathing under control, I look up. The hopeful gleam in his eyes almost makes me change mymind.

Almost.

“Only that, if I weren’t the woman I am today, I could so easily see myself falling in love with you, Kristian…madly in love, even. But I am who I am. Empty. I have nothing togive.”

His eyes widen, and scared I’ll give in—that I’m no longer strong enough to keep my distance—I turn my back onhim.

* * *

Kristian

Fuckit.

I can’t let her walk away from me just likethat.