Page 77 of Chasing the Sun
“Does this have something to do with Rachel, because…”
She flapped her hand dismissively. “No. Not at all.” Liar! “I still don’t think she’s your type, but it’s really none of my business.”
“Chloe…”
“I’m not done.”
He sighed, and she noticed a tick in his jaw, like he was biting down hard. Still, she forged ahead.
“I really like you. I do. And I love Molly. So, for the rest of my stay, maybe it’s best if we concentrate on being friends. What do you say?”
“Friends?” He looked like he’d just tasted something rotten.
“Yes. I mean, you like me too, right, so how hard can it be?”
He tipped his head down and rubbed the back of his neck, the neck that she’d nuzzled and kissed just a few days ago. She shouldn’t be thinking of that now, though. Not while she was only wearing a towel and he was sitting on her bed. Besides, she’d given this a lot of thought and decided it was the best solution for all of them. She figured he’d agree, but he still hadn’t said anything.
“Bryce?”
He popped his head up and narrowed his eyes at her. “Friends? Is that really what you want, or are you suggesting it because you think that’s what I want?”
She swallowed hard. “I think it’s for the best, for Molly and everyone.”
He stared at her for a few seconds, though it felt much longer than that, and then he stood up.
“Okay, then. Friends.”
She nodded and licked her lips. “Shake on it?” She stayed seated and extended her hand because she didn’t want to move and accidentally expose something. It wouldn’t be anything he hadn’t already seen, though.
He hesitated, but then he clasped her hand in his warm one and gave it a squeeze. She fought the urge to pull him forward onto the bed, and simply squeezed back instead.
He remained silent, yet he seemed in no hurry to leave. Then, in a surprise move, he lifted her hand to his mouth and kissed the back of it. Just that simple touch made her shiver, and she tried not to think about how much she loved his mouth on her.
All too soon, he let go, and she was left sitting there, regretting everything she’d just said.
“I should go,” he said, his voice sounding a bit gravelly.
“Yes.”
He turned away, and when his hand was on the doorknob, she suddenly remembered something.
“Wait!”
He turned back around, his expression questioning.
“You never told me what you wanted to say.”
“It doesn’t really matter.”
“Are you sure?”
“Positive. Good night, Chloe.”
“Good night.”
With that, he left, closing the door quietly behind him and plunging her into darkness.
Chapter 26
